Scorpio168's Tank & Filtration Options

[scorpio168]

Hi all,

Just want to share with you all. My dry trickle tower setup for my ranchus...









First tray consists of 1 layer blue sponge, 2 layers cotton sponge and bio rings.

Second tray consists of 1 layer blue sponge, 2 layers cotton sponge, cockle shells and bio rings.

Third tray consists of 500 bio balls

Fourth tray consists of 500 bio balls also.

Last tray consists of small corals.

[CP]

This setup is good enough for koi even.May be 'overkill' if its just for ranchus, but then again setting it up is more than half the fun.

Do you buy the filtration setup off the shelf or is the whole thing a DIY?

Replace the filter medias with "bacteria house" and you've got the Bakki Shower system for kois.

I myself use oyster shells as a buffer but you indicated cockle shells.Does cockle shells buffer the water just as well?

[ranchu8]

tks for sharing ... looks like a power ranchu keeper can pls let me know the effect on ranchu between the above system and green water/algae on wall?

[scorpio168]

This setup is good enough for koi even.May be 'overkill' if its just for ranchus, but then again setting it up is more than half the fun.

Do you buy the filtration setup off the shelf or is the whole thing a DIY?

Replace the filter medias with "bacteria house" and you've got the Bakki Shower system for kois.

I myself use oyster shells as a buffer but you indicated cockle shells.Does cockle shells buffer the water just as well?

Haha, yes you are right I am using the theory of rearing koi.

The whole thing is DIY.

No $ for bacteria house and bio-home. So as to cut cost, I use bio balls instead. I read about the effectiveness of bio balls too.

Yes it should be the same thing as cockle shells. Its hard to find oyster shells and cockle is cheaper.

[scorpio168]

tks for sharing ... looks like a power ranchu keeper  can pls let me know the effect on ranchu between the above system and green water/algae on wall?

No lah, I still a beginner.

I took some lastest photos to show you the algae on wall.


There is no green water for this filtration.

[scorpio168]

The only problem I met is the water tends to over-flow from the 2nd tray after sometime. So I have to clean the sponge quite often.
I think I should add more sponge or use foam.
Any idea where can I find re-useable sponge and foam?
I bought my sponge from petmart but dont think its good eonugh.

[chanB]

Very impressive. My officer will never approve this.

Water circulation is not at it's best, unless the water pump can be place at the opposite end.

Chan

[goldrush]

Very impressive setup there. Where is the pump?If you have located the pump just behind the tower then a large part of the filtered water would be drawn back to the TT again .The inlet should be placed preferably at the opposite end of the return to ensure good circulation , optimal and uniform filtration. Just my two cents worth.kekekekeke
Looks like you have to periodically remove unsightly algae from the “glass” panel to view the fish.Do you have visits of gnats and insects with this exposed filtration setup?

[CyberET]

Its hard to find oyster shells and cockle is cheaper.

you can find oyster shells easily at mainland, they sell them by the bags

i bought a 2ft black foam from aquastar, forgotten how much though.

cotton clogs very quickly, but filters very well, foam doesn't do the filtering job as well.
maybe u can extend another tray, foam as prefilter, before reaching the cotton filter, this way, it lasts abit longer before u need to change the cotton.

for the bio filtration part, it'll be better if it can be better shielded from the light, but still allowing lots of airflow. maybe black oyama paper on the glass support will help.

also goldrush's suggestion is something that can be looked into seriously.

its all about poo management

This post has been edited by CyberET: Thu, 09 Mar 2006 11:16 am

[CyberET]

Do  you have visits of gnats and insects with this exposed filtration setup?

i get "earthworms", dragonfly nypmh, snails..
i got a whole ecosystem in my filter

[chanB]

Are those filter element's tray 316 steel tray?

[yckhor]

Hi all,

Just want to share with you all. My dry trickle tower setup for my ranchus...









First tray consists of 1 layer blue sponge, 2 layers cotton sponge and bio rings.

Second tray consists of 1 layer blue sponge, 2 layers cotton sponge, cockle shells and bio rings.

Third tray consists of 500 bio balls

Fourth tray consists of 500 bio balls also.

Last tray consists of small corals.

My hats off.
I was planning to have a similar design as yours. Now, pending Home Minister approval. Looking forward to exchange ideas. Great work!

[scorpio168]

Very impressive. My officer will never approve this.

Water circulation is not at it's best, unless the water pump can be place at the opposite end.

Chan

Oh my base of the glass is not laying flat. Its abit levelled up to allow the waste to flow to the pump.
Right at the opposite end I got my hi-blow with the air stone.
Water circulation shouldnt be a problem.

[scorpio168]

Very impressive setup there. Where is the pump?If you have located the pump just behind the tower then a large part of the filtered water would be drawn back to the TT again .The inlet should be placed preferably at the opposite end of the return to ensure good circulation , optimal and  uniform filtration. Just my two cents worth.kekekekeke
Looks like you have to periodically remove unsightly algae from the “glass” panel to view the fish.Do  you have visits of gnats and insects with this exposed filtration setup?

The pump is at the right side with the pipe attached with a valve. Just beside the tower.
Haha, week by week need to scrap off the algae in order to view the ranchus from side view.
No, no insects etc. As I use a air stone to blow in compartment of the pump for bacteria growth.
But I do have some snails around.

[scorpio168]

you can find oyster shells easily at mainland, they sell them by the bags

i bought a 2ft black foam from aquastar, forgotten how much though.

cotton clogs very quickly, but filters very well, foam doesn't do the filtering job as well.
maybe u can extend another tray, foam as prefilter, before reaching the cotton filter, this way, it lasts abit longer before u need to change the cotton.

for the bio filtration part, it'll be better if it can be better shielded from the light, but still allowing lots of airflow. maybe black oyama paper on the glass support will help.

also goldrush's suggestion is something that can be looked into seriously.

its all about poo management

Oh icic, but on top of my tank is a roof. So not much of sunlight.