Filtration Systems, Auto Drip Systems, and Plants...

[craigthor]

Here is my dilema. I'm looking for an easier way to change water on a regular basis. Now my tank has the following setup:

Tank: 150 Show 48x24x30
Fish: 50 Africans ranging from 2.5-5.5" Mostly Saulosi
Plants: 4 Bunches Java Fern, Big bunch Java Moss, 4 Jungle Vals, 1 Anubias, 2 Amazon Swords (Slightly eaten )
Filtration: Eheim 2262, Eheim 2078 Pro 3e, Eheim 2229 Wet/ Dry
Lighting: Coralife 130 watt total PCs

Now I change between 50-75% of the water weekly but after 7 days my Nitrates are always around 40. The plants have only been in the tank for about a week just added the Jungle Vals, Java Moss and 2 of the Java Ferns today. I tried to stick with plants that use low light as I don't wan to have to use alot of light in the tank it also gets some daylight during the day hours when the shades are open.

Here are the options I see:

1) Ditch the 2078 Pro 3e and 2229 Wet/ Dry and get a normal Wet/ Dry to replace them so I can setup an auto water change system. Anyone know what effect this would have on the plants?

2) Keep my current setup and add CO2 using one of the kits from Drs Foster and Smith and let the plants get established enough to take care of my extra Nitrates. Maybe add another set of Coralife lights to jump it some also.

3) Open to other ideas!

Either way it will cost me some money as I will have to upgrade some stuff.

Lets here what you think. I will post some pics of my current setup in a bit.

Craig

 

[rallysman]

keep your current filtration as it will be a bit nicer to the plants, and had a HOB overflow to take care of the excess from the drip system. You may want to put an aqualifter on the overflow to insure that no air gets into the system if you go this route.

 

[craigthor]

Here are a bunch of pics:


Craig

 

[craigthor]

keep your current filtration as it will be a bit nicer to the plants, and had a HOB overflow to take care of the excess from the drip system. You may want to put an aqualifter on the overflow to insure that no air gets into the system if you go this route.

Would the smallest CPR w/ aqua lifter work for such a low overflow amount? I've got extremely minimal experience with overflows. Also can you tell me if CO2 injection would be of any benefit for my plants?

Craig

 

[rallysman]

Would the smallest CPR w/ aqua lifter work for such a low overflow amount? I've got extremely minimal experience with overflows. Also can you tell me if CO2 injection would be of any benefit for my plants?

Craig

Yes, the overflow would work. I believe Repair has a few tanks set up like this.

As far as plants go, the only thing I know about them is that I can't keep them alive

 

[repair]

Yes, the overflow would work. I believe Repair has a few tanks set up like this.

As far as plants go, the only thing I know about them is that I can't keep them alive

I do and it works fine.

I can keep them alive untill the cichlids eat them....

 

[craigthor]

I do and it works fine.

I can keep them alive untill the cichlids eat them....

Thanks, I'm going to order one of the CPR 300gph overflows, Might grab me a CO2 Injector also.

Craig

 

[craigthor]

Think I have it all worked out now:

Water to tank will come from a tap in my basement->filterguys.biz micron filter->carbon filter->filterguys.biz 2 stage chloramine filter->filterguys.biz filter (notsure what I will use in this one)->1 gph drip emitter-> tank

From tank->CPR 300 gph overflow-> 1/2 tubing down to my basement drain

Thanks for the post that Neoprodigy started with his as I was able to find a chloramine filter. And much thanks to Repair for his ideas on setting up an overflow for my tank. I will be changing approx ~175 gallons per week on my 150 show tank. Thanks for help and pictures with due credit will be posted soon.

Craig