Joe Posted November 28, 2011 Report Share Posted November 28, 2011 Seriously that stuff will cloud your water like crazy if it gets into the water column. I bought a bag once and tested it in a bucket and decided that it was too messy and would be best only for a long-term setup like a dutch tank or something. I just wanted a bit to cap with some gravel for growing plants short-term until I can get a better tank. But then if I went to change things around or remove the substrate I could foresee the mess it wouldmake and I didn't use it and just turfed it into the garden. 3cm minimum, and I'd get something that packs together fairly well like fine sand. I've had great results from the JBL balls and they don't create any mess if they're disturbed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squirt Posted November 28, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 28, 2011 :slfg: okay 3cm it is. Yeah I should've just gone with JBL balls only root plant is dwarf hairgrass :roll: oh well guess if I want to grow any other plants it'd be good. Thanks joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the-obstacle Posted November 28, 2011 Report Share Posted November 28, 2011 Yeah, you'll want to aim for 3cm but a little bit less in the tops of the bumps won't hurt. It WILL mess your water up if you move any plants later on but it takes about 4 or so hours to clear up with a good filter. Are you going for a hairgrass carpet? It'll grow really really well in a sand like daltons #1 or builders mix. I found my hairgrass tended to grow on top of the silica sand I had, because it compacts down too much, but it grew through the daltons sand (which is what I think you're hoping to achieve). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squirt Posted November 28, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 28, 2011 The hairgrass was actuall going to be a background like I've seen in some other nanos, was going to do something different and do a riccia lawn :thup: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squirt Posted November 28, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 28, 2011 Okay, I've been given some suggestions on another site, I'm thinking the rocks aren't right. Any places locally to get nice aquascaping rocks that look more natural? I liked the way the rocks are scaled but not the rocks? I don't really know where to go from here :dunno: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the-obstacle Posted November 28, 2011 Report Share Posted November 28, 2011 Really? I like them and think once the carpet and hairgrass are in place they'll look really really good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Li@m Posted November 28, 2011 Report Share Posted November 28, 2011 I like the second Pic. But to make it more interesting, turn the big rock in the middle around so it points in the other direction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squirt Posted November 28, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 28, 2011 Okay will do, I'll get some pics up later on, just bought some hairgrass and some riccia and my lights on its way :thup: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squirt Posted November 28, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 28, 2011 Okay a few different ways, and 20kg of rock later with 5 nice usable pieces :facepalm: 1. Or 2. With 1. I'm not sure about the rocks at the front, sorry about the lighting it doesn't show up very well :smln: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89crwreck Posted November 28, 2011 Report Share Posted November 28, 2011 +1 vote for '1' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the-obstacle Posted November 28, 2011 Report Share Posted November 28, 2011 +1 vote for '1' +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squirt Posted November 29, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 29, 2011 Cool, I quite liked one as well :thup: I'll snap some more pics of it in a second Ok here's the filter so far, it leaks and has no media so yeah.... Canister and pump Pump in lid Cut hole for cord In place Bent piece of Perspex to reinforce the hole made in the side of container The elbow for intake. Note: I later replaced this for a new elbow In place again No major leaks but I'm having trouble sealing the slit cut for the cord :nilly: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nativelover Posted November 29, 2011 Report Share Posted November 29, 2011 wow looks complicated but good any more thoughts about stocking? a nice fighter would look good :happy1: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squirt Posted November 29, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 29, 2011 Yeah I was thinking about a nice red one maybe, probably some ottos to help keep algae in check. Either fighter or dwarf rasboras, but that will wait till next year after we come back from holiday and Xmas and stuff. :nilly: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squirt Posted November 29, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 29, 2011 Okay, I find my filter doesn't work, I have bought a new container and don't want to screw this one up... Okay questions Should the pump be at the top of the filter or the bottom? If I had it at the top like in previous pictures what if there isn't enough water flowing in from the gravity? Ie it's gravity fed, and the pump is pumping out more water than what is being fed? Is this possible? I do not want the pump in the aquarium and don't know how to make it suck instead of push. Can anyone assist in helping with this? Thanks :nilly: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89crwreck Posted November 29, 2011 Report Share Posted November 29, 2011 lol i made one with a systema container like this for my pond. I made mine 'inline' i guess you could call it. Suction hose from pond going to pump inlet, pump outlet going into the canister from the bottom (sealed with silicone), canister filled with media, outlet on lid (hose tail siliconed in place), hose into spray-bar, water into pond. works a treat Don't cut the sealing surface the lid o-ring seals onto. It will leak no matter how much silicone you use haha HTH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squirt Posted November 29, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 29, 2011 So on the In pipe you had it running into the intake of the filter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89crwreck Posted November 29, 2011 Report Share Posted November 29, 2011 here is a to scale engineering CAD drawing to help you understand what i've done :sml1: So on the In pipe you had it running into the intake of the filter? correct. The pump came with some screw in hose tail fittings for the inlet and outlet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squirt Posted November 29, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 29, 2011 Haha cheers mean drawing. I was planning on putting the pump on the outside but it'd be a pain because it's got a grate before the filter and it's like meh. I'll have to cut the container and I'll only slit it so if I dill a hole for the cord and a slit from the top to the drilled hole, if that makes sense.... We shall see how it seals. This new container I bought doesn't seal anyway so I have created a custom seal via the method Ira gave (thanks you ) gave on the other topic, ie put silicone around the lid and then smear Vaseline on it and the press the top and the container together... We shall see how it works. I was asking on plantedtank and they didn't like my hardscape. :slfg: . Oh well I'm no professional just a bored teenager with a hobby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squirt Posted November 29, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 29, 2011 Okay an update on how the tank looks now. I think this is how it will stay, after some guy trying to help me on another forum (just a bit of criticism :thup: ), I think it looks good for a newbie Maybe the front rock on the right move left a bit but I'm not doing any major changes now. Like it, like it not " You learn more from the mistakes than from the successes". I'll post an update on the filter when I'm certain the silicone has cured... Now capped with sand, no going back now... :slfg: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueether Posted November 29, 2011 Report Share Posted November 29, 2011 Should the pump be at the top of the filter or the bottom? If I had it at the top like in previous pictures what if there isn't enough water flowing in from the gravity? Ie it's gravity fed, and the pump is pumping out more water than what is being fed? Is this possible?If you get the container to seal then it will be sucking the water, not just gravity flow. I would drill another hole in the lid for the cord and rewire the plug, but not something I would get joe average to do unless they had a sparky mate The other way could be to take the grill off the pump and see if it can then be attached to a pipe. Goodluck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squirt Posted November 29, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 29, 2011 Hi blueether I will try to get it pressure tight and no I don't have any sparky mates that can do it, so Im kind of stuck putting it inside or outside, if it's outside you don't have to cut the cord and cut open the grate, if it's inside you have to get a sparky to wire it up or cut the container. Hmm I'll think about it today. Thanks Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89crwreck Posted November 29, 2011 Report Share Posted November 29, 2011 my pump is a Hailea similar to yours. that crate thingie just pops off and there's a threaded hole to put your fitting in. I may have a spare hose-tail fitting i could send you if you like? Let me know and i'll have a look if your keen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squirt Posted November 29, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 29, 2011 Hi, I can't seems to get the grate to pop off, I'll keep trying and I'll get back to you on the offer, Thanks Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
si_sphinx Posted November 29, 2011 Report Share Posted November 29, 2011 Drill a whole in the top and cut the wire to put through. Its easy to rewire. Just solder the wires, stagger joins, heat shrink over the soldered joins. And then heat again shrink over the whole lot. Done. Are you using hot glue to seal everything? Silicon might be easier or maybe a plastic welding glue. It looks like a good Idea what you have done. you just need it airtight and you should have the pump sucking water through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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