Riparium filtering ?'s

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wh0isthat

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Mar 16, 2008
35
1
8
Sault Ste Marie, Ont
I was just wondering what would be good filtration for a riparium? The tank size is an old 55 gal I have laying around. I know a cannister filter would be great but im poor.

Also would it be possible to put in overflow type glass boxes inside the tank to put HOB's. That way I could use HOB's inside the tank so they could reach the water and not cause too much water movement. The larger plants could somewhat hide the filters, but not a big deal if they are seen. I was thinking of putting a box on each corner in the back of the tank and using small HOB's.

Hopefully my explanation of my idea is easy to understand. I don't feel like drawing a picture.

Thanks ahead for quality input.
 
I imagine that would work. I just imagine that the box would be a little difficult to seal... But if you get it right, it could be a nice, clean, cheap route.
 
I'm thinking of setting up one myself and if I was going to do it ... I would drill 2 holes in the bottom somewhere close to the back wall on the opposite ends of the tank and hook up some fluval carnister or any other canister - it would be nearly invisible, wouldn't take much space and it would be quiet + you can put a sponge over the intake so that you would not have to clean the canister that often ... just my idea, that's the way I will do it one day ... after the spring break hopefully :P

good luck !
 
What are you planning on stocking in the riparium? If you have a reasonable amount of livestock the plants themselves will take care of the ammonia.
 
I'm not to sure what I was going to stock it with. I think mostly schools of small fish like small tetras or something, nothing that would grow over and inch or two. I mostly wanted it to be plants.
 
An internal filter would work.
 
I really think you will be just fine with no filter whatsoever. Plants are every bit as efficient as bacteria at removing nitrogenous waste, and are even superior in some respects- they don't leave nitrate behind, for one thing. Google "natural planted tank" or "Walstad tank" for more info on this method. If you are using mainly emergent plants it will be even easier to maintain than an ordinary NPT, as the plants can get all the CO2 they need directly from the atmosphere.

A small powerhead to prevent stagnant spots will be good. You can use a gravel vac to remove mulm from any open spaces.

I had a 65 gallon tank set up like this for a couple of years with emergent lizardtail, Sagittaria latifolia, and a native sword, as well as various undemanding submersed/floating plants like Riccia and various mosses. The plants thrived and so did the salamanders, killifish, dwarf crays, snails, and shrimp in the tank. The only problems I ever had were with green algae, which petered out once the plants were well-established. I had an air disc to keep the water moving a little.
 
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