From: mattk@cbnewsl.cb.att.com (matthew.kaufman)
Subject: Re: DIY wet/dry help needed
Organization: AT&T
Distribution: usa
Date: Tue, 1 Sep 1992 14:04:29 GMT
Followup-To: poster
Summary: Some comments

In article <1992Aug31.181002.10122@unislc.uucp> livings@unislc.uucp (Ross Livingston) writes:
>I'm going to set up a 55g [F] with Tangynikans.  I've mulled over the
>different filtration possibilities for several weeks now, and am really
>getting anxious.  I had origionally decided on a UGF either powered by,
>or in parallel with a canister filter.  I have since decided that this
>may not be the way to go since I may want to try some live plants.  Though
>I have heard from some that plants and UGF's don't have to be completely
>incompatible.

You're more likely to discover that Tanganyikans and plants are
incompatible - the larger tropheus types are all herbivores, as are frontosas.
Julis and (neo)lamprologines are omnivorous and plants have never survived
with those fish for me. Further, tanganyikans prefer (at least in my tanks)
rock hard water with some salt in it - only the toughest plants will
survive in that, and most don't thrive (probably due to the salt.)
>
>I had origionally completely ruled out wet/dry filter alternatives because
>of price.  I have since heard of making such a creature out of a 10g tank.
>I just inherited such a tank, and am now considering making a wet/dry out
>of it.  Now, in designing such a beast, it seems to me that since I'll
>position the 10g underneath the 55, I will have to deal with some serious
>skimming.'
>...

Can you put a shelf *above* the 55? One strong enough to hold, say, a
paint bucket (around 5 gallons) and a rubbermaid dishpan (about 3)?
Then, with a good sized power head and bulkhead connectors (try a boat
supply store), you can pump the water up to the dishpan, which, for instance,
can contain simply some floss-type material for prefilter and cut-up straws,
with an airstone in the bottom, and a drain to the bucket, which
can be filled with cut up straws and have a  bulkhead fitting drain back
to the tank. Voila, instant el-cheapo wet-dry filter that is wonderful
for reducing ammonia to nitrate. Cost? A good power head via mail order is
what, $20? The fittings and buckets and stuff, another $15? You may
wish a 'drip plate' on the top of the dishpan  - a piece of plexiglass
cut to size by your hardware store with a bunch of little tiny holes
works fine
>
>Now for some quesitons:
>
>1) Does anyone have any plans for making a good w/d from a 10g aquarium?
>   Would you mind sharing them?  I'll do whatever to get them, though
>   fax would be the most appealing.
Just did.
>
>2) Does anyone have a better idea for the supply to the w/d than siphon?
>   Is the 'over-flow hole' idea the best?  Is there another way to create
>   a siphon that will be will work, but not overflow the lower tank?
With the powerhead, no siphoning problems.
>
>3) Assuming I make a wet/dry out of the 10g, how do you suggest I run the
>   thing?  Should I use a canister filter to supply water to the w/d?
>   Can I use a canister filter to return the water to the tank, or will
>   this negate the effects of the w/d, by passing the water through certain
>   other biological or chemical mediums?
Use the glass tank to raise baby tanganyikans (aquascape your tank with
that in mind!)
>
>4) If the answer to part 3 about how to return the water to the tank is
>   'just use any kind of water pump that operates on a float,' To what
>   extent do I need to concern myself with the materials the pump is
>   constructed with?  I assume the output of the pump should at least
>   be potable.  If I can use a pump from a non-aquatic vendor, do you have
>   any suggestions on vendors, or types of vendors (eg, chemical suppliers,
>   air-conditioning/heating suppliers, etc)?
NA
>
>Thanks for your help.  I'm really looking forward to making a w/d and have
>already called several plastic dealers locally and gotten quotes on plexi-
>glass, acrylic, glue, etc.  One said he expected that if they cut the parts,
>and sold me them, the glue, and other misc. things I'd need, they expected
>it should cost me around $30US total.  Any comments here?  Thanks again.
My solution (currently a modified form is in use for a stand full of
killi tanks) doesn't cost nearly that much. 
-- 
"I am the chosen one."  | Copyright 1992 mattk@usl.com. Permission for
                        | reproduction in printed media or by pay-for-read
"And I Choose to be     | services explicitly disallowed. Permission granted to
shopping!"              | USENET and like free facilities.
Newsgroups: alt.aquaria,rec.aquaria,sci.aquaria