Recent content by madmark285

For us Americans, thats 114F which for us is unbearable hot. For you and your fish, get a window AC unit. Just keeping one room at 26°C (80°F) may be the best option. Managed properly, you can keep your electric cost low. Long term, I would start looking for fish that like warm water. Highly...

So how about Pathos? For a refugium specifically designed to grow pothos emersed, I can make the refugium 20" long, ~1.5" wide with a water depth of 4". The refugium will be attached to the back wall of the sump (29 gallon aquarium). This will only use ~.6 gallon of space in the sump. That's...

So in my latest sump, I want to add a refugium for growing Java/Christmas moss emersed. The primary goal is filtration ie: remove nitrates. The refugium is basically a tray which will be attached to the last baffle wall in the sump. The tray will be ~2" tall, 4" wide and 20" long. Below is a...

In that case, I would get a canister filter such as a Fluval FX6. You will only see the two hoses running up the tank. Do you really want to look at a huge HOB filter on the side? To get good circulation, put the input/output hose on opposite ends of the tank.

One issue to consider is the type of filter. Flowing water will take the path of least resistance. A well designed canister filter will use pressure to force the water thru the media and there is no other path available for the water. Poret foam or sponges is a great choice for canister filters...

How does it make water changes easier? Are you connecting a hose to the discharge line on the filter?

That is clever! My opinion and goals for filtration system, separate mechanical and bio filtration. With your marine tank, you are well aware of the amount of organic material being produced in the tanks. An easy way to get this stuff out of the tank before it starts to breaking down into...

Someone suggested to me for my Mbuna tank I working on, a tunnel (open on both ends) would be used to get away from another fish chasing it. A cave would be preferred when breeding as an example, they will defend it. Not sure if his theories right, tank not set up. Numerous people have told...

If it is a new tank, the organic matter has not broken down into ammonia thus all the bacteria is being starved. How long does the natural process take? With ammonia in a bottle, you can control the amount of ammonia you are dumping in the tank. So why not feed the bacteria right away with at...

I think that's a bad idea. Adding fish straight away is just marketing crap for newbies.

One more idea I had. If I build a paludarium, I want to create a cascading river look, inspiration shown below: Using PVC, build a water distribution box placed high in the paludarium. Connect the main water pump to the box. Using PVC fittings, build little control valves and glue them into...