Nano experiment

[Willow 123]

I can't take credit for it, all the koi carp boys use this method.
As far as pipe work is concerned over here the smaller pipe is known as overflow pipe( and fittings). It has an od of 21.5mm and an inside dia of 20mm.( Larger stuff is 40mm dia (inch and a half approx)
Can I suggest drilling a larger hole and push fitting a piece of hose pipe in there to create a 'Tee' fitting, on my freshwater tanks you only need a riser of about 2 to 3 inches (50 to 75 mm). Saltwater needs to be a bit taller otherwise I end up with a foam 'column' .

 

[MaloK]

otherwise I end up with a foam 'column'

Thanks, exactly what I was anticipating.

 

[Fish Fan1]

Following!

 

[Willow 123]

Update , due to my grow out tank containing the silver mollie and the platy fry developing a leak, the platies have gone into the main tank and the mollie fry have been acclimatised and transferred to the experi-Mental! marine tank. This should be interesting!

 

[Willow 123]

Update, hurrah the tank is an algae mess, hair algae, algae on the glass and on the sand.
Clean up crew has been upgraded to include 3 turbo, 4 ceriths and a strawberry conch. They are doing a grand job, 4 days in and already they are putting a dent in the problem. All parameters are fine, so once the algae is under control I will be looking at a softy or 2, watch this space.
( no pics because it isn't a pretty sight at the moment )

 

[MaloK]

( no pics because it isn't a pretty sight at the moment )

What... No pics... Unsubscribing.

 

[Willow 123]

You asked for it, if you go blind or throw up its not my fault!

 

[MaloK]

You asked for it, if you go blind or throw up its not my fault!

That's fine !!! Like my first (good) LFS said... "Keep front glass clean !!!", "Everything is good.".

 

[Fish Fan1]

Update, hurrah the tank is an algae mess, hair algae, algae on the glass and on the sand.
Clean up crew has been upgraded to include 3 turbo, 4 ceriths and a strawberry conch. They are doing a grand job, 4 days in and already they are putting a dent in the problem. All parameters are fine, so once the algae is under control I will be looking at a softy or 2, watch this space.
( no pics because it isn't a pretty sight at the moment )

I've been following along with your project here, but I just have to ask......

Why do you want this algae to grow? I am very active on one of the salty forums, and most of us go to great lengths to prevent this kind of algae from taking hold in our tanks. Are you hoping to feed the Clean Up Crew with the algae?

I will offer one suggestion: I'm assuming you're using tap water for this tank, and that almost always results in excessive algae. Your tank isn't large, consider using distilled water to make new saltwater and to top off any freshwater that evaporates. You can buy gallons of distilled water for about a dollar each at any grocery store, pharmacy or your local Mega-Lo-Mart.

I hope that helps, good luck here!

 

[Willow 123]

To answer your questions.
I've found over the years that having a tank properly cycled and matured means I have very few livestock losses and once matured the tank virtually looks after itself.
The saltwater is made with Ro whch I also use for evaporation top ups.
The algae outbreak has been caused by the 2 adult mollies and 20 or so babies living in the tank. The only filtration is live rock ( 7 kilos) and a Matten filter, nothing else.
The tank hasnt been fed for about 2 weeks now, all the inhabitants are happy and healthy and thriving.
If that means the tank is a little scruffy so be it.
Having said that the clean up crew are doing a grand job of tidying up.
And just to add this is an experiment in running a s/w tank with minimum gear, even the top up is just a bottle fitted with one of these.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tiardey-Aquarium-Controller-Automatic-Adapter/ ( see attached pic).
Once the tank has settled down and biologically is working , I shall add some soft corals but not before.
And just to add all the parameters are spot on.
Watch this space!

 

[Fish Fan1]

To answer your questions.
I've found over the years that having a tank properly cycled and matured means I have very few livestock losses and once matured the tank virtually looks after itself.
The saltwater is made with Ro whch I also use for evaporation top ups.
The algae outbreak has been caused by the 2 adult mollies and 20 or so babies living in the tank. The only filtration is live rock ( 7 kilos) and a Matten filter, nothing else.
The tank hasnt been fed for about 2 weeks now, all the inhabitants are happy and healthy and thriving.
If that means the tank is a little scruffy so be it.
Having said that the clean up crew are doing a grand job of tidying up.
And just to add this is an experiment in running a s/w tank with minimum gear, even the top up is just a bottle fitted with one of these.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tiardey-Aquarium-Controller-Automatic-Adapter/ ( see attached pic).
Once the tank has settled down and biologically is working , I shall add some soft corals but not before.
And just to add all the parameters are spot on.
Watch this space!

Thank you for your reply! I was just wondering what your methodology was for this tank. I do understand that you're employing limited filtration here, which should not be any problem.

Still tagging along

Good luck with your project!

 

[Willow 123]

The older I get ( 69 years young) the less I like tech. I had never even heard of matten filters till 6 months ago. I have 3 f/w tanks running successfully on Mattens and wondered if the same simple air powered tech could run a s/w tank successully.
The tank was started on the 23rd of march so this is not for the impatient.
And I decided that maturing the tank with a couple of Mollies would be the way I would like to go. A curve ball was thrown at me as the 2 Mollies decided to present me with quite a lot of babies which contrary to popular belief they refused to eat, lol.
I estimate that the tank has cost me approx £150 to date. That includes the tank ( free, found while I was walking the dogs, live rock, sand, light, air pump, foam for Matten filter and salt. Also included in that figure is the cuc,)

 

[MaloK]

this is not for the impatient.

Best statement in the hobby

 

[Fish Fan1]

Best statement in the hobby

Agreed! That's why my most current reef project has been running with a combination of base rock and well seasoned live rock for over two months with the lights off. I will be turning the lights on tonight as I have some corals coming for this tank tomorrow. But I very much believe in the patient approach

 

[Willow 123]

I probably would have been better served with the lights off but if you don't give it a go, you don't learn.
2 lessons learned.
1, hair algae, given the right conditions, grows so fast you can almost see it happening.
2, the right cuc can eat it faster than that. (strawberry conch, ceriths, turbo snails a banded turban and a Nassarius.)
By the way no water changes have been done so far, again a little experiment. Not saying I won't be doing water changes, I think thats easier than dosing, but as we have no corals in at the moment, I'll see how its goes.