protein filter for fresh water (piranhas)

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
My nitrates test in the 0-2 ppm range. I don't chalk it all up to the skimmer though, I also use planted sumps
nocentanniday0092.jpg

that I believe use nitrate too. But I believe the skimmer takes out a lot before it has a chance to break down into nitrate. My only other filtration (other than the skimmer and planted sumps) are filter bags for the mechanical end.
image001-193.jpg

nocentanniday0232.jpg
 
I cant believe what I am seeing. I have a nice old skimmer from my SW setups.... That is awesome. Can you link us to the build on your skimmer duanes?
 
That is what I had in mine too!! Have a sump with plants or have some plants inside the main tank and also have a protein skimmer working. I agree Duanes, the skimmer probably does 75% of the work and the plants tank care of the rest.
 
tcarswell;2858913; said:
I cant believe what I am seeing. I have a nice old skimmer from my SW setups.... That is awesome. Can you link us to the build on your skimmer duanes?

That is what I said too, finally my idea of using a skimmer for a FW setup has some validation, did you all see all the gunk that Duanes is pulling out of his tank?? I am gonna try to set mine up soon, but I need a return pump.
 
water is pumped thru a venturi valve (the thing with the vertical tube)
image001-5.jpg

image001-1.jpg

It is mixed in the colummn (about 2 ft tall).
image001-3.jpg

Fractionated water moves down, and bubbles that are the interphase where DOC (proteins etc) collect and are pushed up
fraccold020.jpg

The "mostly" clean water effluent travels down the column and back up into the tank,
Breiagain016.jpg

I believe the plans are still available on the AFM site, Mr Meyers article is much clearer and more eloquent than I could ever be. It's worth the trouble to find.
 
Curious if salinity plays a part in this?

Duanes can you elaborate on the salt content of the cichlid tank? I'm no cichlid guy, but am under the impression that most cichlids require some salt.....
 
I can only keep floating plants in the adult cichlid tanks because they are either eaten or uprooted.
after150change003.jpg

The sumps are also great places to raise fry, and they eat any food the float over the overflows.
May19013.jpg

Wish I could be more help on the link, I've misplaced the old mag copy.
Sunmen020-1.jpg
 
MonsterFishKeepers.com