Search results for query: *

@Andy3142 - The regulator would work just the same out of the water. You could maybe attach the CO2 line to a large syringe (~500ml) and aim to fill the syringe up in 2 mins? I have to ask though at the thought of this rather elaborate plan, and the money you've already spent, does one not...

Forgot to say I've got 2x 54w T5's. In terms of CO2, the pH pen I have does seem to have some random readings. However my tap water is 8.4 (after degassing), and I was getting down to around 7.5 prior to lights on. Not sure if relevant, but CO2 was about 7.8 at midday... so it was not...

Hi all, I have a persistent algae issue in my tank which really is getting me down now! The tank is 450l, has been running for years and has a 90l sump. Flow is very good, the sump return pipe comes up through the base of the tank in the front bottom left, there is a powerhead in the top back...

It's possible as I've done, but you are very reliant on the non-return valve not failing at an inconvenient moment. I did find it was jammed from completely closing on several occasions by a MTS shell. The solution is to have the return pump within a filter sock which is taller than the...

You can get bigger, I’ve got these for my outlet pipes in the overflow box. Not very pretty though for somewhere more visible. What’s the idea between the two tanks? You’ll maybe have to run them kind of as two tanks anyway as you’ll get no flow really between the two with only a couple of...

The open water is your main issue here, once you have that sealed you’ve addressed it really. Insulating the shed itself serves no purpose for the current problem, in fact you may make it worse. Some standard type vents would help keep the moisture in check if you can’t get a proper seal on...

The trick with the sump drain I think is to have it as high as you can. Mine is above the height of the baffles, and as close as I'd dare to drill the edge of the glass. The difference between the maximum level, and the minimum operational level allows the system to restart. In your case we can...

I got bored of my powerhead coming off, followed by going for a swim around the tank itself. A blob of silicone behind the the sucker itself makes for a semi permanent solution.

Unless you want to do something really specialist, the water needs not be an issue. Mixing up etc brings its own complications, scope for swings in parameters etc.

Thanks both, the tap is 8.4 after settling 24hrs - comes out about 7.2. @Zeus. I’m assuming these readings you’d do pre setting up the CO2?

Hi, I’m still trying to find my way around with the CO2. I’ve calibrated the pH pen yesterday, and then found a surprising (to me!) result. My tap water is hard, and once allowed to settle is 8.4. I’m injecting CO2 2pm to 9pm (lights 3pm to 10). The tank is around 450 litres, with a sump. I...

Hi, My (not cheap!) Fluval E has broken :( I did seem to flash blue at me for some time, and today I've founded it is totally dead (glass cracked etc). I'm keeping my heater in the sump these days, so don't need anything pretty. These are loads of cheaper type ones on Amazon, but navigating...

Thanks @dw1305 - an interesting read!

Hi all, I’ve had these two blood red spots on some slate for quite a long while, which I pretty much had ignored. I have today noticed a few more of these spots around the tank. I’m assuming maybe some kind of algae, but my google searching didn’t seem to help. The tank has been running for a...

@foxfish - I probably didn’t explain myself very well. I did try the atomiser in a bottle option, but unless the atomiser was directly infront of the return pump the bubbles were not getting pulled into the pump at all (Eheim compact 3000). They just sat at the top of the bottle before finding...

Tried to have a search for this, but no avail... Is it possible to inject the CO2 into the down pipe coming into the sump? My logic here is that it would work very similar to a reactor in that the bubbles can only exit down once they are dissolved. There would be no issue with gas accumulating...

It was a square one, although maybe my art skills with the scissors and drill have lost some of the shape! So long as the non-return valve on where the low level filter return works... then I've got no issue. If that fails, the tank will drain down (given long enough) to around 3-4 inches of...

That bottle is indeed a squash bottle. At the moment I've got the atomiser in the intake itself (kind of being held in place by the suction). Seems to be working OK, and not seeing too many bubbles in the main tank. I wonder though if a better atomiser, placed a little lower, would help with...

Well, that was a failure on 2 counts! Firstly the bottle created an area of focus on the filter sock, which was quickly blocking itself with sump debris. I removed the sock, and it turns out the atomiser wasn’t close enough to get drawn into the flow anyway! Will have to place the...

CO2 set up today. I’m trying to go for the atomiser in front of intake return pump solution to start with as these are the parts I have already. Not sure how well it will work due to the limited space within the filter sock. It’s a bit of a design headache, but I have to have the turn pump...

Hi all, I’ve a 5ft tank (~450l), soon to be heavily planted with 90l sump. I know an in-line reactor would be the best option for CO2, but due to my set up will be a bit of hassle to get the pipe work sorted for that, plus the expense of buying or DIY’ing the reactor. A cheaper and more...

Had some spare time, and the better half decided she fancies having a small tank in the front room, which gave me a bit of a kick to look at the main tank again. So we now have a 23l Fluval Edge... which is handy as I lost the guppy debate, and now have a sump full of fry! First job was to sort...

Postage would be prohibitively expensive I'd have thought. Ideally you need to find a local supplier, as they would also be trading your empties for refills.

I got the bogwood with the idea of planting it up, but I'm not so sure now - seem to lose a lot of the visible wood doing that. Any ideas for rearrangement or changes welcomes, the tank seems to be a bit of a mess at the moment. I do want to eventually grow big Amazon Swords behind the wood...

It's not ideal, but possible. I've walked a 4ft tank across an entire room by emptying most the water, then shuffling the cabinet slowly across.

Just got mine from this seller on eBay who has loads of decent sized pieces. I cheekily asked for a few quid off, and they agreed too :) https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/Pet-Supplies/1281/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=&_ssn=topfilters

eBay worked, and currently have the below piece in the tank which is about 2ft. Has mostly sank after a few hours which is good news. I've got some vallis growing which I'll replace most of the stuff on the left with, and tonnes of anubis I'll get attached to the wood. Once it has sunk I'll...

Not a great picture, and I also need to sort the algae on the back, but starting to figure out what I want. Next step is some kind of large bogwood piece for the middle(ish) area. I have in my mind a fairly chunky curved log that would bridge from one the the sides. Tonnes on eBay, so will keep...

Another long time since I posted or did much with the tank. Too much algae on the glass, normally covered in string algae, and nothing is doing much. Decided will try to give it some love. First things first, trying to gain some height. Was a bit worried about the weight, eventually settled...

Been a long time, and the tank was completely overgrown to the point could not see the sand at all with mainly Crypts. Massive clearout, and found 3 Corys I didn't know I still had! Pleased with the outcome, can actually see the fish. More work to do in rearranging etc, but it's a start...

Not sure, it wasn’t the busiest tank I’d seen! Torpedo Line Barbs, Angel fish, Amano Shrimp and some kind of glass fish in shoal. Could have been Tetras with some kind of bright flash on their tail. If you like Tetras... cardinals in particular...

And the video :cool:

Huuuuuge planted tank if you ever passing by :) Have a few more pics and a video, but too big to upload!

Opted to solve my issue with some 'Loctite All Plastics Glue'. It's superglue, but comes with a little pen like a highlighter to add to the tricky polypropylene pipe first. Did a trial run on some spare pipe first. Good news, set very solid.... bad news.... it instantly set before I even...

The angelfish could well be the culprit for the disappearing neons? Had a Rummy Nose Tetra issue for a while... then found a tail wiggling out the angels mouth one day!!

I’m going to take a punt that the answer is under 24hrs! :lol:

Plumbing completed on the sump, ready to go in: And the sump in place: Yet another tank nightmare, and another chance to get the floor wet! So back when I specified the tank, I wanted it drilled for 21.5mm tank connectors. Reason being these are cheap (£3 for a pack of 5 from Screwfix!)...

I’ve got a double check valve (22mm) under the filter return before it enters the tank. Have had couple times it’s not completely worked due to an MTS shell getting stuck in it, but I’m hoping having all flow into the sump via a filter sock will stop that issue.

Sump started to leak yet again. No surprise there really, I've patched it up many times. Solution... buy a bigger tank to sit it inside! :crazy: Picked up a 90l second hand, think it's a Fluval Roma. Good news is with the extra height I can have enough "spare" water in the sump to restart the...

Great tank, the back wall looks great, no something I've seen before. Makes me want to do an immersed wall in mine now!

Doubled up is good, gives you the centre support. What you do need to be mindful of is the drawers not being level to each other... maybe if the floor isn't very flat. If you get one unit on it's side, you can line the other perfectly lined up, then join up with a shed loads of these...

Not really done anything with the tank yet, just letting it get on with it (no CO2, Ferts etc). I think I'll clear some of the foreground out. Hopefully I'll see some the Cory's that are hiding 99% of the time!

Always love the videos, particularly when Corys decide to photobomb every shot!

In your house, or mine?! :D Chances are on that design there will be no centre support, so the top section would be sitting on the top of 3 sides only. I’d be concerned about it sagging myself. Edit... just seen the back panel is fibreboard. So really supported just at each end. Not recommended!

Thanks all, I suppose the ramble / question was if my current sump set up was OK filtration wise. If it was... then I'm not seeing any major disadvantage to keeping the sump within the larger tank. What it would mean is in the event of a 'filter off' moment, I can probably have it drain back...

If it’s OK left to right, then leaning forwards is not too bad, you can shorten the rear legs. I’d mark the floor so you know exactly where the feet go each time you adjust. If using wedges, make sure they have grip on them to prevent spreading, the ones used to space laminate flooring from...

Since September. I've has losses, but only real big one since adding was white spot related. So in all, I think OK.

Hope so! They made from polyethylene, which I understand is used on water pipes - so should be OK.

Plywood is good, strong and won't slip or buckle. Problem is that's not going to look great! Where you've set it up, hows the level from front left to front right? Adjustment at the back certainly easier without being unsightly.

Think I'm using what you talking about: https://www.ukaps.org/forum/threads/5ft-custom-heavily-planted-sumped-hi-tech-450l.53354/page-2#post-534241

Firstly, my sump and I have had a turbulent relationship. :facepalm: A "cheap tank" purchased years back 2nd hand, leaked from the day I got it! I doubled up the bottom panel with perspex, which fixed that. Some time later I pulled it away from the wall without unhooking the overflow, and left...

Probably my favourite fish the RNT - very jealous. Fanatic they'll be in a shoal much more like the wild too.

Planted up what I had, and today had a right result on a local Facebook group. Picked up for free pretty much a bin bag full of java ferns and Anubis. Not great news on the fish front. Went away for a week, and left neighbour feeding fish. Not sure if related, but lost nearly all the Tetra...

Hi, I've a 5ft tank, which I've filled with several bags of JBL Sansibar Black - I probably need another 2-3 bags, which is pushing the budget! Also sand only makes plants staying put a little more difficult. Is it possible to cap something cheaper in the sand, maybe just pea shingle? I...

Following :thumbup: Best of luck!

Cheers @foxfish & @ian_m The “smart” idea was to have the return flow low across the front to solve the lack of flow issue. Older pictures below, but you get the idea. The sump will overflow into the drain once set up properly, which solves the flood the the room issues. This is also how I do...

Upon closer inspection, valve was not closing due to 3 baby MTS snail shells being caught in it. Bit scary that and and power trip would be enough to flood the room! Replaced the valve with a double check valve. Does not solve the issue, but does add some redundancy into the equation. What I...

@foxfish - Not sure exactly what type it is, but appears to just be a 22mm single plumbing one from B&Q or similar. Not quite how to describe how it is inside, a plug on a spring which sits in line. Not obvious obstruction, just has that slime in it pipes tend to have. I’m thinking of putting a...

Problem! So I've put my return outlet through the base of the tank, sits only about 10cm from the base of the tank inside. I've a 22mm non-return valve on the pipe to prevent the tank draining out in the event of return pump failure. Tried it today, and seems to have gunked up / not worked...

Fantastic pictures, love the Oto shoal too. I really should get mine some more tank mates. Great tank!

The fact a snail has managed to creep up on a shrimp to eat it... are we sure it didn't die of shame? :D

First finished go at the mound done, may need to tweak it. I’m not keen on the horizon slate, but it’s covering the filter return, so I need something there. Plan is to infill the lava rock with sand, and then plant up.

Redid the lava rock filled mound. The grid stuff comes with a base to it, which was making it difficult to fill up the space without too many gaps. Another evening with the Stanley knife solved that one, along with attacking the rock with a hammer (out of the tank!) it to smaller pieces. I did...

Yeh its big, but I don’t see it being particularly more difficult than say a 5ft or 6ft. Your light is pointing down, so you only need enough bulbs to cover the surface area, 2x a 4x T5 kit. In terms of flow, powerheads will certainly help. Also you can be creative, my filter return comes...

Moss balls to fill the crevices sounds good @tam - do they went to stay, or will they come out?

@mort - Not much going on in the rest of the tank yet. It's a new start, so rest literally is a couple of Amazon Swords, Crypts and few Anubis I just threw in to keep alive from my last tank. That's all to sort out too. Overall general look I want is heavily planted. I love the lush green tanks...

Hi, I'm after some recommendations for plants for my 'slate cliff'. Still under construction, but I want to order some plants. Will be about 30 cm tall, and 20 cm wide. This sits within a 5ft high tech tank (about 500l). I'm not really sure exactly what effect I'm after, so anything with...

I think it was due to Chlorine / Chloramine poisoning :( Possibly increased levels within the supply due to the heat wave. I filled the tank up from the hose, and I don’t think I added Prime. Brought the first batch of fish across, and into the tank. Second batch, maybe an hour later, which was...

Oh yes don’t worry about that, I’ll be 5 or 6 high by time I’m done !

Made a start on the hardscape, and will be using the plastic girds used to protect grass. B&Q has ‘Blooma High-density polyethylene Grass stabilisation tiles’, which as luck would have it are not buoyant. I was able to just about cut them with a Stanley knife. I’m filling them with lava rock to...

Absolutely no expert at all, but I found the needle version gave a much better "clump". I'll be using it again.

Things have settled down a bit with the tank. Managed to make the sump leak along the way (not a massive surprise given I’ve replaced 2 of the sheets of glass on that already!). Currently everything is sat in a plastic storage container, which seems to do the trick. Loads of flow along the...

Depending on your set up / location / skills, you may want to look at ways to reduce the burden of the changes. Lugging around the containers of water meant I got lazy with it. My current and old tank I hooked up so can fill and drain by just opening a valve. Less high tech is to get a longer...

Lush_Lola on eBay https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/lush_lola/ Still not replied to my message about wrong type of pipework & tank connectors either after about 10 days....

Yeh silicone ain’t exactly pretty on this one!

What’s that planted in if that makes sense? Stuck to rocks, or you’ve substrate between them? I like the effect

Got these from Argos few years back, seem to have done well

Just search for wherever in London you might be fish. There is several groups that cover Medway for example where I am, sure will be one close for you.

Where you at? There is loads of local Facebook groups, sure somebody will give you some sponge from their media or swap out for a new one - probably for free

Seems Seachem suggest x2 dose when present (https://www.seachem.com/support/forums/forum/freshwater-community/335-chloramines)

https://www.salmon-trout.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/STC-The-impact-of-chlorine-and-chlorinated-compounds-in-freshwater-systems.pdf Wow - Just read this. I think it's a perfect storm scenario unfortunately for my fish... :( Being in Kent, my PH is normally around 8.4, and ofcourse given...

Thanks all. I'm not sure I'll ever know for certain, and I'm scared to touch anything now for the risk of killing the rest. I wouldn't be too much CO2 @zozo as it was just an empty tank I'd filled from the tap. Equally can't see it being lack of O2 either @rebel as the water would have been...

Cheers @Iain Sutherland - hadn’t heard of that stuff before. Similar to lava rock I suppose?

Thanks Keith. Any buoyancy issues with that? I’ve seen styrafoam being suggested by some, then then others saying if it comes lose it will shoot to the surface taking the whole tank out with it?

Hi, I want to add some height to the tank, maybe upto 30cm in the back corners. I’ve sketched it out roughly what I have it mind, but it looks far too man made. I never was an artist! Anyway, any suggestions how to construct it without it sliding down, also what to fill the area inside with...

I take the “tap safe” point. Although I used prime within the hour. What I don’t get is why you saying about filter and incorrect silicone when neither apply to this build?!

Not sure where you got this from? Silicone is tank safe variant and filter coming across is a fully cycled 45l sump. Losses were within an hour or so, so it’s not an ammonia issue anyway.

Thanks. Doing a bit a reading, seems water companies can up / switch chlorine & chloramine - particularly in hot weather. So that would make sense given the recent heatwave. Not seen the Cory or Otos go for the surface interestingly in the new tank. A local sellers has a group of Torpedo...

Old House: https://www.southernwater.co.uk/media/default/pdfs/ZK505.pdf New House: https://www.southernwater.co.uk/media/default/pdfs/ZK513.pdf Might mean more to somebody than me!

Do we know what ppm would be toxic enough to kill that quickly? As I say, I’ve always filled from mains, then added prime for years without issue. Pre treating around 250l per week for EI changes will be a nightmare. The solvent weld makes more sense to me,but I’m just guessing.

Tank silicone would have been a couple of weeks. I did silicone (HA6) 2 connectors, which left 24hrs before adding water, and further 24 before adding fish. Did solvent weld a stand pipe into the connector before adding water several hours later, then 24hr before fish. I’m guessing that’s my...

Hi everybody, Terrible night last night. Took 5 large Torpedo Barbs, about 8 Rummy Nose Tetra, 4 Cardinal Tetras, 2 Otos, 1 Cory and some Amanio Shrimp. Netted from old tank, into a large cool box, driven the 5-6 mins to new house, then submerged the cool box into new tank. Stupidly, I didn’t...

Absolutely gutted - just brought my fish across. Lost all 5 torpedo barbs within the hour, 3"-4" ones too. Arrggghhhhhhhhhh!!!!!

Second time lucky... hopefully!

Well that’s been a fun weekend... Drilled the holes in the worktop. Last tank I did the holes too small, so really stuggled to do the connectors up. Went for 10cm diameter, managed to break my drill bit! Fitted the tank connectors (all 5 of them!), and 4 of them leaked :( Only a small slow...

Well it’s a bit late for that, it’s my custom built tank which I paid for OptiWhite for. There are a few issues with it, but I wanted to get my facts straight first.

Morning, New tank arrived, and the front panel is supposed to be OptiWhite... I’m not convinced. Admittedly I’ve not had that glass before, so maybe my expectations not right? To me, the side glass looks the same?

Doors and tank arrived today! Had to do the obligatory ‘children in tank’ photo too