I've been a busy guy this MLK day!
I'll put some specific info about the PVC works in the DIY sub-forum.
This is probably not going to be the final set-up. I'm going to move one of the two powerheads (THANK YOU, PLATY! YOU'RE THE BEST!) down several inches. There will be the Rena output and input situated accordingly, and then the mattenfilter will go in front of all of the inputs. I'm doing the mattenfilter for two reasons.
1. It's a neat concept, and I'm more interested in experimenting and having fun than having perfect aesthetics.
2. My panda garras (if I can get lucky enough to spawn them) and Sewellia both release eggs into the current. I'm hoping some eggs will make their way through the semi-porous mattenfilter (it'll be 20 ppi) and then hatch in the little area behind it. The intakes of the Rena and powerheads will be encased in very fine 45 ppi foam, so not much will get through them other than water (I realize I am wasting the filtration capacity of the Rena. But it came with the tank, it'll be good additional water flow, and I can add chem if need be with it). Thus, the several inches behind the mattenfilter will be a little fry safe-haven. This is why I added the high-up horizontal intakes rather than the standard vertical pipes. They're 8 inches long, so there won't be as high flow/inch, and the lower regions shouldn't be too crazy flow-wise.
All of this is a novel concept, so we'll see! I e-mailed the very friendly and helpful Stephan Tanner at Swiss Tropicals (from whom I am getting my Poret Mattenfilter), and he thinks I may very well succeed. We shall see! I'll update a bunch in the coming weeks as I get this off the ground.
All of my fish from my 20 long will go in here, and I'll keep much of the same aesthetic.
(and no, that's not where the tank will be long-term)
I'll put some specific info about the PVC works in the DIY sub-forum.
This is probably not going to be the final set-up. I'm going to move one of the two powerheads (THANK YOU, PLATY! YOU'RE THE BEST!) down several inches. There will be the Rena output and input situated accordingly, and then the mattenfilter will go in front of all of the inputs. I'm doing the mattenfilter for two reasons.
1. It's a neat concept, and I'm more interested in experimenting and having fun than having perfect aesthetics.
2. My panda garras (if I can get lucky enough to spawn them) and Sewellia both release eggs into the current. I'm hoping some eggs will make their way through the semi-porous mattenfilter (it'll be 20 ppi) and then hatch in the little area behind it. The intakes of the Rena and powerheads will be encased in very fine 45 ppi foam, so not much will get through them other than water (I realize I am wasting the filtration capacity of the Rena. But it came with the tank, it'll be good additional water flow, and I can add chem if need be with it). Thus, the several inches behind the mattenfilter will be a little fry safe-haven. This is why I added the high-up horizontal intakes rather than the standard vertical pipes. They're 8 inches long, so there won't be as high flow/inch, and the lower regions shouldn't be too crazy flow-wise.
All of this is a novel concept, so we'll see! I e-mailed the very friendly and helpful Stephan Tanner at Swiss Tropicals (from whom I am getting my Poret Mattenfilter), and he thinks I may very well succeed. We shall see! I'll update a bunch in the coming weeks as I get this off the ground.
All of my fish from my 20 long will go in here, and I'll keep much of the same aesthetic.
(and no, that's not where the tank will be long-term)
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