posible cheep alternate stocking tank??? 4 tanks one canister filter

[iamvictor2k]

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what do you think??? canister filter intake on the small section output on the large. you could alternate the filter holes for better flow. any suggestions?
stupid idea???

[FastFly67]

I don't think any fish would want to live in that tank.

[prasanna]

yup its stupid!lol!

[Sploke]

Interesting idea, but I'm not really sure what purpose it serves or what problem its trying to solve?

[prasanna]

btw what fish are u planning to keep in that tank?

[FastFly67]

Interesting idea, but I'm not really sure what purpose it serves or what problem its trying to solve?
Being cheap.

[piggy67]

Its not a stupid idea. Its not very practical as the space seems limited. What are the dimensions of the tanks?

[dundadundun]

looks like a bear to maintain...

[CWO4GUNNER]

From my perspective it looks like a uniquely divided main tank where you have placed stack-able dividers that provide both a substantial amount of living space and viewing of the specimens.

Seems like a worthwhile idea to try, only thing is I would make the dividers removable not permanent for ease of cleaning and so you can get the fish in and out.;)

[Sploke]

But what is the advantage over much simpler, easier, probably cheaper, and less-prone to failure standard vertical dividers?

[iamvictor2k]

But what is the advantage over much simpler, easier, probably cheaper, and less-prone to failure standard vertical dividers?

the ability to house fish that swim side to side not up and down. try putting some balla sharks in a tightly divided vertical storage tank. also better filtration. and posibly the ability to house more hiding spots for specific types of fish that require it. happier fish = better selling product happier customers and less dead on arrivals and less return fish and possibly a longer guarantee time.

[Sploke]

So if you have fish in all 4 levels and a customer wants a fish on the bottom level, how do you get it out? Do you lift all three tiers up and let the fish flop around in the now considerably compressed areas in between the tiers, or do you catch them all?

[iamvictor2k]

Its not a stupid idea. Its not very practical as the space seems limited. What are the dimensions of the tanks?

i was thinking about using a tank size of 75-150 gallons. you can get these tanks very cheep on craigs list all the time. it also allows us with minimal space to have just a few of these tanks in tight areas and still be able to have a large stock of what ever fish we would like. it can also be modified to 2-3 tiers depending on the height of the fish. imagine the space saved with 1 125 gallon verses 4 30 gallon tanks if you have 3 125's that would be 12 30 gallons. im pretty sure you are going to get a better deal on 3 125's vrs 12 30 gallons. and i know i dont have the means or the space to house 12 30 gallons. let alone all the money you will spend on building custom stands for all of them.

[iamvictor2k]

So if you have fish in all 4 levels and a customer wants a fish on the bottom level, how do you get it out? Do you lift all three tiers up and let the fish flop around in the now considerably compressed areas in between the tiers, or do you catch them all?

depending on how many they would like. normally 1-3 you would only need to put the net in the open hole at the top move the net down to block the majority of the open space under the tiers and scoop what you need. if you need a large quantity then yes you would have to lift the tier segments and crowed the fish temporarily.

[iamvictor2k]

i havent attempted this yet and am looking for things that i havent thought of yet and i appreciate your comments please keep them coming

[Sploke]

The problem is that all 4 dividers won't be able to be the full width of hte tank, if you have supports siliconed onto the sides of the tank. Say the tank is 18" wide, then the top horizontal piece could be 18" wide, but the supports underneath would stick out from the wall, so you might be left with 17 or 17.5" of width for the next tier, since you would have to be able to hinge it up past the supports from the horizonal divider from the first tier. The supports would that one would stick out further, etc etc, so it would present an additional issue to keep all the levels sealed from each other.

[iamvictor2k]

The problem is that all 4 dividers won't be able to be the full width of hte tank, if you have supports siliconed onto the sides of the tank. Say the tank is 18" wide, then the top horizontal piece could be 18" wide, but the supports underneath would stick out from the wall, so you might be left with 17 or 17.5" of width for the next tier, since you would have to be able to hinge it up past the supports from the horizonal divider from the first tier. The supports would that one would stick out further, etc etc, so it would present an additional issue to keep all the levels sealed from each other.

i had thought about that issue and my conclusion was to glue the supports underneath each tier and have each tier support itself on each tier all the way to the bottom of the tank. problem solved. chaching!

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[dundadundun]

there will be a lot of kinks to work out of that system as i see it. for instance, raising a level or 3 will necessitate a place for the water to go. if you lift it too fast water will lift over the sides with it. if you remedy that it'll either be with large holes that some fish/fry might get through or with the same holes with mesh or media that needs extra maintenance. it just seems like too much hassle. first you have to design and build it... then work the kinks out and then the maintenance involved will be somewhat unique... and that's if you're not pouring water on the ground every time you open the tank.

i can see solitary bottom feeders struggling to stay out of the light and swimming toward the shallower end as the level is raised only to tumble down back into the small area left that may still contain water.

i just don't think i could bring myself or my fish to be subjected to this project. idk, maybe i'm just mentally incapable and i'm not seeing something.

[iamvictor2k]

there will be a lot of kinks to work out of that system as i see it. for instance, raising a level or 3 will necessitate a place for the water to go. if you lift it too fast water will lift over the sides with it. if you remedy that it'll either be with large holes that some fish/fry might get through or with the same holes with mesh or media that needs extra maintenance. it just seems like too much hassle. first you have to design and build it... then work the kinks out and then the maintenance involved will be somewhat unique... and that's if you're not pouring water on the ground every time you open the tank.

i can see solitary bottom feeders struggling to stay out of the light and swimming toward the shallower end as the level is raised only to tumble down back into the small area left that may still contain water.

i just don't think i could bring myself or my fish to be subjected to this project. idk, maybe i'm just mentally incapable and i'm not seeing something.
????????????????????

[Sploke]

I'm still not convinced that this is a solution to a problem that actually exists. Most pet stores just use 33 longs, 55s or larger to hold big fish (i.e. balas in your example), so I don't see what would be gained by adding the complexity of the several layers above the bottom. Having worked in a fish store, I think you would be hard-pressed to pass this off as a viable idea or even a useful addition to the display tanks.

[The Zigman]

Been tossing around a similar idea, but have a waterfall tier 4 tank design in mind..

something like the drawing below. the water would waterfall into the center section, which could be the heater and canister intake, or a mini sump setup, then from there into the two outer partitions...

I don't usually share my ideas for this kinds stuff..

[Sploke]

I've seen setups like that before Zig, except the ones I saw went from one end to the other instead of from each end toward the middle. I saw another one that was arranged in a square pattern too that was pretty interesting.

[cellodaisy]

If I understand this correctly, the goal is to create a divided tank with plenty of horizontal swimming space. What about using vertical dividers across the width of the tank?

Instead of this...
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...do this:
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Would that accomplish what you're trying to do? Much less interesting than your solution, of course, but probably cheaper and easier to implement.

Or you get get some of those really shallow tanks designed for corals and set them up on short shelves.

[platytudes]

If tanks with dividers worked well, I would think more LFS would use them.

You would have to use something besides plexiglass I think, probably more like a mesh. If not that, then you would need to drill lots of holes on the plexiglass just to let the water flow through. Otherwise you're going to get huge resistance from the water pressure, plus circulation won't be very good.

Unless the tank were very very deep, only two lengthwise dividers would fit, I think. Even a deep tank like a 75 gallon is only going to give you about 11 inches each, if divided once.

I would think it would be much easier to get a dual 75 gallon stand and use two vertical dividers on each one. If this is a retail system we are talking about, 2' of space is plenty for a short time. Putting two 75 gallon tanks on a dual stand might make the clearance very tight for the tank on the bottom, but a DIY stand built with this in mind specifically would remedy that.

[Mgamer20o0]

this is highly stupid. how are you going to stop dead spots? what if something dies? you basically will have to tear the whole tank apart to get to things. dont thing feeding will be super easy. if you want 4 tanks and one filter just set up a rack with a sump on bottom.

[247Plants]

:popcorn:

[cellodaisy]

Unless the tank were very very deep, only two lengthwise dividers would fit, I think. Even a deep tank like a 75 gallon is only going to give you about 11 inches each, if divided once.

Yeah, I wasn't trying to make a scale drawing or anything, just a quick sketch because I didn't think I could explain myself very well. I actually do see this kind of divider at my LFS---they divide their feeder fish tank into two long compartments. I'm not sure how the water flows between them, though.

I think a plexi or glass divider with large openings for foam sheets/blocks would work.

[iamvictor2k]

I'm still not convinced that this is a solution to a problem that actually exists. Most pet stores just use 33 longs, 55s or larger to hold big fish (i.e. balas in your example), so I don't see what would be gained by adding the complexity of the several layers above the bottom. Having worked in a fish store, I think you would be hard-pressed to pass this off as a viable idea or even a useful addition to the display tanks.

no no def not display tanks. im talking about getting my feet out of the water and on to the ground with as little over head as possible. if i were to start a fish suppler store online/local fourms. i mean for the beginner I think it would be a very cheep and officeant way to start. of corse upgrading later for foot trafic.

[iamvictor2k]

Been tossing around a similar idea, but have a waterfall tier 4 tank design in mind..

something like the drawing below. the water would waterfall into the center section, which could be the heater and canister intake, or a mini sump setup, then from there into the two outer partitions...

I don't usually share my ideas for this kinds stuff..

cool! wont be able to keep fry very well but your probly not concerned with that. what will that do difrently than having vertical dividers and left to right water flow?

[iamvictor2k]

If I understand this correctly, the goal is to create a divided tank with plenty of horizontal swimming space. What about using vertical dividers across the width of the tank?

Instead of this...
127069

...do this:
127070

Would that accomplish what you're trying to do? Much less interesting than your solution, of course, but probably cheaper and easier to implement.

Or you get get some of those really shallow tanks designed for corals and set them up on short shelves.


hey better than my idea. ill have to hook that up. ill draw it out and let you know what i come up with. thanks.

[iamvictor2k]

this is highly stupid. how are you going to stop dead spots? what if something dies? you basically will have to tear the whole tank apart to get to things. dont thing feeding will be super easy. if you want 4 tanks and one filter just set up a rack with a sump on bottom.

you are missing the whole point. cheap! space saving!

[iamvictor2k]

If tanks with dividers worked well, I would think more LFS would use them.

You would have to use something besides plexiglass I think, probably more like a mesh. If not that, then you would need to drill lots of holes on the plexiglass just to let the water flow through. Otherwise you're going to get huge resistance from the water pressure, plus circulation won't be very good.

Unless the tank were very very deep, only two lengthwise dividers would fit, I think. Even a deep tank like a 75 gallon is only going to give you about 11 inches each, if divided once.

I would think it would be much easier to get a dual 75 gallon stand and use two vertical dividers on each one. If this is a retail system we are talking about, 2' of space is plenty for a short time. Putting two 75 gallon tanks on a dual stand might make the clearance very tight for the tank on the bottom, but a DIY stand built with this in mind specifically would remedy that.

circulation is all in the setup, i have an idea that i will draw up that will make her linghth wise tank dividers work well. still trying to get as many diffrent types of fish comfortabley in a small area. 2 75's for 4 diffrent fish just dont do it for me. look for updated drawing tomorrow.

[Mgamer20o0]

i was thinking about using a tank size of 75-150 gallons. you can get these tanks very cheep on craigs list all the time.


you are missing the whole point. cheap! space saving!
you just said the tanks are cheap. so get 3 and put them on top of each other. better then trying to split up the tanks that way.... worse case put on divider so you split it in two but vertical.

if i were to start a fish suppler store online/local fourms. i mean for the beginner I think it would be a very cheep and officeant way to start. .
ok how will you get all these fish out when they swim to the other side you cant get too? if you are doing anything but growing the fish out your self you put fish from a few sources one gets sick they infect them all.

[iamvictor2k]

you just said the tanks are cheap. so get 3 and put them on top of each other. better then trying to split up the tanks that way.... worse case put on divider so you split it in two but vertical.

ok how will you get all these fish out when they swim to the other side you cant get too? if you are doing anything but growing the fish out your self you put fish from a few sources one gets sick they infect them all.

not being mean but i think you should go back and read the thread. and if you have read it you should probly read it agen. all points you are bringing up have already been talked about and drawn and shown. thanks for the input though.
the sick thing. i mean if you have fish in one tank isnt it a granted with every new fish you get you run the risk of affecting the others. mabey we just shouldnt put any new fish in any of our tanks."its safer that way"!!!!!!!!!!

[cellodaisy]

hey better than my idea. ill have to hook that up. ill draw it out and let you know what i come up with. thanks.

Glad I could help. :)

[mellowvision]

this mite jus be yer bestest idear evar.

[jetajockey]

if you are trying to start something on the cheap then just stay on freecycle and craigslist till you come across a really great deal. I recently found a guy that is letting go of around 75 tanks (mostly 40g breeders) for 20/e, I'm going to go take a look at them this weekend :)

I understand you are trying to do something that saves space etc, but honestly how much LFS stuff you wanna do if its a royal PITA every time you have to do your daily maintenance?

If you are trying to save space, I suggest a cheaper/easier method is to get several tanks and build a stacking rack for them, then all you need is a stepladder, and most of your tank area is occupying empty vertical space.

[Ozymandias]

not being mean but i think you should go back and read the thread. and if you have read it you should probly read it agen. all points you are bringing up have already been talked about and drawn and shown. thanks for the input though.
the sick thing. i mean if you have fish in one tank isnt it a granted with every new fish you get you run the risk of affecting the others. mabey we just shouldnt put any new fish in any of our tanks."its safer that way"!!!!!!!!!!

going to defend Mgamer here but most people suggest quarantining new fish for a while so you know thay aren't bringing in anything new to the tank. even MJ does this and lets her new stock sit in quarantine tanks for a good bit to make sure there alright. not saying most people do this in fact a lot don't even i don't do this solly because of space. but it does help prevent diseases and parasites, and this is especially critical when dealing in fish you are going to be selling. one little thing can go wrong and wipe out a large percentage of your stock.

i actually think you're over thinking this, you could easily build a racking systems with smaller tank and use a homemade sump to filter with it. now this is assuming that you are willing to use something other than the canister filter. this doesn't solve the fact that if you add new fish with a single sump design you still risk all of your fish getting it. so ether way you should probably be setting up quarantine tanks.

another idea is setting up a big air pump and using sponge filters in a bunch of tanks. this is probably the cheapest alternative to be honest. if you still want to build it go for it but i feel you're original design is going to be impractical really. Cellodaisy's is better but i think it still leaves something to be desired for.

[iamvictor2k]

going to defend Mgamer here but most people suggest quarantining new fish for a while so you know thay aren't bringing in anything new to the tank. even MJ does this and lets her new stock sit in quarantine tanks for a good bit to make sure there alright. not saying most people do this in fact a lot don't even i don't do this solly because of space. but it does help prevent diseases and parasites, and this is especially critical when dealing in fish you are going to be selling. one little thing can go wrong and wipe out a large percentage of your stock.

i actually think you're over thinking this, you could easily build a racking systems with smaller tank and use a homemade sump to filter with it. now this is assuming that you are willing to use something other than the canister filter. this doesn't solve the fact that if you add new fish with a single sump design you still risk all of your fish getting it. so ether way you should probably be setting up quarantine tanks.

another idea is setting up a big air pump and using sponge filters in a bunch of tanks. this is probably the cheapest alternative to be honest. if you still want to build it go for it but i feel you're original design is going to be impractical really. Cellodaisy's is better but i think it still leaves something to be desired for.

i agree with your statement. i am going to redraw the design. i always quarterfinal also. you still run the risk of introducing every time you add fish though. even watching your fish for 2 weeks in quarantine and then introducing them 3 weeks later your others get sick. you had this problem??? i have. quarantine helps but isnt foolproof.

[The Zigman]

Go to petco and look at the tank they keep feeders in.
It is exactly what you are looking at designing now.

[Star_Rider]

:popcorn:
interesting.

waiting to see the newest ideer

btw, nothing is fool proof.. but qt is effective at reducing issues. personally I QT for a minimum of 4 weeks. generally, most issues will manifest within that time period.

if a problem arises deal with it and start QT over.

[iamvictor2k]

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[Mgamer20o0]

thats a lot better option though i would think about doing only 2 sub sections 3 doesnt leave much room. also think about pulling fish out of 6 inch wide but 24 inch deep.

[Sploke]

Those compartments are roughly 20gal each. With a three tiered rack, two tanks per level, you could use 20gal longs and get just as much volume with less footprint, and it would be a ton easier to deal with. Figuring an average of $1 per gallon for used tanks, it wouldn't be any more expensive either.

[iamvictor2k]

Those compartments are roughly 20gal each. With a three tiered rack, two tanks per level, you could use 20gal longs and get just as much volume with less footprint, and it would be a ton easier to deal with. Figuring an average of $1 per gallon for used tanks, it wouldn't be any more expensive either.

running a sump and drilling tanks and running hose and building custom stands and wasting space by allowing clearance over top of each tank makes it alot more expensive and alot more foot print.

[iamvictor2k]

thats a lot better option though i would think about doing only 2 sub sections 3 doesnt leave much room. also think about pulling fish out of 6 inch wide but 24 inch deep.

depending on the fish depends on how many segments you will need. they are custom tanks so make them how ever you want. a diy net and scrubber shouldn't be hard to make to adapt to the tank i would think. thanks for your input.

[iamvictor2k]

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[dundadundun]

there will be a lot of kinks to work out of that system as i see it. for instance, raising a level or 3 will necessitate a place for the water to go. if you lift it too fast water will lift over the sides with it. if you remedy that it'll either be with large holes that some fish/fry might get through or with the same holes with mesh or media that needs extra maintenance. it just seems like too much hassle. first you have to design and build it... then work the kinks out and then the maintenance involved will be somewhat unique... and that's if you're not pouring water on the ground every time you open the tank.

i can see solitary bottom feeders struggling to stay out of the light and swimming toward the shallower end as the level is raised only to tumble down back into the small area left that may still contain water.

i just don't think i could bring myself or my fish to be subjected to this project. idk, maybe i'm just mentally incapable and i'm not seeing something.


????????????????????


looks like a bear to maintain...

got it now? if that's your response...

:popcorn:

[iamvictor2k]

got it now? if that's your response...

:popcorn:
not understading what you are saying. got what now??? as far as the water overflowing you make the dividers sligltly lower than the tank. if you have over flow o well it will go over to the other dividers. no problem there. as far as kinks i see none. the pic above is the comparison of how much wasted space there is with 20 longs. and what will be dificult about maintaing the 125 with dividers??? it would be like maintaining 6 20 gallons.

[verbal]

Your original idea gave me an idea. In the Chesapeake Bay blue crabs are kept in shallow wide containers. I wonder if it would be possible to stack similar shallow containers to accomplish your goal of increasing fish storage in the same cubic space. Get access to fish would be the tricky part.

[Star_Rider]

127154

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why not use this design and use sponge filters?

[cellodaisy]

as far as the water overflowing you make the dividers sligltly lower than the tank. if you have over flow o well it will go over to the other dividers. no problem there. as far as kinks i see none. the pic above is the comparison of how much wasted space there is with 20 longs. and what will be dificult about maintaing the 125 with dividers??? it would be like maintaining 6 20 gallons.

I think dun was referring to the original drawing with hinged, horizontal compartments.

[247Plants]

127179

This isnt exactly a good comparison. You dont take into account front to back space.

If you turn the 20 gallons sideways, you can fit a lot more per shelf.

No input for your tank design though.

[iamvictor2k]

why not use this design and use sponge filters?

that is what was stated. the inserst will have spounges in them. check out this post for what i will be using. by the way i have these spounges in all my tanks now. they requier weekly cleaning but filter extreamly well. http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223376

[iamvictor2k]

This isnt exactly a good comparison. You dont take into account front to back space.

If you turn the 20 gallons sideways, you can fit a lot more per shelf.

No input for your tank design though.

it is alot harder and take alot more time to fined that many 20 longs to fill the space than it would be to fined the 2 125's used. could try drawing them up sidewase and see what happens. I still think 125's will be the better option as far as head space being wasted and money saved on building stands and money save on pipe and sump and so on and so forth.

[cellodaisy]

It sounds to me like both setups have their pros and cons. I say go for it and post lots of pics! :D

[Star_Rider]

that is what was stated. the inserst will have spounges in them. check out this post for what i will be using. by the way i have these spounges in all my tanks now. they requier weekly cleaning but filter extreamly well. http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223376
I see

was thinking even simpler but very effective

air driven sponge filters

like this

http://www.aquariumguys.com/aquarium-sponge-filters.html


one for each section divide the 125 into separate sections

[iamvictor2k]

I see

was thinking even simpler but very effective

air driven sponge filters

like this

http://www.aquariumguys.com/aquarium-sponge-filters.html


one for each section divide the 125 into separate sections

could but i like canister filters better. some one else might like that idea better and set it up.