CO2 isn't really a complication. A DIY system takes about ten minutes to build, and only 2 minutes once ever 2 weeks to refill. It's really really worth the "effort". And it's probably the cheapest tank investment you will make.
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Yeap, that's pretty much what I was planning. 
This is a first tank, after all, so no point in getting 'hard to keep' plants & animals.
If this tank goes well, I will be looking into turning the 30G into a sump for a 100+ gallon tank, and then I would use a CO2 system (with proper overflow to eliminate off-gassing, of course).
Thanks for the input, though, appreciated!
This is a first tank, after all, so no point in getting 'hard to keep' plants & animals.If this tank goes well, I will be looking into turning the 30G into a sump for a 100+ gallon tank, and then I would use a CO2 system (with proper overflow to eliminate off-gassing, of course).
Thanks for the input, though, appreciated!
9
Pics!
The new display tank, 50G, 36x18x18.
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The sump, 30G, 36x18x12:
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MTS process...
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Plexiglas egg-crate ledging & baffles cut.
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Driftwood cleansing.
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The new display tank, 50G, 36x18x18.
The sump, 30G, 36x18x12:
MTS process...
Plexiglas egg-crate ledging & baffles cut.
Driftwood cleansing.
4
Returns made to Lowe's, and the stuff from Pets and Ponds got here already!
Bulkheads, gravel, and loc-line pieces. The loc-line, handily enough, fit my two pumps' outlets, so they are now pushing water around in the 50G so I can get a feel for how much power I'm dealing with. Thus far, quite turbulent in there...the losses from pushing up the return piping should give me just what I need.
Apologies for the poor pictures - BlackBerry was all I had.
Kill-a-watt measuring 91-92 watts with both pumps in operation.
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Side-by-side comparison of the 50G and 30G tanks.
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The pump with attached loc-line.
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Blurry picture of the surface movement.
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Bulkheads, gravel, and loc-line pieces. The loc-line, handily enough, fit my two pumps' outlets, so they are now pushing water around in the 50G so I can get a feel for how much power I'm dealing with. Thus far, quite turbulent in there...the losses from pushing up the return piping should give me just what I need.
Apologies for the poor pictures - BlackBerry was all I had.
Kill-a-watt measuring 91-92 watts with both pumps in operation.
Side-by-side comparison of the 50G and 30G tanks.
The pump with attached loc-line.
Blurry picture of the surface movement.
2
Cleaned the 30G and 20G today with vinegar and water. Taped the tank for baffle attachment. Learned a few things.
1. Just because the bottle says 'Silicone I' doesn't mean it's clear. Protip: When it's labelled 'white', it is indeed white.
2. Mask off the baffle, too.
3. Wear a breather - fumes are nasty.
4. Dry-fit everything first. Obvious, but easy to overlook.
5. Use a little bit of silicon to start, then add extra once things are in place.
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So instead of a 1.5" lower opening, I now have a 3/4" lower opening because I assumed I had dry-fit it already. I probably had, but then that was before the measurements were finalized.
I also got silicon all over the baffle panel itself. All that aside, it should turn out functional - and that's all that matters for this first try. In an hour or two I'll do the secondary baffle panel.
1. Just because the bottle says 'Silicone I' doesn't mean it's clear. Protip: When it's labelled 'white', it is indeed white.
2. Mask off the baffle, too.
3. Wear a breather - fumes are nasty.
4. Dry-fit everything first. Obvious, but easy to overlook.
5. Use a little bit of silicon to start, then add extra once things are in place.
So instead of a 1.5" lower opening, I now have a 3/4" lower opening because I assumed I had dry-fit it already. I probably had, but then that was before the measurements were finalized.
I also got silicon all over the baffle panel itself. All that aside, it should turn out functional - and that's all that matters for this first try. In an hour or two I'll do the secondary baffle panel.
8
Added in the second baffle, learned another lesson: Don't mask somewhere that won't be accessible after gluing. Protip.
Second baffle tank masking:
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Second baffle masked:
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View of the baffle from the outside:
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Second baffle in place:
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Had a family outing to the local shops, came home with...
22 packs of scrubbies (132 total):
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Cut the trays:
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And glued the tray rests/ledges:
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Tomorrow I'll remove all the masking, place the scrubbies and trays, and start work on the sump stand. Will also drain the 50G and give it a good cleaning/rinsing, and start work on the drill press stand so I'm not drilling these holes by hand.
Second baffle tank masking:
Second baffle masked:
View of the baffle from the outside:
Second baffle in place:
Had a family outing to the local shops, came home with...
22 packs of scrubbies (132 total):
Cut the trays:
And glued the tray rests/ledges:
Tomorrow I'll remove all the masking, place the scrubbies and trays, and start work on the sump stand. Will also drain the 50G and give it a good cleaning/rinsing, and start work on the drill press stand so I'm not drilling these holes by hand.
Yay!
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What I learned:
1. I might need more pot scrubbies.
2. I definitely need to add center supports and then cut the eggcrate trays into halves - impossible to fit inside the tank.
Edit: 3. Change order so that pattern is symmetrical.
What I learned:
1. I might need more pot scrubbies.
2. I definitely need to add center supports and then cut the eggcrate trays into halves - impossible to fit inside the tank.
Edit: 3. Change order so that pattern is symmetrical.
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