First Setup plan

[Griller]

I guess the 10 marble hatchets weren't well thought out - at least she was thinking of you. People don't realise that fish make terrible presents.

Sounds like you've got your work cut out for you.

 

[Autophysn]

dude, you rock! Love the work!

 

[Redoog]

TY.

I have made a few changes i need to document soon. I think I will going to a larger pump MAG 18, and large sump tank.

Everything seems to be going good. I have had a big brown algea bloom. Not sure of cause. I made some changes right before leaving for 3 weeks. Wife took over.

I raised teh water level in the sump. Did my forst water change. Added some moss to filter.

I dont know if it was her leaving the shades open, lights on differant, feeding differant or the changes i made, but it was bad when i got back.

I did go ahead and tint the sides limo dark.

I am working on getting the lights on timers. I also need to change the lights. The walmart xmas lights are dimming all ready. I love the china lights, but will order some more with out all the blinking functions.

 

[Redoog]

still working on the lights. Order some more china fairy lights. Plan on taking them to a local A/V repair shop and see if they can help me mod them to sta on.

Also had my first power outage.

Need a bigger sump. Not for filtration or bio, but to store enough water so the pump can restart when power comes back on.

Will also be searching/google for an auto top off that requires power. That way when the power is restored it could refill the sump on its own. But when the power is off ti will not work, because if it did, my water would just run out the drain of the sump, because the pump wouldnt be pumping.

Always something.

 

[Valous]

Good job on the set up. Like the background. keep up the good work.

 

[Redoog]

TY.

I have a little work to do. My sump is leaking, so I am doing a redo on it. Think I will use a tote and some walmart drawers. That way I can go a little bigger, and if I am creative, I can change my filter media easier.

I am also going to make a few changes to the background.

Once i get those few things done, I will post a thread on each section of the build seperatly, make it more like articles.

 

[Redoog]

In case anyone wants a preview of my updates.


http://s137.photobucket.com/albums/q231/reddogracing/Fish/new sump/

I am building a new sump right now. And I have a new mag 18 to upgrade to. When I go to install it, I will make some background changes as well.

Also working on a new light setup, with a new hood for my canopy.

Also adding some airwands, and adding a hiddin powerhead with hose, to cause some updraft in my feeding area. Hopeing the mag 18 will cause more updraft as well.

FYI my serpae's like to feed midlevel, and everything i have tried to date, either floats to long, or sinks to fast for them. I did a prototype witha powerhead, and it works good, keeps the small sinking granules suspended for awhile. I have a little bigger pump I think, so with it and a bigger hose attachment, I will get what I want.

 

[david yurik]

redoog that was awesome!! the way the whole thing looks with the projector and the granite topped cabinet is absolutely beautiful. i just read every post from start to finish and if your still answereing questions???

now that you have done this project would you do a background again or just by one? seems like alot of time and effort that might be easier to just pay someone.

when you redo the sump what changes will you make? is there something you wish it did that you will now incorporate?

got any pics of your current stock? i think i only saw a gourami in there.

are you happy with the RUGF? does that mean reverse flow under gravel filter?

how did the garage clean up go??

dave

 

[Redoog]

I will do another background. Similar way. Well worth the effort. I don't have pics of current sump. I would like to do one with plexiglas make the drAwers built in and give sump more capacity for power outages. In garage I enlarged the access to the crawl space so I can almost walk to my sump. I like the rugf. I am surprised that the 1800 does not pump more then the 900 at least from what I can see. I would like more volume to get a little more up current. I do almost nothing to my tank. Every few months I remove the felt and batting. I use new batting. But I have been washing the felt and reusing them. I have plenty of precut pieces now.

 

[Redoog]

in place of the rubbermaid and walmart shelves i have now, i would love to have a unit built from plexi.

problem i have using the tote, is getting the right size, and i had to cut part of the rim away, so it wants to expand out during power outs when it starts to fill a little.