250g Maintenance Free (sorta)

[CHOMPERS]

This was my helper through the whole thing. It is a Coqui frog. They are pretty cute when they stare you in the face. Last year the tadpole fairy brought me a bazillion tadpoles that turned into them and my fish loved them. This year, they are turning into toads The fish hate them...

 

[CHOMPERS]

Oh, by the way, in post #4 with the drip tray, the front of the tray is lower than the other three sides. This is intentional and will allow water to flow to the pump chamber in the event I or someone else forgets to clean the quilt batting. It isn't wise to allow the bio-media to dry out, but the lesser of two evils is to not have water on the floor (if it overflows, the media will dry out anyway.)

I also forgot to mention that I have an air pump in the fourth cupboard that pumps air over to the wet/dry for added aeration for the bacteria.

 

[repair]

You will love the drip system..... looks like you have done a great job, now sit back and enjoy your fish instead of working.

 

[Dr Joe]

No offence, but I hope you don't get a GF soon...There won't be as many GREAT Projects like this.

I wondered why you've been quiet lately .

There's only one thing I change...:j/k: It's Great!

Dr Joe

.

 

[ChrisG23]

Chompers, very informative thread with pics so even laymen like I can follow along.... You are a great asset to the MFK community. Thanks very much for the help...Chris

 

[ChrisG23]

BTW, The white pipe that flows into your undergravel filter, is that the return from your sump?

If so, how do you keep it from reversing the syphon in the event of a power outage?

 

[CHOMPERS]

BTW, The white pipe that flows into your undergravel filter, is that the return from your sump?

If so, how do you keep it from reversing the syphon in the event of a power outage?

Sort of...The water returns first through the black pipe next to it, then through two elbows with a short piece of pipe between them. In that short piece of pipe is a hole drilled facing downward. Then the water goes down the white pipe to the under gravel system.

When the power is shut down, as the water is lowering, air enters through the hole to stop the syphoning.

 

[CHOMPERS]

Here is a visual of the syphon break. The hole unfortunately is not very visible. It shoots down into the water (other wise it would make a mess).

 

[Joshy]

You have done a great job mate, a lot of skill clearly put into it!

 

[ChrisG23]

So the syphon may reverse for a bit, but will break once the water level gets below the drill hole? So as long as you dont overfill your tank, the sump wont overflow...right?