Planted 6x2x2 journal (DL warning)
#1
Posted 11 March 2008 - 08:57 PM
Pump: pondmax 4800Lph
Filter: Pondmax PF6000 pressure filter with backwash and UV
Piping: 25mm clear tube with PVC baskets and spray bar (all made by myself)
Heating: 2x 300w Hydor inline external heaters
Lighting: 2x 150W MH 2x twin 36W PC, 1x 36W growlux fluro
CO2: Direct injection pressurized system with 6.8kg CO2 cylinder and generic (eBay) regulator (will upgrade to brand name regs, solenoid and ph controller)
Substrate: eco complete (approx 9 bags ~ 80kg)
Plants: Too many to list
Several rotalias, swords, crypts and loads more
Fish: 4x German blue rams
4x Apistograma Baenski (inka 500)
4x Apistograma Aggissi double red
1x Siamese algea eater
13x Peppermint bristlenose catfish
20x Cardinal tetras
20x Glass shrimp
10x Rummynose tetras
7x Otos
14x SAE
4x Glass Catfish
1x Albino bristlenose catfish
A big thanks to all those who kindly donated plants:
Anson
Andrew
Kyle
James
Dave
Mike
Gavin
Craig
(And others? i hope i haven't forgot anyone)
Here it is after finishing the PVC plumbing
With the benchtop on (Solid Jarrah facia on 38mm HMR substrate)
And with the tank on
#2
Posted 11 March 2008 - 08:57 PM
After many attempts to stop various water leaks, i converted to 25mm clear tube. The tube that is rolled up on the left is for draining the water, and at the end of the other loose tube (on the ground) is the connection for the garden hose for water changes.
#3
Posted 11 March 2008 - 08:58 PM
The stocking was used to perform a 'fishless' cycle (NH3 and NO2 were at 0 after 3 weeks)
My CO2 direct injection. An air stone is inside the white PVC fitting, which is screwed to the T peice (25mm tube to 25mm tube with 15mm thread T)
This is directly after the pump, before the filter - no bubbles come out into the tank so 100% disolve)
The white foam 'box' is to minimise noise.
A few more plants are added and the out-flow pipes finished off
One of the peppies
Loads more plants added
Most are still small and hard to see on the photo but in a month or two it should be getting full
link to larger pic of the same:
http://i168.photobuc...n4228edit-1.jpg
Still to do:
Install MH lights
Build and fit surround for on top of tank
Fit doors (solid Jarrah)
Add more fish (small schools of rummynose, cardinals and other tetras)
#4
Posted 11 March 2008 - 08:58 PM
more plants added
planning and building the timber surround
with the surround frame in position and MH's fitted
#5
Posted 11 March 2008 - 08:59 PM
finishing off the surround
ready to varnish
lights fitted (2x 150W mh, 2x twin 36W PC, 1x 36W growlux fluro) with electronic timer power-board
Done!
After giving my plants a trim.
apologies for the bad photos - i lost my tripod attachment, so all photos were done 'free-hand'
#6
Posted 11 March 2008 - 09:06 PM
#7
Posted 11 March 2008 - 09:10 PM
Kyle
#8
Posted 11 March 2008 - 09:34 PM
#9
Posted 12 March 2008 - 04:34 AM
blakey - the PH controler seems to have died, (got it from ebay) so at the moment im running CO2 24/7, (PH steady at 6.8) but will get a new one soon i hope...
#10
Posted 12 March 2008 - 08:37 AM
Dazza
#11
Posted 12 March 2008 - 02:01 PM
What a quality set up...very nice sir...
e. :wink:
#12
Posted 12 March 2008 - 02:29 PM
What caused you to change from PVC to clear tubing?
Not sure if you are aware but those heaters are known to stop working, but the light still comes on, so it can trick you if you dont pay regular and close attention to your temp, it happened to me unfortunately overnight during winter and caused me some probs. The 300watt model is aparently the problem one, the 200watt model is supposed to be reliable, I'm assuming u have x2 200 watters?.
Cheers
Den
#13
Posted 12 March 2008 - 02:43 PM
What caused you to change from PVC to clear tubing?
Cheers
Den
I am wondering that too For the 3 tier 8x2 rack I am currently constructing, I have stuck to all PVC for a neat finish
#14
Posted 12 March 2008 - 03:22 PM
What caused you to change from PVC to clear tubing?
Not sure if you are aware but those heaters are known to stop working, but the light still comes on, so it can trick you if you dont pay regular and close attention to your temp, it happened to me unfortunately overnight during winter and caused me some probs. The 300watt model is aparently the problem one, the 200watt model is supposed to be reliable, I'm assuming u have x2 200 watters?.
Cheers
Den
ive heard of this too. not quiet sure what to think of them yet. but theyre a good idea
nice looking tank. quiet an intrigate piping stystem you got going lol
regards matt
#15
Posted 12 March 2008 - 04:27 PM
One day im going to do a planted tank but ATM I cant be bothered....
#16
Posted 12 March 2008 - 05:11 PM
yes it is a pond pump, and it is quite noise, but you do get used to it. when i get round to putting the doors on it should make it better.
the reason i changed from pvc to clear tube is because the pvc kept leaking from all the thread joins (i did use thread seal tape but it did not work). i made the mistake of not pressure testing before putting the tank in place and filling it, and because i had some pipes beind the tank that were leaking, i could not get acces to them to fix them. So after about 2 weeks of trying all sorts of sealant with no luck, i gave up and converted to clear tube. Not quite as 'profesional' looking, but still reasonably neat for my liking.
#17
Posted 12 March 2008 - 05:34 PM
#18
Posted 12 March 2008 - 05:52 PM
correct - but i should have thought of that prior to starting, but i got so annoyed with the leaks that i decided to do away with PVC. One advatange the clear tube is that it is easier to add on more bits later (e.g extra UV etc)
Next time i will try again with PVC, and use the knowledge i gained from my mistakes of this time...
#19
Posted 12 March 2008 - 10:48 PM
And a tip to fellow fish keepers, never, ever use pond equipment in the home until you thouroughly test it outside first! its noisy and it usually leaks no matter how much money you spend!!!!!!!!!! :evil: :evil: :evil:
#20
Posted 13 March 2008 - 04:43 AM
i will second that. the seals for the filter conections leaked, dispite have a seal on them, i ended up siliconing them on.
And another bit of advice - dont over-tighten a hose clamp. it can crack the fitting without you realising (untill you see the major leak)
0 user(s) are reading this topic
0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users