Halfing the aquarium...

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davo

Aimara
MFK Member
Jan 9, 2006
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England
or doubling it depending on which way you look at it.

right. first off, i am quite the artist as you can see.

the idea is to basically create to floors, to seperate fish, as apposed to putting in a divider vertically, but putting it horizontally. instead of having this in place for aggression, it is to divide too species, on hoping to breed.

the blue line is the outline of the tank. the red line, is the divider. the idea is to silicone a bit of something (perspex or whatever-ideas-just has to be aquarium proof) half way up the aquarium (the brown line) to create a small ledge. i was going to put it all the way around, but it may only need to be at the corners and maybe supports half way along the tank, but whatever. then i would rest ontop another piece of plastic, to be the platform (redline). at either side of the platform, there will be either holes or at least some space, for the water to pass between the 2 heights. the filter (the crudely drawn black thing) will be placed at the one end. it will be a more powerful filter that need be (for both circulation, amount of air it can put into the water, and the type of fish that will be in it. at the bottom of the filter is the intake (intaking water from the bottom level, and pushing it across the top level, and then down back into the bottom level. i will draw a pic of the platform, because that itsself will be important.

umm. so yea would this work ok. any questions on it as its hard for me to explain on here

00diag.JPG
 
ok another sh*t diagram. the top bit shows it from a side on angle. basically the bit that wont have holes to allow water exchange from the 2 halves (middle section) will have the bits on each end of the section raised. this is so if i choose to put a light substrate on i can, and if and when i fed blood worms, they wont all fall down the holes to the lower portion of the tank.

the 2 outside bit will have to have holes in. i was wondering. what would be better flow wise- lots of small holes, or less bigger holes. i suppose more bigger holes would be best! these 2 end sections will either be hinged (for general ease to get to the bottom half) or may just be removal if i cant find a way to hinge them. any ideas ?

00diagr.JPG
 
Why???
 
lol, mainly a more sufficient tank- space.

i want to try and breed two different types of plecs, and instead of 2 tanks it would be one. also for doing it horizontally, i am keeping the footprint and not the height, which is what i want
 
I don't see how having the dirtiest part of the tank inaccessible makes it more "sufficient" or efficient. How do you propose to maintain regular gravel washes/water changes?
 
the reason for each side of it the "grates" will a) allow the water to run through out the tank,and b) should come off, or latch open to allow access to gravel washed, and for feeding. the bottom level wont be completely baracaded off. the system is simply to seperate the 2 species.
 
But dont fish come up to the surface to gulp air? and arent the fish going to bump into the divider all day long trying to swim closer to the surface .I see what you are trying to accomplish by doubling the aquarium.But it just doesnt seem very practical.Good luck with it let us know how it turns out.
 
And once that hatch is opened for cleaning or feeding you're going to have a hell of a time keeping the fish from moving from one section to the other. Better to sacrifice footprint for ease/practicality of maintenance.
 
this was just a brainstorm. heres a diagram that might help oddball. they will be the smaller plecs, 4-5" max. probably both Hypancistrus sp.

00newdiag.JPG
 
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