small size tank top ATS for fresh water

[Keithp]

I suspect mine starts letting go at about 11 days with the 23 watt bulb but it is hard to tell for sure. It clearly thickened until day 10. Ultimately I expect to clean weekly unless my attempts at redesigning for 3d growth require more time.

I had hair algae introduced as a hitchhiker on a plant around 1983 and have to keep a lot of plants or a pleco in my tanks now or it takes over the whole tank in 2 weeks. This algae grows pretty well with less light than most plants require. I lost all my tanks in an earthquake in 1989 and the algae came back after a couple of years of being dry on gravel, boxed, and cooked in the attic. I am glad I can make use of it now.

I had another thought about applying this scrubber concept with a box around the light on a larger tank. It should be possible to run 2 of these connected together without upsizing the pump if an electronic valve was on each exit. The valves would keep the algae submerged when not lit and the water would flow down the other scrubber. Each scrubber can only run for 12 hours though. It seems like this idea could also be applied to the SM100 but that would be a very big tank and most big tanks have dumps. On a system with a sump, you need the pump size anyway so it probably isn't worth paying for the valves.

[Floyd R Turbo]

I always wondered exactly how difficult it was to keep a tank in an earthquake zone. Not to go OT but I would think that would wreak havoc on tank joints/seams.

[Keithp]

I always wondered exactly how difficult it was to keep a tank in an earthquake zone. Not to go OT but I would think that would wreak havoc on tank joints/seams.

One of these days I will start a thread on the subject on RC. I have started writing a post twice now but never felt I had it right. For now I will tell you don't worry about the seams. My tanks were all impact losses. The 55 rolled off the unbraced metal stand breaking on the floor and it's pump shattered my 25 and 20 that were on the shelf below. A good braced stand with wide, heavy base will probably save most tanks. The safer tanks are also shorter than their width. There isn't much you can do to stop some water from sloshing out because you wouldn't be able to maintain a tank with sides much over 30" and the taller it is, the more likely it is to roll. Better to let some water out than to loose it all.

[Keithp]

This time it shows less growth because I burned it half way through with a 40 watt bulb and then forgot to increase the timer settings. The water is mostly clear still.



Ammonia = 0 = same
Nitrate = 40 = higher
Nitrite = 0.5 = same
I suspect this indicates a mini cycle in the tank from burning algae. I have continued to change 35% of the water every 2 weeks after taking the readings.

I ran the scrubber the past 2 weeks without the bottom panel to see if algae would affect the outlet. It did not so I think a slightly different configuration of the panels would be helpful. I am going to make some alterations to the panels and/or a light enclosure this week if I have time. I have a couple of experiments I want to try.

[Floyd R Turbo]

Tank looks MUCH better!!!

[kerry]

Even in my FW I have to change water but, a lot less. Once a month instead of about twice a week. Mine has two 9x7 screens and these need cleaning every 4 days. That is enough for 10.5 cubes but I hardly feed 6!!!

[SantaMonica]

I like the blue setting.

[kerry]

I like the blue setting.

Blue??? What am I missing?? OH, the background of the tank!!!! Yes its better then the old green. LOL I had to look at the pic again.

[Keithp]

I like the blue setting.

Thanks,

I like blue too but it is too sterile without lots of other decorations. The blue rock highlights fish poo. My wife chose it so I won't be changing. I wish I could grow some plants in there but the fish eat them too quick or pull them out of the gravel. Our small planted tank has a mix of black and blue gravel which I think looks better.

[Ace25]

I always wondered exactly how difficult it was to keep a tank in an earthquake zone. Not to go OT but I would think that would wreak havoc on tank joints/seams.

Here you go.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...v=HWhI6QaJq2Y#!