cleaning monster tanks

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V

Valous

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jan 14, 2009
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Elkton,md
Hello, I am fairly new to keeping fish so I am still learning a lot and have plans for keeping a lot more fish in the future. I have a feeling that I will be adopting 2 red ear sliders. For those of you that dont know they can get to be 8-13" depending on male and female. So I was thinking about building a monster tank since it would be cheaper and I can builder wider and not so tall.

So my question being when you get a tank up in the 1000 gal area how is the best way to clean the gravel?

BTW here is my turtle as of right now:
100_0258.jpg
 
When i see huge ponds they usually either have sand or are just bare.
 
I was not planning on building a pond cause I would have to bring them in for winter or dig deep cause of cold winters. I was going to build a plywood tank so I can watch them swim and include the basking area for them in the over all design. I was wondering if in the big tanks how people are able to vac the gravel or if the UGJ are able to keep the bottom clean.
 
I wouldn't use an under gravel filter (if that's what you were talking about doing). I've got a Red-Eared Slider who's 6-7". He's in a 100 g right now. He tears up anything not literally siliconed down. I would think you could use a garden hose or python hose just like with a fish tank. Especially if it's going to be lower than a typical fish tank. I just love my turtle! He's awesome.
Good luck with it, they sure grow on you.
 
UGJ, under gravel jets. I read it in a thread and it keeps everything off the gravel by pumping water threw little jet holes. It is just a thought. The 2 i most likely will be adopting are still small, so they will go in my 75 with my turtle for the time being. I just know that RES, Red ear sliders, Grow alot faster then a Musk turtle.
 
Well what would be the dimensions on that 1k tank? If its not too high like 3-3.5' and its more wide or long, then you can still use a regular but LONGER siphon like 24 inches (and of course part of your arm will be in the water too) and suck out all the waste as you would do on a normal size tank.

BUT if its goin for more of a higher dimension tank where even a longer siphon won't reach then, i would say... before you add any gravel to the bottom of the tank, you should install a drain or two on the bottom of the tank.. and then buy a thick plexiglass (pretty much the same size to cover the whole bottom of the tank) carefully drill lots of tiny wholes into it. Then somehow suspend that plexiglass off the bottom of the tank so you leave a 1.5"-2" gap between that plexiglass piece and the actual bottom of your tank. (you can also use an eggcrate) Soooo... once its all put together, all the waste can drain past your gravel, then through those holes and then through the bottom drain, then through your filter. And it would be much easier and Faster doing water changes if you use one of those back washing bead filters that are used for koi ponds.

Well... hope you can understand what i'm trying to say.. :D LOL... it'd be much easier if i had some sort of picture or illustration of what im talking about.... Hope this helps! :)
 
ok thanks. I have a been busy with work and this weekend is packed, I will try to post some pics on Monday what I am thinking about doing. Thanks for the great idea I understand what you are saying.
 
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