<![CDATA[Aquaria Central - Freshwater Equipment, Products, & DIY]]> http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/ en Sun, 26 May 2013 06:49:20 GMT vBulletin 10 http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/images/misc/rss.png <![CDATA[Aquaria Central - Freshwater Equipment, Products, & DIY]]> http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/ Platform 55G Tank Bed Project - v. 1.0 http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?272476-Platform-55G-Tank-Bed-Project-v-1-0&goto=newpost Fri, 24 May 2013 09:34:24 GMT After a week of mourning the death of my Mbuna tank, I've decided to start up a project thread for something I've been working on this past half-year. Originally, these plans were created months ago to coincide with the 55G Mbuna tank, but I have horrible luck in this hobby.... However, I have brought my Dad in on the project, and his background in architecture is proving to be a great benefit. Currently, all the wood is being purchased and cut to size (when I'm not working at my job). Also, instead of rushing this project, I am going slow so as to prevent any problems, as well as reverse some of my bad luck in this hobby. As always, comments and advise are welcome! Attachment 207141 These are my (horribly) drawn out plans. My Dad is currently working on the actual, numerically correct version of the blue prints. All in all, the project is essentially a headboard/platform/stand/side-tables all in one. All of the various pieces will be connected, but can be removed for tank/equipment access among other things. The time frame for this build is 2 months, with a total budget of $1000 dollars including the tank. A lot of the lumber right now is being bought used to keep costs down, as I'm a relatively "cheap" guy. Ideally, the whole project will come in under $600. Of course, I have also included in the design a hidden door with access to the tank's equipment, etc which will be located behind the bed itself. I haven't had any furniture in my room for a little over 3 years (well, I have a futon mattress and a stand :-/ ) and I'm excited to have an actual piece of furniture, especially with it being outfitted with an aquarium. Seeing as I work early this coming morning, this is all I will be posting for now. I just couldn't wait any longer to post! Lots of details, stats, and a progress report tomorrow night. Please comment, for the good or for the worse. I'd love to see what everyone thinks!


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app ]]> Zbbal http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?272476-Platform-55G-Tank-Bed-Project-v-1-0 <![CDATA[DIY canister filter Q's]]> http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?272475-DIY-canister-filter-Q-s&goto=newpost Fri, 24 May 2013 06:17:59 GMT If I have the pump on the top of the canister like so: http://www.jonolavsakvarium.com/eng_...ter_normal.jpg (except my pump is internal, not external) won't it be really hard to get the water flowing? I mean, how am I supposed to prime it unless I put a valve on the tank water in pipe and then fill it to the top and put the lid back on?

If I switched positions of the pump, wouldn't it self prime? ]]> captmicha http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?272475-DIY-canister-filter-Q-s Eheim canister replacement ball http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?272454-Eheim-canister-replacement-ball&goto=newpost Wed, 22 May 2013 20:53:29 GMT Hi. I've had my Eheim canister 2234 for a couple of years now, and the rubber ball in the cage is starting to look a bit chewed up. What can I use as a replacement? The same ball and cage for sale on amazon is now over $13! Surely, there's a little ball I can use instead? It measures under an inch I think.
thanks
chris ]]> spottea http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?272454-Eheim-canister-replacement-ball Canister filter, sponge filter questions http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?272422-Canister-filter-sponge-filter-questions&goto=newpost Tue, 21 May 2013 00:35:30 GMT My tank: 20 gallon high, played out sponge filter, medium planted, 13 boraras merah, 12+ dwarf emerald rasbora, cherry shrimp

My fish have been breeding, which is cool, but they will over populate the tank soon. I have no interest setting up breeding tanks or fry tanks or cultures. I'd like them to just keep breeding in this tank. Only a few fry make it to adulthood but that's ok. Regardless, I need to replace my old sponge filter anyway. And I'm thinking of putting my pressurized CO2 system on this tank. I only have experience with HOB and sponge filters, I prefer sponge filters.

So I've been looking into canister filters, which I understand offer superior product lifespan, filtration, media options, better for CO2...etc

Canister filter questions: Can canister filters stay on during a water change? Which specific models are low flow, suited for my tank? How does the flow compare to a AC 150, 100? Inline CO2, what is it and what to buy? Are fry and shrimp going to get sucked up (the fry can't swim for a few days after hatching)? Will the little microscopic things the fry/shrimp eat be affected? Would the canister interfere with water column fertilizer? Truly how often do you open them up and clean the media? Is this messy, does water spill out? Ive managed to break several AquaClear filters, will I break a canister, too? Since they are more heavy duty, and I like the fry, should I even bother with canister?

HOB questions: other brand recommendations than AC? I know, blasphemy but even with a prefilter and flow set to low i think it's too much. Also ugly, huge space behind tank needed, mine have clogged with moss. They are definitely amazing but not for this tank.

Sponge filter questions: brand recommendations with small footprint? Any other brands than hydro which are black? Anyone ever run a sponge with a power head? How'd that go, what did you use?

I'm basically leaning towards getting 2 sponge filters but also attracted to those fancy canisters. Thanks. ]]> AshK http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?272422-Canister-filter-sponge-filter-questions High Flow Stream Tank http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?272392-High-Flow-Stream-Tank&goto=newpost Sat, 18 May 2013 06:59:22 GMT Along with a past experience with keeping a stream biotope tank, two recent, reasonably unrelated experiences have given me an idea for a stream tank which I've never seen the like of before. I once kept a school of a dozen Rainbow Shiners, a few Rainbow Darters, and a couple of Cambarellus schuhfeldti in a 30 gal tank which had a 2600 gph SEIO circulation pump on it. The Shiners in particular truly seemed to enjoy the insane amount of flow exhibited really intense schooling behavior. But the flow was like a Jacuzzi, going off in all directions. Recently a day behind the scenes at the Adventure Aquarium introduced me to diy Kreisel tanks, which are used to create circular flow for the aquaculturing of pelagic Jellyfish. I quickly realized that the system seemed amenable to modification to provide a high degree of linear flow in a system with very high amounts of total flow. This is something which the currently popular manifold systems don't do very well, for one main reason: turbulence. Simply put, flowing water from the narrow nozzles of typical powerheads across a distance and requiring it to enter small intakes to return to the pumps inherently creates large amounts of turbulence which detracts from total velocity. And to make matters worse, the act of all that moving water suddenly hitting a solid glass wall certainly doesn't help in regards to turbulence! But a recent thread here has shown a way to avoid having things rapidly moving across the tank from encountering a solid wall. I've thought about all this, and mused a bit with friends and online, and then a 40 gal long aquarium fell into my lap. It's 48" x 12" footprint seem a reasonably good dimension for a small scale model of my design before I start messing with the 96" x 18" 180 that is where ultimately intend to apply it. Essentially there will be an "L" shaped plenum installed in the tank. The vertical end will extend above the running water level of the system, and will be placed as close as possible to one end of the aquarium while still allowing space for the pumps which will provide the water movement. The horizontal element will extend to within approx. 4" of the opposite side of the tank to allow unrestricted return flow back to the pumps. This opening will be screened off with gutter guard as a precaution against fish entering the plenum, and a small vertical lip to assist in keeping the substrate in place will be added. The plenum will be supported on lengths of 1.5" pvc. Near the screened off end of the plenum I will be installing a double thickness of the sheet biofilters commonly used in ponds. Essentially it's a tangled woven mess of fairly large diameter polypropylene "thread" similar to heavy fishing line but much stiffer. It holds its shape well under high flow and collects and holds a lot of sludge. I believe it will also soften the transition of the water into the plenum by creating a more gradual deceleration of the water. Anyway it's my project for tomorrow, most of the materials are already on hand. Pics to follow ]]> SubRosa http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?272392-High-Flow-Stream-Tank Large artificial plants 90 gallon http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?272389-Large-artificial-plants-90-gallon&goto=newpost Sat, 18 May 2013 03:58:00 GMT Does anyone know where to get the extra tall plants? My tank came with one and I would like another. Thanks, Tamara Does anyone know where to get the extra tall plants?

My tank came with one and I would like another.

Thanks,
Tamara ]]> BrokerTamara http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?272389-Large-artificial-plants-90-gallon magnets and heaters http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?272387-magnets-and-heaters&goto=newpost Fri, 17 May 2013 15:48:10 GMT Any reason why noone sells heaters with magnets instead of suction cups, will magnets screw with the thermostat or something? I have a couple heaters that came with junk suction cups(aqueons) that wont stick to the glass for more then a few days no matter what i do to them. Was going to order a... Any reason why noone sells heaters with magnets instead of suction cups, will magnets screw with the thermostat or something? I have a couple heaters that came with junk suction cups(aqueons) that wont stick to the glass for more then a few days no matter what i do to them. Was going to order a couple of these http://www.marinedepot.com/Zoo_Med_M...FIHTHA-vi.html I want to make sure magnets aren't going to lead to the heater being stuck on or anything first though. ]]> TL1000RSquid http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?272387-magnets-and-heaters High Ph http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?272383-High-Ph&goto=newpost Thu, 16 May 2013 23:00:36 GMT I have updating on my new tank 90 gallon freshwater, with 29 gallon sump and overflow and what is going on. Running for five days with seeded filter material. The PH remains high as this point. I am wondering if it is the background possibly. It was used before and commercial grade for one... I have updating on my new tank 90 gallon freshwater, with 29 gallon sump and overflow and what is going on. Running for five days with seeded filter material. The PH remains high as this point. I am wondering if it is the background possibly. It was used before and commercial grade for one month.

Name: Close up tank.jpg Views: 125 Size: 115.1 KB

I am reading online. Also would changing water help?


I have an over flow. Do I change the water in main tank only?

I am using established media and fish food to keep cycling. I cant transfer my fish until I figure out why the ph is so differfent then my other tank using the same water etc.

The API test kit is light blue for 46 gallon and dark blue for 90 gallon. It is rosey color when testing using the high Ph Test.

Thanks,
Tamara

Name: Full Tank Picture.jpg Views: 92 Size: 79.6 KB
Attached Images
  
]]> BrokerTamara http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?272383-High-Ph Betta Filter 5 gallon http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?272365-Betta-Filter-5-gallon&goto=newpost Wed, 15 May 2013 02:49:14 GMT Attachment 206871 (http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=206871) I have Penn Plax Cascade filter with spray bar in my Betta tank. It has sponge so I took out the cheap carbon to use two sponges so I could rinse one out in tank water once in awhile and still have the... Click image for larger version.  Name: My buddy Betta.jpg  Views: 33  Size: 1.59 MB  ID: 206871


I have Penn Plax Cascade filter with spray bar in my Betta tank. It has sponge so I took out the cheap carbon to use two sponges so I could rinse one out in tank water once in awhile and still have the other working and not create a cycle.

Now I have purchased some good carbon and I am thinking I should have some in a hose bag small amount I could squeeze in.

I am currently doing to 50% water changes a week.

Thanks,
Tamara
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version.  Name: My buddy Betta.jpg  Views: N/A  Size: 1.59 MB  ID: 206871  
]]> BrokerTamara http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?272365-Betta-Filter-5-gallon Update need cycling advise http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?272363-Update-need-cycling-advise&goto=newpost Wed, 15 May 2013 02:36:16 GMT Set up tank on Saturday night. Dechlorinated water and then transferred decor and existing seeded media from 46 gallon. Tested a day later and got no readings. Do not like API... Set up tank on Saturday night. Dechlorinated water and then transferred decor and existing seeded media from 46 gallon.

Tested a day later and got no readings. Do not like API chart as they give very little info on in between readings and colors can be close.

So crushed up pellet food small piece next to days to make sure ammonia source was present. Bought pure ammonia decided not to use it.


I transferred another well seeded filter pad to my sump and another decor from my 46 gallon tank.

Earlier I was reading 0 for ammonia and nitrites. Now I see a slight rise in ammonia under ,25 ( api test kit doesnt give much information when reading charts) and slight sign of nitrites over the past 0 readings yesterday. It also looks like I beginning to show nitrates.

So instead of tranferring I am waiting. I have crushed a small amount of fish pellets into the tank to see what would happen twice.

I have in my sump a sock at first to catch debris, then two seeded filterpads and new sponges and cermaic in a bag, then bio balls with water trickling over ( some like 20 from another tank). I also have decor from exisiting tank about 7 fake plants .

It should of been ready to transfer my fish and watch the ammonia etc and then I saw the ammonia reading looked like yellow( 0) then closer look had a hint of green and nitrate went from clear blue ( 0) to a little more color. And ofcourse nitrate slightly more color.

I tested my 46 gallon and it had no ammonia sign so I decided to wait.

The pH is slightly higher in new tank. My 46 gallon is a medium blue 7.2? The 9- gallon is a dark shade of blue so about 7.8. How can you read those charts with nothing in between.

I also put a sponge into the overflow that was sitting in my current tank water.

So I decided to see what the readings are tomorrow.

I also have a question about bio wheels form my 46 gallon. Can I float them anywhere like with my filter pads as they have been running for 5 years. I have no room for this filter on the new tank.

I appreciate anyone taking the time to respond. My fish are five years old and 6 and 8 inches and heavy blood red parrots that are pets.

Attachment 206870

Thanks,
Tamara

Sump is 29 gallon
1st compartment sock
2nd filter pads =, two seeded, sponge commercial quality, cermaics in sock
3rd: Bio balls a few seeded with water trickle over
4th: Sump rio 2500 ]]> BrokerTamara http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?272363-Update-need-cycling-advise Resealing tanks http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?272361-Resealing-tanks&goto=newpost Tue, 14 May 2013 17:16:50 GMT I know it sounds pretty simple but are there any tips or tricks or any particular Youtube videos/instructional articles that you guys recommend to make the process more successful and easier? So far: -Use stationary holder for the razor blade to prevent it from retracting or hurting my thumb... I know it sounds pretty simple but are there any tips or tricks or any particular Youtube videos/instructional articles that you guys recommend to make the process more successful and easier?

So far:
-Use stationary holder for the razor blade to prevent it from retracting or hurting my thumb when scraping
-Use tape to get clean lines and remove after silicone has been applied

Do you guys recommend a silicone spreader tool? I seem to get silicone everywhere when I just use my finger and my fingernails get in the way. I don't have a nice seam, there's a visible and palpable edge due to poor spreading. It hasn't receded when dry, although today is day two and I'm testing it for water tightness tonight. So I don't know yet whether water will creep underneath.

Putting the tape on is a pain. Is painter's tape easier to use than duct?

Again, a fairly simple process but I complicate things and also tend to mess up the easiest of DIY projects so thought I'd ask. Thanks. ]]> captmicha http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?272361-Resealing-tanks Cycling 90 gallon media and sump freshwater/ amonia http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?272348-Cycling-90-gallon-media-and-sump-freshwater-amonia&goto=newpost Mon, 13 May 2013 05:29:37 GMT I transferred some media ( filter pads) from 46 gallon, and some seeded bio balls from 46 gallon and some decorations. Should I add pure ammonia measured to see where I am at. I have HOB on 46 gallon and cannot transfer the filter as I have as it does not fit with the canapy. e Water is in... I transferred some media ( filter pads) from 46 gallon, and some seeded bio balls from 46 gallon and some decorations. Should I add pure ammonia measured to see where I am at. I have HOB on 46 gallon and cannot transfer the filter as I have as it does not fit with the canapy. e

Water is in dechloirnated and media transferred and up and running 24 hours.

Now I want to make sure cycled before adding my two blood red parrots.

Name: Pinky.jpg Views: 160 Size: 46.0 KB
Attached Images
 
]]> BrokerTamara http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?272348-Cycling-90-gallon-media-and-sump-freshwater-amonia Repairing a crack in the base? http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?272341-Repairing-a-crack-in-the-base&goto=newpost Sun, 12 May 2013 15:23:44 GMT Just got my new tank home, and it's got a crack running end to end in the base :( The seller said it had a crack but that a piece of glass had been put in ont top and sealed, and the tank is actually watertight as it was sat with water in it at his home. It looked fine, looked like there was the second pane in there.

However having got it home, it seems there is no second pane after all - sort of an optical illusion from the sealant line, if that makes sense. So it's just cracked. It's still holding water though - there was a bit left in it that hadn't properly drained for the trip home, and there is none on the duvet I had under it for the journey. This gives me hope!

So, what are my options? Being the bottom pane I figure will help as it'll be supported from underneath by the stand once I've made it. Can I do a repair using the dividing pieces that are in it laid end to end (one roughly 18" x 18", 3 roughly 6" x 18") or would I be best getting a panel to fit the whole base? Any idea on cost of this, and would it also have to be 10mm thick like the main tank?

I'm a bit miffed (and frankly feel a bit stupid), but the tank is here and it was cheap so I'll not dwell on it, just get it fixed if I can :) ]]> nikirushka http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?272341-Repairing-a-crack-in-the-base Building a stand http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?272339-Building-a-stand&goto=newpost Sun, 12 May 2013 11:10:04 GMT Just wondered if anyone had tips for building a stand for a big tank? I want to be sure I use the right stuff so it's sturdy enough :)

The tank is 6ft x 18" x 2ft high, and will have a 4ft x 15" x 12" tank underneath it. ]]> nikirushka http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?272339-Building-a-stand Sock or not for Freshwater http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?272318-Sock-or-not-for-Freshwater&goto=newpost Fri, 10 May 2013 18:02:42 GMT Attachment 206781 (http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=206781)Attachment 206782 (http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=206782) I am unsure if I need a sock. Sump is 29 gal and tank 90. Could I use it part of the time as I hear it is... Click image for larger version.  Name: New design.jpg  Views: 29  Size: 1.62 MB  ID: 206781Name: New 90.jpg Views: 64 Size: 37.8 KB


I am unsure if I need a sock. Sump is 29 gal and tank 90. Could I use it part of the time as I hear it is helpful. I am not sure if I want to deal with cleaning more then once a week. I have sponges in my over flow also.

Thanks, Tamara
Name: Pinky.jpg Views: 67 Size: 46.0 KB
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version.  Name: New design.jpg  Views: N/A  Size: 1.62 MB  ID: 206781  
Attached Images
  
]]> BrokerTamara http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?272318-Sock-or-not-for-Freshwater