i think i have done enough reading. so im going to order my stuff today. it includes
10 gallon
glass top
micro jet power head
20 inch 1x40
10 gallon
glass top
micro jet power head
20 inch 1x40
Nano dairy
- Thread starter thekid55
- Start date
I'd get a 2 x 40W light, for the difference in price it's really worth it.
I have a 5.5g pico with an 80W Satellite fixture, it's open top and I agree topoffs are a bit of a PITA. I have my own little ghetto setup, it works well so no laughing - I take a 1L water bottle, dril a small hole in the cap and then use a pin to create a tiny hole beside that one (this is so air can get in as water goes out, so the bottle doesn't collapse in on itself). Then pull a piece of miniature airline tubing through the larger hole, attach an IV thumbwheel to the airline outside the bottle, and voila: a topoff that drips a steady stream of RO (or RO + any supplement) into the tank all day long, keeping the water level steady. It took me a while to set the drip rate, and it needs adjusting depending on the weather, but it definitely works better than dumping water in once a day.
Here's a pic of the setup on my 30g. If you don't have a thumbwheel, you can just tie a knot, but I like the precision the wheel gives me. Next time you or someone you know is in the hospital, when their IV comes out ask the nurse for the wheel - it's going into the garbage anyway, why not?
I have a 5.5g pico with an 80W Satellite fixture, it's open top and I agree topoffs are a bit of a PITA. I have my own little ghetto setup, it works well so no laughing - I take a 1L water bottle, dril a small hole in the cap and then use a pin to create a tiny hole beside that one (this is so air can get in as water goes out, so the bottle doesn't collapse in on itself). Then pull a piece of miniature airline tubing through the larger hole, attach an IV thumbwheel to the airline outside the bottle, and voila: a topoff that drips a steady stream of RO (or RO + any supplement) into the tank all day long, keeping the water level steady. It took me a while to set the drip rate, and it needs adjusting depending on the weather, but it definitely works better than dumping water in once a day.
Here's a pic of the setup on my 30g. If you don't have a thumbwheel, you can just tie a knot, but I like the precision the wheel gives me. Next time you or someone you know is in the hospital, when their IV comes out ask the nurse for the wheel - it's going into the garbage anyway, why not?
auto topoff system
get a glass bottle, some airline tubing, something to hold the botte upside down and aquarium silicone. using a nail and hammer, putt a wole in the lid just big enough for the airline to fit in. place a length of airline tubing into the whole and silicone it in. silicone the other end of the tubing so the end is where you want the water level to be. set your tank up so the water level is at the end of the airline tubing. fill bottle with top off water. screw cap onto bottle. place bottle upside down in whatever your using to hold it that way and then place this above the water level of the aquarium.
This works because water does not expand easily and the only way for water to get out of the bottle is if something takes it's place (air), and the only way for that to happen is if the water level in the tank is lower than the opening of the airline tubing.
get a glass bottle, some airline tubing, something to hold the botte upside down and aquarium silicone. using a nail and hammer, putt a wole in the lid just big enough for the airline to fit in. place a length of airline tubing into the whole and silicone it in. silicone the other end of the tubing so the end is where you want the water level to be. set your tank up so the water level is at the end of the airline tubing. fill bottle with top off water. screw cap onto bottle. place bottle upside down in whatever your using to hold it that way and then place this above the water level of the aquarium.
This works because water does not expand easily and the only way for water to get out of the bottle is if something takes it's place (air), and the only way for that to happen is if the water level in the tank is lower than the opening of the airline tubing.
wow guys thanks
those top off ideas are great i will use that. i ordered my stuff monday and i expect it next monday. i already ordered so that upgrading in lighting wont be possible for a while but i will keep it in my log book for the tank. i think i jumped the gun when i started this thread i am going to buy some live rock this week and dont know how long it will be untill its cured. for my last tank it took 2 weeks and then a week long cycle. if the price is right i will go ahead and get some cured rock. anyway i decide to go it will take a long 2 to 3 weeks. if you want to see the boring start up pics let me know and i will post them.
thanks matt
can some one tell me how to put a poll in the thread.
those top off ideas are great i will use that. i ordered my stuff monday and i expect it next monday. i already ordered so that upgrading in lighting wont be possible for a while but i will keep it in my log book for the tank. i think i jumped the gun when i started this thread i am going to buy some live rock this week and dont know how long it will be untill its cured. for my last tank it took 2 weeks and then a week long cycle. if the price is right i will go ahead and get some cured rock. anyway i decide to go it will take a long 2 to 3 weeks. if you want to see the boring start up pics let me know and i will post them.
thanks matt
can some one tell me how to put a poll in the thread.
