I'm Doing It...

[smithrc]

Crushed coral is a large particle substrate, some pieces of which can have edges. Problems reported with CC include:

-uneven substrate tends to catch particles of food and detritus, making it difficult to keep clean
-particle entrapment can lead to increased nitrates
-many of our cleanup crew which can sandsift and clean the substrate do NOT prefer CC. Eg., nassarius snails

SH

cool - what would be good - Is playsand as compatible with SW as it is with FW?

 

[Donya]

Thanks for the info SH!

Is playsand as compatible with SW as it is with FW?

I have read some horror stories about playsand even in freshwater...I wouldn't use it personally because of that without factoring in other issues like material (I think playsand is quartz or at least quartz-based). Quarzt-based sand wouldn't provide any pH buffering capacity.

 

[smithrc]

Thanks for the info SH!

Is playsand as compatible with SW as it is with FW?

I have read some horror stories about playsand even in freshwater...I wouldn't use it personally because of that without factoring in other issues like material (I think playsand is quartz or at least quartz-based). Quarzt-based sand wouldn't provide any pH buffering capacity.

this is what I've got...

any good??

 

[Donya]

Looks like crushed coral more than sand...or is that a really high-res closeup photo?

 

[SkiFletch]

Looks like crushed coral more than sand...or is that a really high-res closeup photo?

Agreed, I wouldn't use that. Aragonite sand is your friend

 

[smithrc]

bugger...

 

[akilles-13]

I like the Nature’s Ocean® Bio-Activ Live™ Sand . This sand is really nice and works great to build good bacteria. Welcome aboard .

 

[smithrc]

I'm re-thinking the heater option... the hydor externals only come in 200W and 300W - overkill for a 7.5gal tank...

The fluval 304 has a volume of 6.6L so if I were to gut the internals i would be able to add most things. I'm thinking of drilling a hole in the side, threading a heaters cable through the hole and covering it in a generous amount of silicone, this would then still keep the tank clear of clutter and make use of the filter a bit better.

its got an output of approx 700L/h - thats about 20x the tanks volume. Will i need to restrict this? (I can do it really easily with the inline tap)

what sort of critters could I expect to find populating the filter cavity? would it be worth adding some foam to stop any of these getting into the impelor housing?

 

[smithrc]

I altered the 304 lastnight... I now have a 50W heater installed internally

I'll have 75L of RO ready when I get home tonight,
I will be getting other equipment tomorrow

Probubly "RedSea Reef Base" as the substrate
Instant Ocean salt
2x 24W PC (driven from a twin 36W ballast)

 

[Mr Miagi]

its got an output of approx 700L/h - thats about 20x the tanks volume. Will i need to restrict this? (I can do it really easily with the inline tap)

IMO, that rate of turnover is good. You might fnd it a sand storm in a pico though. Wait and see, then decide.

what sort of critters could I expect to find populating the filter cavity? would it be worth adding some foam to stop any of these getting into the impelor housing?

You can expect to find worms, fan worms and pods, mainly pod, lol. Dont add the foam. The are stroing swimmers. If they cant live down there, they wont, they will stay in your LR. Pods choose there own suitable environments!

Look forward to pics!

 

[smithrc]

Cool... so its just litterly the chemical resins that'll be in the filter then...

 

[smithrc]

set-up and testing

The heater is in and works a treat (It does mean I have to open the filter to adjust the temp though)
I've set the dial to 26ºC (about 79ºF) and will see what it's at in the morning.

I've started modding the hood too, I've cut out access for the external filter in/out.

Tomorrow I'll be fitting the lighting to the front half and will update then (when i get chance as we're attacking the front garden tomorrow)

 

[Siamese Fighter05]

Looking good

What are you going to put into the filter?

 

[steelhealr]

Great DIY.....it's nice to see new nano-ers putting thought and construction into a new system. smithrc....keep an eye on that damaged corner. Take your time with the 'dry run' and make sure it will hold up. In medical terms, that siliconed corner is " l'angle du mort " . SH

 

[smithrc]

Great DIY.....it's nice to see new nano-ers putting thought and construction into a new system. smithrc....keep an eye on that damaged corner. Take your time with the 'dry run' and make sure it will hold up. In medical terms, that siliconed corner is " l'angle du mort " . SH

Its been sat full of water now for 2-3days...

there is silicone between the layers too. I hope it'll hold... (I've not been downstairs yet though - it might be a big puddle!

Shopping today !!!