PinkSapphire
12-22-2009, 07:12 AM
Hi all. I'm currently cycling my new 150 gallon tank as a new home for my giant gourami Pink Sapphire.
I started out a few years ago with smaller tanks with over-the-side filters. Then I got two larger tanks and upgraded to canister filters. I've had some good success (after some nasty failures) and I finally got comfortable enough to tackle a big tank.
I got the new tank on craigslist complete with sump (two pumps), heaters, bioballs, lights etc for a major bargain. The whole sump setup thing is new to me and I want to make sure I'm doing this right! It seems weird to the beginner that the canister filters hold up to 5 different media, but all the sump has is bioballs and a big place for solid waste to settle. Let me know if you honestly think I need to alter or upgrade.
So last weekend (12/11), I filled it up and tossed in some feeders. The sump has a single large filter pad over a plastic grate over 10" of bioballs. I'll get measurements and photos up asap. I placed some of Sapphire's current strata, and one small pad from her canister filter into the sump to help biological development. I did also add a small amount of store-bought tank-starter that I had lying around, figuring it couldn't hurt.
I've been monitoring the ammonia, nitrate and nitrite levels and I'm a bit baffled... From what I can tell, it's done cycling already, but I'm seriously doubtfull that a tank that big could cycle in just over a week. Currently, my nitrites are zero, nitrates are at 10, and ammonia is just a hair over zero. This is a few days after the ammo read 0.5, nitrite 0.5 and nitrate 0. Hmmm... does that count as my ammonia and nitrite spike? I'm in no rush, so I'll give it at least another week, regardless. LOL not to mention I have to finish up underneath the house shoring up the floor (better safe than really really really sorry).
Also, a specific request for advice: Sapphire poops more than my Saint Bernard and I have a hard time dealing with it. I've come up with an unusual solution in her current tank, but I won't be replicating it in her new tank unless someone thinks it's just genius or something. What I've got is inspired by a UGF, but is not exactly one. I built out of pvc an intake frame with 4 intakes which connects to a canister filter. That is on the very bottom glass of the tank. Over that is the plastic "egg crate" with 1/2" grid. Over that are larger stones (1-3" in diameter) which give the appearance of a riverbottom. My theory was that the larger waste would sink to the bottom and be pulled through the large stones into the intakes and down to the filter. The one flaw to my plan was that I used a leftover filter that is nowhere near strong enough to do the job properly. So, for thorough tank cleanings, I've rigged up kind of a squeegie underneath the frame, grid and rocks. When i need to clean the bottom, I pull some strings and the squeegie is dragged along the bottom glass and pushes the gunk into the primary intake. I don't typically need to clean the large rocks since plec does a good job keeping the stones clean.
So the advice request: How do you deal with fish poop as thick as your finger? Does a sand strata make life easier? What other equipment do you think I could use. Techniques? My overall goal with my tanks is pleasure, so I tend to find ways to reduce maintenance (thus my under"gravel" squeegie and filter). I've got plumbing hooked up for water changes, but if I can engineer something to keep from having to swim in the darned thing, I will. Also, what other media do you think I could use in the sump?
Ok, too many questions in one post? Remember, all I want is to do it right. Thanks for all your help!
I started out a few years ago with smaller tanks with over-the-side filters. Then I got two larger tanks and upgraded to canister filters. I've had some good success (after some nasty failures) and I finally got comfortable enough to tackle a big tank.
I got the new tank on craigslist complete with sump (two pumps), heaters, bioballs, lights etc for a major bargain. The whole sump setup thing is new to me and I want to make sure I'm doing this right! It seems weird to the beginner that the canister filters hold up to 5 different media, but all the sump has is bioballs and a big place for solid waste to settle. Let me know if you honestly think I need to alter or upgrade.
So last weekend (12/11), I filled it up and tossed in some feeders. The sump has a single large filter pad over a plastic grate over 10" of bioballs. I'll get measurements and photos up asap. I placed some of Sapphire's current strata, and one small pad from her canister filter into the sump to help biological development. I did also add a small amount of store-bought tank-starter that I had lying around, figuring it couldn't hurt.
I've been monitoring the ammonia, nitrate and nitrite levels and I'm a bit baffled... From what I can tell, it's done cycling already, but I'm seriously doubtfull that a tank that big could cycle in just over a week. Currently, my nitrites are zero, nitrates are at 10, and ammonia is just a hair over zero. This is a few days after the ammo read 0.5, nitrite 0.5 and nitrate 0. Hmmm... does that count as my ammonia and nitrite spike? I'm in no rush, so I'll give it at least another week, regardless. LOL not to mention I have to finish up underneath the house shoring up the floor (better safe than really really really sorry).
Also, a specific request for advice: Sapphire poops more than my Saint Bernard and I have a hard time dealing with it. I've come up with an unusual solution in her current tank, but I won't be replicating it in her new tank unless someone thinks it's just genius or something. What I've got is inspired by a UGF, but is not exactly one. I built out of pvc an intake frame with 4 intakes which connects to a canister filter. That is on the very bottom glass of the tank. Over that is the plastic "egg crate" with 1/2" grid. Over that are larger stones (1-3" in diameter) which give the appearance of a riverbottom. My theory was that the larger waste would sink to the bottom and be pulled through the large stones into the intakes and down to the filter. The one flaw to my plan was that I used a leftover filter that is nowhere near strong enough to do the job properly. So, for thorough tank cleanings, I've rigged up kind of a squeegie underneath the frame, grid and rocks. When i need to clean the bottom, I pull some strings and the squeegie is dragged along the bottom glass and pushes the gunk into the primary intake. I don't typically need to clean the large rocks since plec does a good job keeping the stones clean.
So the advice request: How do you deal with fish poop as thick as your finger? Does a sand strata make life easier? What other equipment do you think I could use. Techniques? My overall goal with my tanks is pleasure, so I tend to find ways to reduce maintenance (thus my under"gravel" squeegie and filter). I've got plumbing hooked up for water changes, but if I can engineer something to keep from having to swim in the darned thing, I will. Also, what other media do you think I could use in the sump?
Ok, too many questions in one post? Remember, all I want is to do it right. Thanks for all your help!