Turning a HOB power filter into a producing refugium.

So, there I was. Introduction of amphipods seemed to be a complete failure. They where over hunted by obligate carnivores to the point of extirpation. I thought oh well I'll try again, but will make sure the second attempt works. I know I need more structure in the tank, plants just don't cut it(and heavily planted it is). I need driftwood and other things that can serve as hides for the crustaceans(ideas, anyone?).

I was thinking about getting one of those fancy refugiums or making one myself. The idea was very attractive, but I've spent so much money on this hobby on crap that I didn't even need. Like filters and aerators. Plants and Powerheads(w/o the airline, used mostly when lights off) are what I use now. I've got this massive dual marineland filter that had 2 bio wheels and 2 C size carts. It came with the tank, and I used it only during the night period. Anyhow, I'm thinking about all of this and I took a look in it (it was a stretch, needed a flashlight). Inside where at least a dozen of those buggers. They had been in there for 12 days. This was encouraging.

So I add more refuges... need to make it more snack friendly.
Replace filter media with clay combos ( you know the ones with nacho cheese). That should allow some to escape(? not the right word) back into the tank.

I should probably put some sand in the bottom of the filter and put some blackworms in there next time i get some.

Anyway, I know I'm not the first one to discover buggers in his filter, but maybe I'll be one of the first to create a purpose "built/modified" refugium with little or no effort and zero cash (ok, I lied 2 dollars for the ceramic combos).

Pics of filter will come tommrow. I should have the new filter media in a couple days. I'll probably make a run for some amphipods soon. I catch them by putting 1/4" mesh over a sweater box and placing emergent vegatation over the mesh.

OH YEAH LAST NOTE! YOU NEED TO SEE THE ENTIRE PLANET EARTH SERIES BY THE BBC(its on netflix-theres no excuse-I pay for internet and netflix, tv is a waste of time). In lake Baikal (in Siberia) theres these giant amphipods that get 5" long. They get that big because the lake is too cold for the bacteria that eat the decaying organic matter. Also "life in the undergrowth" is hilarious. It shows the mating habits of springtails (if you don't know they're a common herp feeder). For some reason, I'm hungry for nacho pretzels?

I have had success in saltwater tanks with building a small cage out of needlepoint mesh and stuffing it with macroalgae as an in tank refugium. I would think you could apply the same logic to freshwater. I have my scud colony in a 10g with several "globs" of java moss. When I want to feed scuds to a tank I grab one of the moss globs ans place it in the tank I want to feed. the glob of moss prevents the aggressive feeders from hogging all the scuds. The more timid feeders then come out and hunt the rest of them down. I leave it in there for a day or so and then put it back int he scud tank to reseed. It works well for me.

subbed.

I have had success in saltwater tanks with building a small cage out of needlepoint mesh and stuffing it with macroalgae as an in tank refugium. I would think you could apply the same logic to freshwater. I have my scud colony in a 10g with several "globs" of java moss. When I want to feed scuds to a tank I grab one of the moss globs ans place it in the tank I want to feed. the glob of moss prevents the aggressive feeders from hogging all the scuds. The more timid feeders then come out and hunt the rest of them down. I leave it in there for a day or so and then put it back int he scud tank to reseed. It works well for me.

This sounds exactly like what I need. It just needs some camo. And I need to get some java moss or similar. Hmm I could take a deli cup and some use the mesh as a lid. Then I could bury in it the sand, with javamoss on top covering the mesh. One could add a small water pump too. That will have to be my next project.



Bio-wheels where covered in saltwater junk/grime so I tossed them, I bought the tank from some reefer heads
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No scuds here this time ( but I found a couple later during my weekly duckweed eradication attempt)
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Added Sand to the bottom of both filter chambers.
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I removed One filter and filled that side with these ceramic combo filter doodads:
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I've been thinking about putting a 12" striplight over the filter, on a timer of course.
Now I just need to go capture a butt-load of scuds, Hopefully the cold weather hasn't killed them off.

Hey, how is this working out for you? I had some scuds. I was hoping to breed them, but I guess I didn't get them the right food? These are new to me. I have also stopped using filters on most of my tanks as they are very well planted and my electricity bill was outrageous! Maybe I have found a use for the filters? Do you run them at all? Are they always running, just minus sponges?