Update - Matten Filters and Stock List

[JasonsPlecosCichlids]

Just got done with my last tank, the 265. All my tanks, two 265s and two 220's are now 100% sponge filtration using corner matten filter style that mimic corner overflows so it doesn't look ugly with those normal sponges and doesn't take away from the scape of the tank or fish and hides everything I need behind them.

Items are:

8x Matten Filters from Swiss Tropicals $425
8x Jet Lifters from Swiss Tropicals $128
8x Glass Rods from Jacks Glass $320
1x 1744 GPH Air Pump $70
1x 925 GPH Air Pump $41
8x LED Lights 16.4 foot strip $176
8x LED Power Strips $64
1x 500 Foot Tubing $37
1x 55 Watt UV Sterilizer
1x Jebo Canister hooked up to the UV

Project:
Convert all tanks to corner type matten filters to simulate corner overflows.
Behind each matten filters is a 500 watt heater on a controller.
On the bottom behind the matter filters are one air stone on each side which on top are bags of seeded media on both sides. None of the tanks will cycle during this process.
Sold all my Marineland LED's in place of a DIY lighting system. Each strip is 16.4 feet, used plastic gutters and PVC, painted it hammered black, 2 per tank.
All tanks were painted black on the black and repainted the stands black.
I'm waiting on the rest of the LED's to arrive, then this project will be 99% completed.
Last thing I need to look in, if possible is a quieter air pump. Any recommendations that can three tanks with the pump on the bottom, have to pump air approx 4 foot up and then 30" down into the aquarium?


First 220 Stock List:
8x Paratilapia with one breeding pair
2x Paretroplus Nourissati breeding pair
1x Paratroplus Maculatus Adult
7x Paratroplus Menarambo Juvies
3x Paratroplus Dambabe (SOLD)

Second 220 Stock List:
2x Bocourti
1x Argentea
1x Pearsi
1x Fenestratus
2x Festae breeding pair
2x Salvini
1x Zonatus
1x True Parrot
1x Sleeper Goby
3x Either RTM, Freddy or Losielle
1x Striped Raphael
1x Irwini
1x Pellegrini Pleco

First 265 Stock List:
1x Cinta Pike
1x Albino Arowana (will be here next weekend)
Will move the Bocourti, Pearsi and Argentea to this 265 from the 220
Looking for a Scarlet or Luteus or Blue Eyed, Fire Eel and possibly a Tig for this tank.

Second 265 Stock List:
6x Chocolate Cichlids
2x Tiger Loaches
3x Botias
4x Geo Altifrons or Wins?
3x Bolivian Rams
1x Leopard Pleco
1x L185 Pleco
5x Severums of different types
6x Uaru
2x Sleeper Goby
4x Nics
1x Raphael
2x YoYo Loaches

75 Gallon - Not yet stocked but the GF wants discus so here shortly I will convert that to corner mattens and the add several discus with some possible Zebra Plecos.

 

[kendragon]

Wow! Incredible! That's is a great contribution to the hobby. Thanks for sharing.

 

[jaws7777]

Anazing, fish look like they are floating on air

 

[convict360]

Definitely an option I want to take further down the line, glad to see someone doing it large scale.

 

[deeda]

Jason, nice job on the parts list and the installation of the HMF's!!!

I suggest calling John at Jehmco and explain your needs, especially with 30"H tanks, he should give you great advice. I bought my air pump from them for my fish room.

I will also suggest that the air pump should be mounted above the tanks if possible or at the very least should have a check valve in place to avoid siphoning the water out during an inevitable power outage.

 

[JasonsPlecosCichlids]

Jason, nice job on the parts list and the installation of the HMF's!!!

I suggest calling John at Jehmco and explain your needs, especially with 30"H tanks, he should give you great advice. I bought my air pump from them for my fish room.

I will also suggest that the air pump should be mounted above the tanks if possible or at the very least should have a check valve in place to avoid siphoning the water out during an inevitable power outage.

I forgot to mention that on every air line I have two check valves, one at the top and one at the bottom, so 24 check valves on 12 air line. I wouldn't be able to mount the pump anywhere but under the stand. I was looking at Jehmco and Hakko, trying to find the quietest one.

I just cleaned up the basement so took some new photos. Need to finish the stand, get the QT tank running and get the lights installed as soon as they arrive.

Each tank also has it own dual circuits so I will never overload a circuit and knock out all my tanks. Had them install the circuits while we finished the basement. The fuse panel is now maxed out.

I hope to see more folks do this as well

 

[xraycer]

That looks great, like an art exhibit!
Well done!

 

[JasonsPlecosCichlids]

Been almost a year and all tanks are still running with sponge filters. I have since lowered the stock to what I REALLY want and I have only cleaned one sponge, due to the fact that's where most of my plecos are, that tank is usually the dirtiest. I do weekly Sunday water changes of about 50% each.

 

[Jsteckman]

That's just plain awesome, I'm getting ready to set up my 125 and think I want to do corner mattens

 

[JasonsPlecosCichlids]

It sure is, cleaning the one sponge that I did was easy, just slid it out of the braces and washed it under the sink. Was supposed to do the other side the following week but forgot, it really didn't need it but just wanted to see if it would be difficult, but it wasn't.