Hello all,
I've completed building a stand/rack (pics to come) for three-tiers of tanks. The stand/rack will hold:
(from top-down)
Shelf 1: 6 10g
Shelf 2: 2 20g
Shelf 3: 1 20g, 3 10g
Stock:
fish: cichlids, angels
plants: anubias, java fern, java moss (all low-light)
other: nerite and/or japanese trapdoor snails
Filtration:
I plan to use hydro sponge filters, and maybe diy sponge filters later on powered by a central pump.
Lighting:
Simple T8 units will suffice. I plan to pick there up at a local Lowes. Electrician will be installing 3 more circuits with 2 hardwired timers. All will be GFCI.
Plumbing:
I plan to run pvc from the shelf unit to the backyard to dispense with used water during water changes.
This is my first time building out a fish room, so I have some questions. Any help is greatly apprecitated.
1. What is the recommended air pump to use for this setup? Sound is once concern, but more important to me is sizing correctly so filtration is adequate across all filters. I'm leaning toward the Coralife Super Luft Air Pump: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3669+14684&pcatid=14684 Thoughts?
2. Water Changes: This thought has been tormenting me all week. The bottom tanks will sit ~6" from the ground. Gravel vac will be difficult at that level. So I thought of having tanks drilled and I can simply turn a knob to empty the tanks out. The problem is that I've read horror stories on drilling 10g cheapo glass tanks. I'm curious as to what simple or automated ways you guys use to flush water from your tanks from a bottom shelf. Pump?
I've completed building a stand/rack (pics to come) for three-tiers of tanks. The stand/rack will hold:
(from top-down)
Shelf 1: 6 10g
Shelf 2: 2 20g
Shelf 3: 1 20g, 3 10g
Stock:
fish: cichlids, angels
plants: anubias, java fern, java moss (all low-light)
other: nerite and/or japanese trapdoor snails
Filtration:
I plan to use hydro sponge filters, and maybe diy sponge filters later on powered by a central pump.
Lighting:
Simple T8 units will suffice. I plan to pick there up at a local Lowes. Electrician will be installing 3 more circuits with 2 hardwired timers. All will be GFCI.
Plumbing:
I plan to run pvc from the shelf unit to the backyard to dispense with used water during water changes.
This is my first time building out a fish room, so I have some questions. Any help is greatly apprecitated.
1. What is the recommended air pump to use for this setup? Sound is once concern, but more important to me is sizing correctly so filtration is adequate across all filters. I'm leaning toward the Coralife Super Luft Air Pump: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3669+14684&pcatid=14684 Thoughts?
2. Water Changes: This thought has been tormenting me all week. The bottom tanks will sit ~6" from the ground. Gravel vac will be difficult at that level. So I thought of having tanks drilled and I can simply turn a knob to empty the tanks out. The problem is that I've read horror stories on drilling 10g cheapo glass tanks. I'm curious as to what simple or automated ways you guys use to flush water from your tanks from a bottom shelf. Pump?
