My 10gallon FBN tank

[shreddeys]

Hi folks.

Just want to showcase my 10 gallon newt tank. This is the first FW aquarium that I set up since I was probably 13 so that was more than 10 years ago.

So I'll just put up some pics and ask a few questions then leave the thread alone for a while :smile: maybe you can check out what I'm working on and offer some tips.

Or you could say "STOP IMMEDIATELY"!! haha depends if this forum is as serious as reefkeeping forums.

 

[Bellabelloo]

I have sent a pm requesting photo's first.

 

[shreddeys]

I had so much fun with this build!!

Go ahead and skip to the light fixture - is the best part! Somebody should re-build this light fixture and post it as a DIY guide b/c it is cool... and totally my own invention :wacko:

OK enough tooting my own horn geez on with the build! Let's just say I'm proud and leave it at that.

 

[shreddeys]

Under Gravel Filter

So I'll start with this. I did a little reading on UGFs and although their popularity tends to wax and wane with time it seems appropriate for my purposes.

This is a standard (non-reverse) UGF. There's about eight or nine 1/8" holes drilled throughout my PVC network. The eggcrate aquascaping was actually a great time! I recommend this to everybody who wants an aquascape! Super easy!

As the air bubbles up the standpipe it creates a suction inside the PVC, which causes the water in the tank to be pulled through the gravel past the eggcrate to the plumbing. This means that the tank water is constantly flowing through the gravel where the biological bacteria will colonize. We get soft, effective mechanical and biological filtration!

The airstone rests in the upward pointing tee fitting and I ended up cutting down the standpipe by another 3".

 

[shreddeys]

Aquascaping

Regarding my under-gravel filter: If I were to build it again what would YOU recommend to improve it?

So on with the build pics!


Soaked in bleach overnight

Then 30 minutes in vinegar

And finally, the aquascape!!!

ohhhh and since I bought this thing used, the screen cover OF COURSE had a hole in it...... grr that could gut a newt faster than a sushi factory. I did need to pass an airline thru so I found a cool way that's (hopefully) permanent to plug the hole up. This is just hot glue, a piece of PVC, and a zip tie.

 

[shreddeys]

Java Fern

So I decided that I'd plant some Java Fern in this tank because I read online that it's one of the easiest starter plants, doesn't need to be fully submersed, won't get eaten, resistant to infection ...

I know you're not supposed to bury the rhizome but my layer of gravel is very thin so I thought that it will stay properly aerated. Basically I just moved some gravel away from the eggcrate and just jammed the roots and rizome in place, then put a few stones on top so it wouldn't move. Is this an appropriate method? I didn't feel up to trying to tie the roots down to anything because that's a lot of work man.

Also, I added 2x white could mountain minnows to the tank after it was planted. I know that fishless cycles are the humane way to start a tank but these are very small fish. I bought a bottle of SeaChem Stability, and the man at the store (famous last words) said these fish would make it through a cycle in a 10 gallon tank. Heck, there probably won't even be a cycle!

I'm still not testing the water though. I have a saltwater tank that I take seriously. This was for fun. The way I see it... the minnows are slowly adding ammonia to the water but with the amount of Stability I'm dumping in there (and it's claims to instantly ready a tank)... it's already Nitrate before any noticeable concentrations could ever build up.

 

[Adogowo]

Looking good so far, do you plan on siliconing the gravel or leaving it loose like a fish tank? Also, are there holes drilled into the horizontal pipe under the eggcrate or is that there for height change off the bottom of the tank? If the horizontal pipe is part of the functioning under gravel filter make sure you can disassemble if God forbid a serilizing needs to be done. Keep us posted with pics as you can.

 

[shreddeys]

Hi thanks for the input.

Gravel is going to stay loose. I meant to mention earlier that I chose this type of gravel because I believe it is best suited to my needs. Although newts are known to eat gravel, it was my understanding that the gravel they eat is the pea-sized stuff they have at WalMart.

The gravel has to stay loose to allow the water to pass thru as this is the only method of filtration this tank is using.

There are holes drilled in the PVC - its purpose is to suck the water downwards thru the gravel.

The thing can be disassembled but god forbid indeed, as I probably would not be bothered to put it back together after that. There is no sand in the system so the biggest risk is actually a piece of gravel accidentally falling into it when the standpipe is removed to replace the airstone. Sterilizing is as easy as a bleach bath (as pictured), and nothing needs to be disassembled for that.

 

[shreddeys]

2x4 stand

So I wish I took more pictures of this. The trouble with me and building things is that I'm INTP that there's a lot time spent (wasted) on pause for reflection.

Stare at project and think ----> stare some more --------> quickly build new idea ----->back to reflection phase.

You would think that this much time spent just staring at my unfinished work would lead to more picture taking, but no.

Also, I am sorry but I have no pictures from the lid construction. I wish I did because it was actually a very involved process. I built the lid from 1/2" plywood so a lot of glue went into it as well as clamping ... really resembled the process of building a glass aquarium (something I've never done).

The main things to point out are that the front and back main sections were built exactly like how an interior doorway is built in a house. From there, I cut a piece of plywood to attach my two pieces together (analogy: plywood on top of door sills). Made sure the plywood was cut very square so the whole structure is quite square. From there it was a matter of adding trim and bracing until the unit looks "done".

Key considerations:

- Nails for load bearing members and screws for aesthetic members.

- This thing has to be 100% CAT-PROOF no i's a's or b's.

- The weight of the enclosure will be under 100 pounds so a certain degree of sturdiness will be required, but nothing excessive. Load considerations are minimal same with nailing intensity. This is why I utilized non-load bearing (i.e. interior wall) framing principles.

For contrast, consider my 55 gallon stand which actually has a properly built lintel (hidden) to transfer the load directly to the floor. It's built much more like an exterior wall.

 

[shreddeys]

Re: 2x4 stand

woo hoo! Just bought two firebelly newts from Big Al's in Edmonton.

Say what you want about Big Al's, but I loved it there. 1st time, won't be the last.

Time to acclimate these babies and I'll finish posting my pictures from the build.

Next up is seriously my favourite part.

 

[shreddeys]

CFL aquarium light fixture - DIY

So part of the reason why I'm so pumped about this is because I've been looking for a light solution for my FOWLR. The stand I built along with the overflow box I am using are both preventing me from using a conventional aquarium light of any type, requiring a custom built light fixture.

Well, now I can build one. It's going to be a much larger project than this was. A quick question before I start:

I believe the pigtail sockets I'm using can be wired in series? i.e. white to black to white to black to white to black all down the line? Anybody have specific knowledge to answer this question?

Eric's DIY aquarium light fixture
Difficulty level: medium. Requires use of power tools. Requires electrical wiring.

We are going to use CFL (compact fluorescent) light bulbs. All materials available at the local hardware store.

Let's see......

• 1 1/2" flat bit and power drill
• sandpaper
• electrical cord and male plug adapter [or you can do what I ended up doing and cut a 2 prong cord off of an old appliance - say, a power filter?]
• standard "pigtail" lightbulb socket(s) (as pictured) - get the ones with the rubber bushing (happen to be the cheapest)
• Electrical tape, marrettes (twist on wire connectors), tuck tape at the minimum; more sophisticated wiring tools are available and should be used if possible
• PVC cement (optional)
• 1" PVC style fittings [tailored to suit your needs, but I recommend at least to use the standard slip female to threaded male adapter (pictured)]. I also used a threaded female 90 to tuck the ugly part away and direct the cord on its way.
• ****Optional: 4-6" glass jars with lids (pasta sauce) [1 per bulb]

The beauty of using PVC is that you have a wide variety of options to suit your needs. The male adapter pictured is the only piece I'd consider essential, but it does limit your options to threaded fittings from that point.




Got the goods? Let's build.


First - a word on electricity. I'm not an electrician. My work is ghastly. Do not do what I did when it comes to the electrical wiring. I rushed through it, I used old tape ... substandard.



I only want to share the overall craftiness of constructing a fixture using the above parts. If you plan on wiring any sort of electrical device MAKE SURE you understand the methods and have mastered them first! Electricity and water don't mix. If you ground it then it will ground you.


right then...



Step 1:


Drill your hole(s) (1 1/2") in your pre-built wooden fixture.


Sand the PVC male adapter on the female side only. No need to sand the threads. Give it a good sanding inside and out we are trying to reduce the size of this thing so it will fit inside the 1 1/2" hole you drilled, and so the rubber light socket will fit inside of it. 3-5 minutes of sanding.




Step 1a: this is if you're using the glass jars to cover the bulbs and protect from water damage


Sorry there are no pictures for this step.


Drill a 1 1/2" hole in the dead center of the lid for the jar. This will require a drill press at a machine shop or maybe your neighbour's garage.


Position the lids exactly over the holes that you drilled in your wooden fixture, where the bulbs will go. Use a little glue (hot glue gun) or even tape, to hold them in place while you affix them permanently.


Drill a small hole on either side of the central hole and use 3/8" screws (or smaller) to attach the lids.


Using a 3/16" drill bit, drill some vent holes (minimum 2 per socket) so the air around the bulb can freely circulate and exchange with the air from above the fixture. You'll have to drill all the way through. What I would do is put the screws at 9 and 3 o'clock and put the vents at 12 and 6 o'clock ... or whatever. Make sure not to interfere with the eventual location of the PVC adapter when you drill the vents.



You did it!! Congratulations on this huge improvement! :lol: Paint the glass if you want to (translucent), and on to the next step!





Step 2:


Using a hammer and a block, lightly tap the PVC adapter through the hole you drilled, so the female end is where the light socket will eventually mount.


If it doesn't fit, sand some more. You can sand PVC to oblivion with even 120 grit so get 'er done there's no need to give in and drill a bigger hole.

Got it? Good. It will fit! And be careful hammering it in there because if you go too hard or too fast you'll chip the wood on the inside, and if it's plywood, that's asking for trouble.


Step 3:

MAKE SURE the female slip end is well sanded on the inside as well.

Wipe any dust away with a cloth and apply a light ring of PVC cement (this is optional) to the inside of the adapter. The use of the cement is two-fold and I highly recommend it. 1. It lubricates the PVC so the socket slides in easier; and, 2. It *might* actually bond the materials together ...? I don't know enough about these materials so say for sure but I know PVC cement is a bonding agent and it rearranges the chemical structure of the PVC itself.

Feed the two wires through first, so they come out the threaded end, and with a firm twisting motion, push the pigtail socket deep inside the female slip adapter. It's going to be a tight fit unless it's really well sanded, try to go in straight and true and use a twisting motion.


I wish these pictures could be of better quality. Anybody who wants to run with this idea is free to post another DIY with better pictures...., and maybe with the glass jar idea?

So that's it! The rest, as they say, is history!

You'll notice in this picture that there is no PVC adapter installed yet. This is because I was sizing up the socket first, while I was still putting the thing together.

Really that's the end of this DIY. Connect the socket to the wire you chose, thread on whatever threaded female PVC adapter you chose to cover the wiring job, and plug the thing in. Beautiful!

 

[shreddeys]

End of the build - now for the fun part

I would like to thank everybody who checked this thread out! I hope you like what I put together.

I had my 11 year old cousin in mind the whole way throughout. He's coming by in a week to have lunch and check the tank out and we'll see where he's at in terms of commitment, but if he shows genuine interest then I'll help set the thing up at his house.

I guess he was a little ambivalent when his mom approached him with the idea but I think he'll warm up when he gets to handle the newts. We do get to handle them, right??

Re: the newts! oh yeah! They're in the tank. I tried to feed some mysis shrimp tonight but there was little interest. The minnows are well acclimated to the tank by now and they're doing awesome.

What are some ways I can help these newts out with the acclimation process over the next week?? Better types of food you recommend? Things I should specifically tell an 11 year old??

Is this system appropriate for a snail? What about more plant life? How much will the Java Fern propagate in this tank? Should I add Java Moss?

Hey I warned there would be questions at the end.:wacko::wacko:




Here's one of the light fixture with the final pieces put together.

Here's some more. The good news is that my girlfriend took these on her iPhone so the quality is much better than my BlackBerry. The bad news is there is a prominent reflection seen in the aquarium glass, and the newts are hiding from the camera.

 

[newt newbie]

that is very nice but you may wanna put a hiding spot in like a cave or even half a plant pot. hope this helps, newts like to hide it helps them avoid getting to stressed

 

[shreddeys]

yup that is actually great advice.

i might try a ceramic flower pot for this.

 

[Azhael]

I´m sorry to say the current set-up is not adequate for the newts. The minimum volume of water recommended for a pair of these newts is 10 gallons. Judging from the pictures you seem to have less than 5. You´d be much better of increasing the volume of water as it will have a very significant effect on its stability.
I also strongly recommend you introduce large amounts of plants. Ideally you should have dense matts of vegetation reaching the surface so that the newts can rest on them and use them to reach the surface. They will also feel much more secure in such a set-up which will reduce stress and give your newts a much better chance at survival as well as more likely to remain fully aquatic.
The gravel could be a problem. I understand that you´ve taken pains to design an undergravel filtration system and that you´d rather use it, but it´s really unnecessary and could cause trouble. These newts also prefer water bodies with no current at all so the best option is using the large amounts of vegetation as the filtration system. A densely planted, well cycled aquarium will remain very constant with very little effort on your part, and represents the ideal housing for this species in captivity.

 

[shreddeys]

I´m sorry to say the current set-up is not adequate for the newts. The minimum volume of water recommended for a pair of these newts is 10 gallons.

Show me the literature.

you seem to have less than 5

It's 5.

You´d be much better off* increasing the volume of water as it will have a very significant effect on its stability.

Couldn't agree more.

I also strongly recommend you introduce large amounts of plants. Ideally you should have dense mats* of vegetation reaching the surface so that the newts can rest on them and use them to reach the surface.

Ideally I'd have 60 gallons of rainwater and a thriving population of live food with representatives from dozens of species.

more likely to remain fully aquatic.

I assume this is desirable, then? Occurs normally in nature?

I understand that you´ve taken pains to design an undergravel filtration system and that you´d rather use it

Patronizer! I'm flattered!

The gravel could be a problem.

oh?

it´s really unnecessary

If you buy and plant $40 CDN worth of plant life.

could cause trouble

What kind of trouble?

These newts also prefer water bodies with no current at all

Really, no current at all? This sounds suspiciously like a flavour of the week to me. Can this "preference" be scientifically demonstrated? Or is it just canon, period.?

large amounts of vegetation as the filtration system

Much like live rock in a marine tank. Only in marine tanks we occasionally attempt to build things that imitate the function of a "live" addition, things like Under Gravel Filters ...

A densely planted, well cycled aquarium will remain very constant with very little effort on your part, and represents the ideal housing for this species in captivity.

I know you've offered this exact advice before, and want you to know that I detect a contradiction. What does "well cycled" mean to you? A homeostatic balance of all the types of of bacteria required for denitrification? What surfaces do they colonize? How do the bacteria on the surfaces interact with the pollutants in the water in a stagnant environment? How are dissolved gases exported from the system? I thought that the stomata on the underside of the leaves sort of require some kind of "flow" to exchange their gases.


So what you're telling me is that these newts have to go. Ok sure! I'll just fill the tank to the top and keep it as a White Cloud Mountain Minnow tank.

Do you wish to rescue (ahem ... "adopt") my newts? They just became available :lol:.

 

[Raiden]

One the most respectable and knowledgeable members of the forum gives you great advice, and you act like a dick.

He's right.

These live in slowly-flowing streams and flooded ditches, with silty bottoms.

They also need a lot of plants and hiding places in order to feel secure. You'd be best off ditching the gravel and replacing it with washed playsand, raising the water level, and adding a large piece of root-wood, perhaps soaking it first to help remove tannins.

As for plants, Anubias, Java Fern, and Java Moss are all great choices, but they must be grown epiphytically in order to do well. If you want a plant that will grow in the substrate, Anacharis and Elodea are good choices.

You wanted our opinion, you got it.

Also, the water temp. for these needs to be somewhat low. CFL bulbs emit more heat than LED lights, which are the best choice for this kind of setup. Plants actually do not need much water flow for gas exchange. My T. granulosa tank has practically zero flow, and the plants won't stop growing.

If you want to throw your weight around here, you better know your **** first.

You have created a flawed environment for the selected animal. If you don't believe us, go look at the caudata.org care guides, where you'll find, more or less, the same info. We know the animal, and you're the newcomer, so go find the damn literature yourself if you want it.

Come back when the newts die and tell us how you explained to the 11 year old that your ego crushed the newts to death.

 

[shreddeys]

ummm okay thanks again. guess you're not much of an interpreter of meaning?

You wanted our opinion, you got it.

yes i did want your input. i also said that this habitat isn't going to be used for newts much longer. anybody could have chimed in at any point before i bought the newts and said, "whoa man, you're doing this wrong".

Instead you decided to wait until after I was done and then openly criticize. That's not constructive bro. Who's really the dick here?

We know the animal, and you're the newcomer, so go find the damn literature yourself if you want it.

Sure that's great! I'll just join a forum, start an introduction thread to introduce myself, identify the fact that this is supposed to be just a quick fun thing and that if I'm doing anything wrong then I'd like to hear about it. Then 62+ people can check out my build thread and shake their heads silently while I do it wrong! Then one person can chime in after I'm done.

If you want to throw your weight around here, you better know your **** first.

not sure what you mean by that?

Come back when the newts die and tell us how you explained to the 11 year old that your ego crushed the newts to death

I tried and failed ok what else do you want from me? I guess I could just repeat myself until the point rings home.

So what you're telling me is that these newts have to go. Ok sure! I'll just fill the tank to the top and keep it as a White Cloud Mountain Minnow tank.

So what you're telling me is that these newts have to go. Ok sure! I'll just fill the tank to the top and keep it as a White Cloud Mountain Minnow tank.
So what you're telling me is that these newts have to go. Ok sure! I'll just fill the tank to the top and keep it as a White Cloud Mountain Minnow tank.
So what you're telling me is that these newts have to go. Ok sure! I'll just fill the tank to the top and keep it as a White Cloud Mountain Minnow tank.
So what you're telling me is that these newts have to go. Ok sure! I'll just fill the tank to the top and keep it as a White Cloud Mountain Minnow tank.
So what you're telling me is that these newts have to go. Ok sure! I'll just fill the tank to the top and keep it as a White Cloud Mountain Minnow tank.

 

[shreddeys]

I want to put an end to the hostility on this thread right now.

It is obvious to me that you are a group and I am an outsider. It's nice to see that the henchmen want to rough up anyone who challenges authority, but please do yourself a favour and use your eyes and ears first, your brain second, and your mouth last (or fingers in this case).

1st. Name calling is disrespectful and mean, has the ability to hurt people's feelings, is a display of aggression, and is childish overall. No more name calling please, thank you.

2nd. And this is the last time I'll say this. I'm not keeping the newts in this enclosure for long. It's been clearly explained to me at this point the proper type of habitat for the animals I bought. Don't you think I might be inclined to start over?

3rd. There was ample opportunity for somebody to pipe up and say: "Eric, you're doing this wrong. I see you earnestly want to succeed in this project so I'd like to steer you in the right direction."

4th. This irritated me:

We know the animal, and you're the newcomer, so go find the damn literature yourself if you want it.

I shouldn't have to explain why.

5th. It seems like keeping Caudates is grown-up business after all. Here is something everybody can agree on: an 11 year old boy with no experience in keeping aquariums is best introduced to the hobby with a 10 gallon freshwater minnow tank that's been set up properly by an adult. Now's a good time to ask: does anybody disagree with the use of this aquarium for minnows, in it's current condition? What's the point?, nobody's going to actually address my question, that's been my experience here so far.

6th. Before anybody replied with their opinion, I shared the link to this thread with a number of family members, including both parents, my aunt (the boy's mom), my grandmother, my brother, my girlfriend ... Now I look like a fool in front of [potentially] all of these people. Over what? A misunderstanding?

You might think you were being helpful but you could try using some tact. We could have gotten along and shared some ideas.

Azhael, I see in some of your other posts that you revel in your ability to criticize people for setting things up wrong. It's good that you're so proud of your status, hold your head up high. You're the leader of the slimy, partially blind, four legged, toe-regenerating clan of ditch dwellers that like to hide in the dark.

 

[Bellabelloo]

I am closing this post, it is a shame as it had potential. As the tank stands, I would be probably use it for the cloud minnow.