Kogo's fresh water refugium project
- Thread starter Kogo
- Start date
OK... Time for updates!
The project has been on hold due to the birth of my third perfect daughter, who was born at home. It was a great experience and wife and baby are doing very well.
as for the filter, it has continued to re-circulate on itself out on the back patio. the water had turned a light green likely from the early morning sun that lit it up in the mornings. the plants have thrived, especially the hornwart and parrot's feather. I thew in some gourami fry from the pond and they grew quite a bit, but they are out now.
I decided to move the filter today. before moving it I gave the glass a good wipe down and rinse to hopefully prevent the green water from blooming once inside the house. After a great deal of sweat and grunting the new refugium was put into place.
The water flow was a bit stronger than the test condition, but should not make a major difference.
after letting it run for awhile I replaced the plants and used the carbon bag from the old filter
I also kept only one of the planters. The hornwart was superior to the planters, but having one seemed to break up the flow through the sump allowing detritus to settle on the bottom.
I decided to use the regular shop light instead of the 4x20w light. the 4x20 put off allot more heat, seemed to draw a huge amount of electricity, and discharged a little from the casing. If the shop light doesn't work for the project, I will consider buying a better light latter. But, for now this is how things stand.
I also added a small fan to circulate air and prevent any possible heat issues
I will monitor the levels in the tank over the next few weeks and post the results.
The project has been on hold due to the birth of my third perfect daughter, who was born at home. It was a great experience and wife and baby are doing very well.
as for the filter, it has continued to re-circulate on itself out on the back patio. the water had turned a light green likely from the early morning sun that lit it up in the mornings. the plants have thrived, especially the hornwart and parrot's feather. I thew in some gourami fry from the pond and they grew quite a bit, but they are out now.
I decided to move the filter today. before moving it I gave the glass a good wipe down and rinse to hopefully prevent the green water from blooming once inside the house. After a great deal of sweat and grunting the new refugium was put into place.
The water flow was a bit stronger than the test condition, but should not make a major difference.
after letting it run for awhile I replaced the plants and used the carbon bag from the old filter
I also kept only one of the planters. The hornwart was superior to the planters, but having one seemed to break up the flow through the sump allowing detritus to settle on the bottom.
I decided to use the regular shop light instead of the 4x20w light. the 4x20 put off allot more heat, seemed to draw a huge amount of electricity, and discharged a little from the casing. If the shop light doesn't work for the project, I will consider buying a better light latter. But, for now this is how things stand.
I also added a small fan to circulate air and prevent any possible heat issues
I will monitor the levels in the tank over the next few weeks and post the results.
Congrats on the new addition (both of them 
)!
Looks great! Jen and I have been "discussing" the size of the tank we want to use for the sump... and nothing has been done on ours. That's always the problem with a committee. I'm glad you have been able to get something done!
How is the noise level from the water splashing into the return pump chamber? If you have issues, you can add an additional baffle and put bioballs in it. This will help to reduce the noise.
Also, it looks like you use an overflow box. Do you turn off the pump to feed? If so, I just posted plans for an automatic timer to turn the pump back on in case you forget. I forgot last Saturday, hence the new switch... Here is a link in case you are interested:
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=158337
-Eric
)!Looks great! Jen and I have been "discussing" the size of the tank we want to use for the sump... and nothing has been done on ours. That's always the problem with a committee. I'm glad you have been able to get something done!
How is the noise level from the water splashing into the return pump chamber? If you have issues, you can add an additional baffle and put bioballs in it. This will help to reduce the noise.
Also, it looks like you use an overflow box. Do you turn off the pump to feed? If so, I just posted plans for an automatic timer to turn the pump back on in case you forget. I forgot last Saturday, hence the new switch... Here is a link in case you are interested:
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=158337
-Eric
The display is reef ready with overflows, but i dont turn the pumps off to feed... I just use a sinking food. As for the noise, It always bothers my wife, but keeping the sump full reduces it quite a bit.
First of all, congratulations on your new daughter. I've got two girls myself. There's nothing quite like it.
Second, conratulations on getting this up and running. I've been waiting for an update. It looks like it's working great. The only thing I would change is more water in the pump chamber, but it sounds like you've already got that figured out. Good work.
Thanks for the update. I look forward to more to see how well it's working for you.
Second, conratulations on getting this up and running. I've been waiting for an update. It looks like it's working great. The only thing I would change is more water in the pump chamber, but it sounds like you've already got that figured out. Good work.
Thanks for the update. I look forward to more to see how well it's working for you.
thanks terd,
this morning the fish were active and hungry (as usual), but the water was cloudy. The water is usually a bit cloudy after a major water change (I changed about 140g yesterday) but the filter pads clear it up. I have no filter pads in the new sump (avoiding anything that could be called a biofilter) so hopefully the dense plants will work as a mechanical filter as well.
this morning the fish were active and hungry (as usual), but the water was cloudy. The water is usually a bit cloudy after a major water change (I changed about 140g yesterday) but the filter pads clear it up. I have no filter pads in the new sump (avoiding anything that could be called a biofilter) so hopefully the dense plants will work as a mechanical filter as well.
Today the water seems much clearer, but not quite crystal. Ammonia test #2 comming latter today.
todays water test:
ammonia = 0
nitrite = 0
now i just need to add on a filter sock or some sort of mechanical filter pad to catch detritus.
ammonia = 0
nitrite = 0
now i just need to add on a filter sock or some sort of mechanical filter pad to catch detritus.
I finally got around to adding filter pads.
I built a small basket out of egg crate to fit inside the first baffle section.
I then made "hangers" out of plastic butter knives to hold it in place.
I used the old padding from the previous filter and sloppily cut it to size.
once put in place it made a perfect shelf for my pads and carbon and is working very well.
I built a small basket out of egg crate to fit inside the first baffle section.
I then made "hangers" out of plastic butter knives to hold it in place.
I used the old padding from the previous filter and sloppily cut it to size.
once put in place it made a perfect shelf for my pads and carbon and is working very well.
