|
|
Post by jmerr86 on Dec 27, 2015 14:46:18 GMT -5
So I finally go the bug after reading a cpl of these threads so I though I would try my luck at a mixed brackish tank. My question is filters... I have about two of every type of SW filter (skimmers, wet-dry, mechanical) and would like to use one of those and though were so many of you have both types of tanks some one would tell me what would be the best?
|
|
|
|
Post by fermentedhiker on Dec 27, 2015 16:46:30 GMT -5
Best? that's hard to say as everyone's tank and goals are a bit different. Most filters whether HOB, canister, or wet/dry have some form of the three primary forms of filtration(mechanical, chemical, and biological). That being said the wet/dry is far and away the most efficient biological filter of them, so that would generally be my vote. Depending on your stocklist since some brackish fish are quite messy feeders(scats etc...) efficient prefiltering is essential if your using a wet/dry to keep it from getting clogged with detritus. The skimmier will be of little use in brackish since it won't be able to make much skimmate in the low SG water.
What are you thinking of keeping? I always wanted to set up a tank of true brackish damsels(kind of like a brackish version of a african mbuna tank)
|
|
|
|
Post by spotfin on Dec 27, 2015 17:05:27 GMT -5
Yeah, go with a wet/dry if you have one. If not, I would suggest a HOB. I'm not a fan of canister filters.
What size tank are you setting up and any particular livestock? I've always liked the spotted/figure 8 puffers, scats, and orange chromids. Mollies would work too.
|
|
|
|
Post by jmerr86 on Dec 27, 2015 21:54:05 GMT -5
It's a 30 tall and were doing the puffer thing with mangroves and such
|
|
|
|
Post by spotfin on Dec 28, 2015 17:06:34 GMT -5
Should be nice. Post pics as you go.
|
|
|
|
Post by jmerr86 on Jan 4, 2016 13:16:29 GMT -5
So the puffer thing is out after doing some research. In the end if I had wonted another SW tank I would have just left it running the way it was so now I'm thinking planted and I thinking more moss and trees like a forest. That being said I'm in the great debate on what the do about substrate. I have a bunch of sand I'm cleansing from the tank I'm now building (same sand from cleaning old sand post) and was wondering if I should even use it or just go all new and what I should use for a base?
|
|
|
|
Post by fermentedhiker on Jan 4, 2016 22:29:41 GMT -5
If you're talking aragonite sand I would probably not use it in a FW planted setup unless your goal is a hardwater biotype. If I use sand I do PFS(pool filter sand) if I want a light substrate or black diamond sand blasting grit(med) if I want it dark.
In the past I usually use miracle grow organic potting soil capped with either flourite or eco-complete. The eco-complete looks better but they are both similar in that they are high cec. And both do a poor job of holding plants down or allowing you to create mounds or tiers in the scape.
|
|
|
|
Post by spotfin on Jan 4, 2016 22:52:18 GMT -5
Yeah, skip the aragonite sand. You could always set up a tank and use that sand for brackish environment, plus set up another planted tank.  ? |
|
|
|
Post by georgemygoldfish on Jan 5, 2016 10:04:53 GMT -5
I like the look of pool filter sand in my planted tanks. To me it just looks nice and natural..... Just make sure it's pool filter sand and not play sand. You have to rinse both of them first, and the play sand is really dirty and you'll be rinsing it forever.
I don't use any fancy substrates underneath it, because the sand will eventually settle down and mix with it, and it doesn't look very nice. I just use lots of API root tabs and have been able to grow pretty much anything. If the plant is nutrient hungry, just give it extra. I also dose the water column with Seachem's Iron, Phosphate, Potassium and Trace. Seachems root tabs are trace only. But I put some of those in as well.
I tried making the home made root tabs with plant fertilizer, but the gel caps melted and I wound up with little fertilizer balls all over the place. Still picking them out. I'm afraid the cory cats might try and eat them.
I've been curious about trying a dirted tank, but I heard they were really messy to vacum.
|
|
|
|
Post by jmerr86 on Jan 6, 2016 17:10:21 GMT -5
 ii You mean this? |
|
|
|
Post by fermentedhiker on Jan 6, 2016 17:59:09 GMT -5
Yes that's the stuff. Just rinse it real good
|
|
|
|
Post by jmerr86 on Jan 6, 2016 19:16:47 GMT -5
So I shouldn't put a layer of gravel or anything under neath hunh?
|
|
|
|
Post by fermentedhiker on Jan 6, 2016 20:28:05 GMT -5
So I shouldn't put a layer of gravel or anything under neath hunh? Nope unless you want to  . Gravel would be pointless. It would work as a cap for soil if you were headed that direction, but I'd experiment with a small tank to try out doing a dirted setup before committing to it for a larger tank. It's inert sand essentially. |
|
|
|
Post by georgemygoldfish on Jan 6, 2016 20:36:11 GMT -5
Yeah, if you put a layer of larger gravel underneath, the pretty black blasting sand will eventually settle down underneath it and the gravel will show. It's just like how the smaller bits and crumbs end up at the bottom of a cereal box or potato chip bag. Those types of foods always have that warning that "some settling may have occurred".... And it won't look as pretty....
Although I've never tried a dirted tank (on my bucket list) I would imagine the same thing would happen if you tried a dirted bottom with a sand cap...
Black substrates are really popular and they make the colors of the fish and plants POP!
But for some reason I still like the natural look so I go for the pool sand...
|
|
|
|
Post by jmerr86 on Jan 6, 2016 21:35:20 GMT -5
The tank is a 29 tall that's built into an old closet that was all black were I housed an angler so in going all black agin but Planted this time
|
|
?
