My new tank

[rob]

Hi just thought id'e post a cpl of piccy's of my new tank to see what ur opinions are ?
no Axolotl's in there yet its cycling
its a 36"x18"x18" 190lt's and running a Fluval 304 cannister pump with a homemade spray bar and regulated the flow...
still gotta get a few silk plants and a chiller but thats about it

already have two axies to put in but going to get another 2 or 3

 

[rheann]

The Spray bar idea is really wonderful! Does it put out much current? You said in another post that you made it from Sprinklers? Would you mind telling me which pieces you used and where I could get them and what brand? I might try this, or I might just use the spray across the tank method lol.

 

[rob]

glad to help 4 a change

it's called a "poly riser" 16mm it's just the centre tube of a floor standing sprinkler its about 850cm long of irrigation"plastic"tubing about 5mm thick with threads @ each end i brought an end cap that screws on one end and cut it down to size to fit my tank and outlet nozzle from pump just slips straight on to the other end.i drilled a small hole about every 6cm along the length
"it's important to get them in a straight line"
then just mount it so the holes point down and to the back of the glass and ur done "very easy"
creates like a waterfall effect

and no current, but aggitates the top of the water also so it doesn't go stagnent, i can run my pump full bore with this method and no current but i regulate the flow a little..
i got the parts from our local hardware store for about $5au but if u cant find them there, irrigation shops should have what u need...

 

[jordan]

YOur tank looks pretty good, but definitely needs plants.

 

[joan]

Rheann, I thought you were getting the rena filter? This comes with a spraybar (although it's kind of short). It's SO much quieter than an overhang filter.

Rob, how do you like yours being up so high? I've found that if mine's level with the water, it's quieter. Also it creates less current. With some more plants, that's going to be a gorgeous tank!!

 

[rheann]

Oh that's right, Joan, it does come with a spray bar I forgot all about that. I really need to stop staying up late at night into the early mornings and coming onto this site. When I type at those hours I do not make sense, there is no logic lol.

For some reason last night I was thinking that I could try Rob's method with my filter. Would that be possible? If it comes with the spray bar, then I really don't need to. Thanks for that reminder Joan, you keep me on track lol

Rob, this is the filter that I am getting:

http://bigalsonline.com/catalog/product.xml?product_id=22035&category_id=1711&pcid1=2885

I just like the sprinkler method, it makes it look really habitatish

 

[jenny]

I made mine a spray bar too with a length of pipe! Although i need to make another now for my other tank

 

[jenny]

Oh and i like the setup too, somewhere to hide but also plenty of room to swim/amble well i'd hardly call it walking lol

 

[jordan]

When are you planning on getting your other 2-3 axies rob?

 

[cynthia]

Rob - nice job on tank, it looks great.

If anyone else needs a fluval spraybar and can't make one themselves (I usually just make a mess lol) Pet Smart sells them.

This link goes to petsmart fluval spraybars.
http://tinyurl.com/eya5b

 

[rob]

Joan
the spray bar is about where the water level is going to be when i get my tank in it's final resting place "my room" it runs just about at total silence

just hear a slight hum from the pump, my smaller tank the spray bar is at water level too and no noise. i made my other spray bar for my smaller tank out of a spare cold cathode light i had for my comp.
just took the light out and drilled some holes etc..

Rheann.
i recon u could use a long spray bar cause ur filter looks pretty much the same as mine, just different brand

would be interested in seeing what set up comes with ur's ?

Jordan.
will get my other axies when my big tanks cycled
i want 1x wild type,1x black and not sure on the other maybee albino. least i will have my smaller tank then so i can maybee get one @ a time and quarantine them for a while.
then when all thats done i plan on getting a salamander

thx for the comments guys, will be getting more plants tomorrow and i will post some more pics...

 

[joan]

Rheann and Rob, here's a pic of the back of my tank, where you can see the intake tube (on the left) and the spraybar on the right.

PS: please ignore the desk-mess in the background

 

[jordan]

wow thats a big tank you have there Joan.

 

[rheann]

Thanks Joan

I'm going to try and hook it together either tonight or tomorrow and see if everything is in working order. I wish however that it had come with the Ceramic rings, now I have to make a trip to the store for them. But I guess it's ok since I have to go get my sand anyway, which will be on monday.

I'll set it up with the spray bar on one side and the intake tube on the other

There's a lot of parts, I am amazed!

Lol Joan, you should see my computer work space! It looks like a Tornado hit it! Artwork, sketches, scribbled writing, printed out typed documents, ect.

 

[jordan]

Rheann, be sure to post lots of pictures of the tank when its ready!

 

[joan]

Not all the pieces will end up being used. Although I did use all the pieces for the intake tube. Try to put it just above the sand. Mine's still about two inches shy. I put the aerator extension on the spraybar, and don't use it. I like the intake being on the opposite side. I feel it makes for more complete filtration.

 

[rob]

thx for the info on the spray bar Cynthia

if i had known they made one i probably would have just brought it lol, cause now i gotta try find the suction cap thingies to make it look spick

nice looking set up there Joan, plenty of room

i also like the idea of the rock below ur intake
"i guess to stop sand etc." i didnt even think of having the intake @ 1 end and the External @ the other

and now iv'e cut my hoses
does ur spray bar create any noise ?

i gotta say when i first got my filter and saw all them parts it sort of freaked my out lol, but after i read the instructions, i was laughing

 

[joan]

Since you've got your spraybar going all the way across the tank, you get basically the same effect. But you can go to a home improvement store and get more hoses. just take a piece of your hose with you, and they'll be able to find hose that's similar. Make sure you get food-water safe hoses. Alternately, you can buy hose online. I've used autoclave hosing before with no problems.

The rock is there just because that was convenient, and from the front it kind of hides the big gap between the sand and the intake.

The spraybar is SILENT! I love it!

(Message edited by Joan on November 10, 2005)

 

[rob]

i actually used to sell hose rope pumps etc when i used to work for a marine chandlery, so i know a bit about hose etc it's just the hose that came with my filter is ribbed so "no kinking" and with the fittings on my pump i need a rubber connector cause they actually get screwed into place
i'm sure i can get a replacement...

The spraybar is SILENT! I love it!

i had a first attempt at making one but it wasnt too good lol hence why i said holes must be in a straight line and u also need to drill a good smooth hole other wise it will make a spitting noise

 

[maja]

hmm I dont like the tank.. looks so unrealistic to me..