[madyotto]

hi all

i have brought a new tank that was setup as a marine tank.

i only intend to use it for fresh water but the tank has a huge internal sump at the back of the tank and i plan for some very good D.I.Y filtration and other D.I.Y projects for the tank

the tank will be planted and have a sand floor

Now here are my questions:

1.
Can i use the protein skimmer that come with the tank and would there be any advantage in doing so if so how big an advantage?

2.
Would it be worth me making a sand filter in the back of the tank?
if so what would be the pro's and con's

3.
Can i boil and reuse the sand that come with the tank Dead - live sand?

4.
And is there any way i can reuse the rock and other ornament?
if so how do i clean?


thanks for you reply's in advance
:-D :lol: :lol: :-D

 

[fish monger]

Having trouble picturing the internal sump. What size is the tank ? I'm having trouble finding references now; however, I know I read that protein skimmers can be beneficial for fresh water tanks. I think it was as a nitrate filter. Personally, I wouldn't reuse the substrate or ornaments. The sand in freshwater tanks is preferably inert. The type used in salt water tanks typically is meant to act as a buffer. Have any pics ?

 

[madyotto]

Having trouble picturing the internal sump. What size is the tank ? I'm having trouble finding references now; however, I know I read that protein skimmers can be beneficial for fresh water tanks. I think it was as a nitrate filter. Personally, I wouldn't reuse the substrate or ornaments. The sand in freshwater tanks is preferably inert. The type used in salt water tanks typically is meant to act as a buffer. Have any pics ?

i will post pics later

i think but maybe wrong that it could be crushed corel

after reading that skimmers take most of the Co2 out of the water so no good in a planted tank so im looking at reusing the skimmer as a D.I.Y sand filter

 

[Agent13]

Don't really have anything to add but I did the same thing a little while ago but after the pain in a butt cleaning job I did on the tank, overflow and sump to de-salt the setup(I ditched the skimmer) I set it up started it and put the fish in then decided I hated it. Sump was too loud for my prefference and overflow took up too much tank space and just didn't look good. Took the whole setup apart ripped the overflow out plugged the holes and set it up with a canister.... much happier now.
You are in for ALOT of work.

 

[madyotto]

Don't really have anything to add but I did the same thing a little while ago but after the pain in a butt cleaning job I did on the tank, overflow and sump to de-salt the setup(I ditched the skimmer) I set it up started it and put the fish in then decided I hated it. Sump was too loud for my prefference and overflow took up too much tank space and just didn't look good. Took the whole setup apart ripped the overflow out plugged the holes and set it up with a canister.... much happier now.
You are in for ALOT of work.

the sump is built into the tank it's self not the cabinet like external sumps like i have on my other tank


but here are some pic's to help give you a better idea what i am working with

any ideas on the substrate maybe crushed corel ?

 

[FishyFishy89]

looks like crushed coral. honestly, i'd be hesitant using a salt tank for a fresh tank unless it's been sitting dry for quite a long time....

 

[JDM]

At the very least toss the substrate and rocks.

Jeff.

 

[madyotto]

At the very least toss the substrate and rocks.

Jeff.

im not questioning any of your answers but why should i throw substrate and ornaments ?

does crushed coral act as a buffer ? as i quite like the look of it i have cleaned it very well

with the rock ornaments i just plan on pouring a large pan of boiling water over them slowly

what harm would either one do ?

thanks in advance

 

[Agent13]

So on my phone and betting on my computer I'm having trouble seeing where is the tank the sump is located. But that does look like crushed coral. I'm that crazy type that would figure put how to strip that tank bare and start over. However I can't speak for the skimmer I would say clean empty and dry the whole thing throw everything out that isn't attached (ie the substrate and such) Run it for a day or so with a VERY diluted bleach water then dry and sit it in the sun then fill and run again with a strongly Primed water solution then empty and dry again before you set it up as fresh water. Good luck


Sent from Petguide.com App

 

[JDM]

The coral will raise the KH as it dissolves, rocks will likely do the same. Boiling water won't change this.

Jeff.

 

[madyotto]

The coral will raise the KH as it dissolves, rocks will likely do the same. Boiling water won't change this.

Jeff.

ahh i see said the blind man thank you

just means i gotta wait till Thursday for sand

think i'm going with natural sand and going to DIY a sand water fall and maybe a volcano for the kids amusement lol pics will follow

along with a sand filter, carbon sacks, peat balls, bio balls, foam padding

and lots of plants


Internal Sump

Pumps Thermostat and Skimmer

Wier

Pre Filter

hope this helps

 

[JDM]

If you want to save yourself some money, skip the carbon and bio-balls... or I could just send you mine from my canister filter package.

Carbon removes things that the plants use, basically the plants do mostly the same function and the carbon "competes" with the plants. Don't use carbon with plants.

Bio balls are, literally, a waste of space and money. If you are going to do a sand filter this will house more nitrifying bio-film by factors of ten than the bio balls ever could.

Jeff

 

[FishyFishy89]

ditto....totally skip the carbon. Carbon should only be used when your finished medicating your tank, if it happens to become infected.

Since you are doing a sand filter, ditch the bio balls. It holds more BB than the bio balls. I use bio balls with my ceramics. But that's only because it came with my canister and I only had enough ceramics to fill half my canister trays. So far it's working out great.