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

[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.