Javascript Disabled Detected

You currently have javascript disabled. Several functions may not work. Please re-enable javascript to access full functionality.

New 125 Semi River Biotope

Started by Guest_biggreenavalanche_* , Apr 08 2013 11:32 AM

Prev

Next
»

Please log in to reply

80 replies to this topic

#21 Guest_biggreenavalanche_*

Guests

Posted 15 April 2013 - 01:05 PM

That was perfect Rich, thanks... sometimes I am a little too detailed, but you fulfilled my curiosity... now I understand where you were filling water and why... I had heard that before about the glass drills, but just didn't put it all together.

I tend to get a little long winded, LOL, but seriously long as the tank isn't tempered, keep the bit lubed and go for it...I've heard that some glass buisness places will give you scrap glass to pracice on...

Rich

Back to top

#22 Guest_biggreenavalanche_*

Guests

Posted 15 April 2013 - 01:09 PM

Well, I finally started my 125 gallon river semi-biotope. This weekend I got the load bearing structure done on the stand, drilled three holes in the back of the tank for a "beananimal" overflow, installed the bulkheads, put the tank on the stand and filled it, and drank a few liquid refreshments. (filled it for an overnight leak test/stand test) By Wednesday I plan on having the river manifold built and installed and by next week I should have the glass I ordered in and installed for the interior "coast to coast" overflow. I will be finishing the stand in red oak furniture grade plywood and red oak trim ( to match existing cabinets ) and, if all goes well should start cycling the tank by mid to end of April. If somebody could tell me how to post pics from an Ipad I would be happy to post...

I have to build a sump and one question I have is this, is a 29 gallon tall a suitable selection for a sump ?

I will also be starting on a 3D background, we'll see how that comes out, LOL !

Another question I have I asked on the different forum but didn't get an answer...basically I plan on about an inch of clay based dirt overlayed by an inch to two inches of natural (from the river) gravel, sand, and boulders...Would this make a decent substrate ? I do plan on some native plants, just not a whole lot. I see a lot of refrences to "kitty litter", what is it's purpose and do I need to use it ?

I currently have a large piece of driftwood soaking...any advice on how long to soak ? It is soaking in a rain water tub...

My tenative species list is:
Orange spot sunfish
Blue spot sunfish
Rainbow Darter
Greenside Darter
Banded Darter
Blue Breast Darter (maybe)
Red Fin Shiner
Southern Redbelly Dace
Tadpole matdom (maybe)

Candy Darter (wish list)
Tangerine Darter (wish list)

Any further suggestions ?

The reason I'm calling this tank a "semi-biotope" is with the exception of the Blue Spotted Sunfish, and my two "wish list" fish, all the fish currently exist in Eagle Creek in southern Ohio. Will be making a collecting trip there in late May...should be a blast !

To date costs...
-Tank $125.00
-Wood $85.00
-PVC/Bulkhead $60.00
-Already had all the screws
n such to put the stand
together, so no cost...
-1 3/4 inch diamond hole
saw bit $16.00
-Liquid refreshment $15.00

-Still on the purchase list are two powerheads, a tank pump for the sump filter, lighting ( which I have not yet addressed, design wise), a power strip or box, and the "ingredients" for a decent 3D background...

Thoughts, comments, or recommendations are most welcome !

Thanks,

Rich

Spent $40.00 on two powerheads and $13.00 on the styrofoam to start background ...So, $354.00 total so far for set up ...seems reasonable ... Still have to buy main pump and finish wood for stand...

Edited by biggreenavalanche, 15 April 2013 - 01:23 PM.

Back to top

#23 Guest_Yeahson421_*

Guests

Posted 15 April 2013 - 05:10 PM

I'm really excited to see it get done!

Back to top

#24 Guest_biggreenavalanche_*

Guests

Posted 15 April 2013 - 06:10 PM

I'm really excited to see it get done!

Me to !

Sure hope my dream/vision matches reality ! Will be collecting last week of may in Ohio/Kentucky...can't wait ! Ordered glass for the coast to coast to day...$56.00 for all of it...

Back to top

#25 Guest_biggreenavalanche_*

Guests

Posted 07 June 2013 - 11:23 AM

Just a quick update...the tank is up and running...having trouble getting it to cycle, 2ppm ammonia, 0ppm nitrite, 0ppm nitrate, using ammonia and sea chem stability to get the cycle started, 10 days and no change...any advice except wait ?...went to Ohio, from a collecting standpoint it was a total failure...from a fishing/enjoying the creek, an outstanding success !

Back to top

#26 Guest_EricaWieser_*

Guests

Posted 07 June 2013 - 01:08 PM

Just a quick update...the tank is up and running...having trouble getting it to cycle, 2ppm ammonia, 0ppm nitrite, 0ppm nitrate, using ammonia and sea chem stability to get the cycle started, 10 days and no change...any advice except wait ?...went to Ohio, from a collecting standpoint it was a total failure...from a fishing/enjoying the creek, an outstanding success !

At 10 days the ammonia would be high, yes.
Check out this figure: http://faq.thekrib.com/n-cycle.gif
Posted Image

The ammonia will begin to drop off around two weeks in and will be mostly gone by day 20. Nitrite starts rising around day 10 and will continue to rise until about day 25. Around day 40 the nitrite will be down to 0 ppm and if you've got a measurable nitrate, the tank is fully cycled.

API Quick Start is bacteria in a bottle. It's $8 to $20 at Pet Supplies Plus. It has a two year shelf life.

Live plants eat ammonium, too. Check out Figure 2, they will remove 2 ppm ammonia in 4 hours. http://www.theaquari...ical_Filtration

Edited by EricaWieser, 07 June 2013 - 01:09 PM.

Back to top

#27 Guest_biggreenavalanche_*

Guests

Posted 07 June 2013 - 02:30 PM

Thanks Erica...you've kinda relieved some of my concern...hoping the nitrite will rise in the next couple of days...anxious to get started with FISH !!!! LOLOL ! will eventually have some plants compatible with high current...right now I'm moving somewhere around 2800 gallons per hour the length of the tank in keeping with the stream/river biotope theme...if you've any recommendations for high current tolerant plant life I'd love to hear them...thanks again...Rich

ps...ph is around 7.6, no lighting as of yet...probably will be done with the lighting hood/system late next week...substrate is coarse pebble over fine pebble over fine sand...about 3-4 inches deep...

Back to top

#28 Guest_Yeahson421_*

Guests

Posted 07 June 2013 - 04:09 PM

You should throw some pictures up!

Back to top

#29 Guest_EricaWieser_*

Guests

Posted 07 June 2013 - 04:42 PM

if you've any recommendations for high current tolerant plant life I'd love to hear them

Floating plants like najas guadalupensis, riccia fluitans, ricciocarpus natans, and ceratophyllum demersum. Rooted plants like vallisneria americana and elodea/egeria densa. Rooted plants will need a bit of nutrients under all that rock and silicon dioxide. You can insert Jobes fertilizer sticks for cheap; they're $1 for a pack of more than two dozen at Walmart. You can also link a second tank to this one and run the water through both. The plants in the second tank could easily filter both. I recommend a nutritious substrate for the planted tank (like soil or pure clay kitty litter) so you don't have to keep adding fertilizer sticks once a month. That gets annoying.

How to link a tank with yours for $10 of PVC + price of pump:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65yVr7DiDls

Edited by EricaWieser, 07 June 2013 - 04:43 PM.

Back to top

#30 Guest_biggreenavalanche_*

Guests

Posted 08 June 2013 - 01:22 PM

Erica, cool, muchas gracias...yeahson, I will shortly...

Edited by biggreenavalanche, 08 June 2013 - 01:22 PM.

Back to top

#31 Guest_biggreenavalanche_*

Guests

Posted 09 July 2013 - 10:01 AM

Yay ! Tank is fully cycled !...here are some pics...the fish are fiery backs, yellow fins, rosy side dace, for now...will add a few more but will be all darters...there are 3 sea green darters, just no pics...

Attached Files

tank pics 003.jpg 111.38KB 16 downloads

Back to top

#32 Guest_Kanus_*

Guests

Posted 09 July 2013 - 10:56 AM

Great looking tank! However, I demand more fieryblack pictures

Back to top

#33 Guest_biggreenavalanche_*

Guests

Posted 09 July 2013 - 11:23 AM

Thanks ! I'll try to get you some, they just dont sit still long enough !

Back to top

#34 Guest_clemsons2k_*

Guests

Posted 09 July 2013 - 11:49 AM

Fantastic looking tank! Lucky fish haha

Back to top

#35 Guest_biggreenavalanche_*

Guests

Posted 09 July 2013 - 02:14 PM

Thanks...They seem happy, love the current and are total PIGS when it's feeding time ! Particulary the fiery back and yellow fin...both will slide up into the feeding tube ! BTW, they were feeding the first day in the tank !

Back to top

#36 Michael Wolfe

Board of Directors

North Georgia, Oconee River Drainage

Posted 09 July 2013 - 03:22 PM

now you understad the wonder that is the shiner mentality... food food food go go go... you cnnot take my picture without a high speed camera, but you must feed me... I love stream tanks and shiners! Nice job.

Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing. - Benjamin Franklin

Back to top

#37 Guest_sbtgrfan_*

Guests

Posted 09 July 2013 - 05:36 PM

Very cool tank. Those males started to spar with each other yet?

Back to top

#38 Guest_Yeahson421_*

Guests

Posted 09 July 2013 - 05:49 PM

Wow, the tank looks amazing! Can't wait until there are some darters!

Back to top

#39 Guest_biggreenavalanche_*

Guests

Posted 09 July 2013 - 10:17 PM

Thanks, yep they display and spar all the time, particularly when establishing feeding stations at dinner time ! Darters are on the way...will have just a couple more plants as well...just for gee wiz, I'm putting almost 3000 gph from right to left as you look at the front, they love it...I will eventually establish a hydroponic pothos arrangement fed by tank water, will be an experiment in nitrate management...that will be after I get the hood finished....will keep y'all posted...