Filter Design

[BenignVanilla]

This is probably a better question for alt.fishtanks, but I figure I know
you people better, and I live it here...

I am thinking of experimenting with a DIY filter for my 55gallon tank. I
figure working on small designs may yeild some fun project for the pond.
Anyway, does anyone care to discuss some designs?

My tank sits on a table of sorts and is 3 feet or so off the ground. There
is a staircase behind it so building a filter above it, and letting it
gravity feed back into the tank could be problematic. Letting the tank
gravity feed down to the filter and then pump back up to the tank would be
problematic (I think?) because then the tank can conceiveably drain.

So where do I go from here?

BV.
www.iheartmypond.com

[Bonnie]

BenignVanilla wrote:
> This is probably a better question for alt.fishtanks, but I figure I know
> you people better, and I live it here...
>

> My tank sits on a table of sorts and is 3 feet or so off the ground. There
> is a staircase behind it so building a filter above it, and letting it
> gravity feed back into the tank could be problematic. Letting the tank
> gravity feed down to the filter and then pump back up to the tank would be
> problematic (I think?) because then the tank can conceiveably drain.
>
> So where do I go from here?
>
> BV.
My indoor pond is 40 gallons. I use a slotted planting
basket set in a milkcrate. The pump in inside the milk
crate with a piece of pvc attached to the pump, it goes up
through the milk crate and then through a tower of lava
rock. The basket is filled with bioballs and surrounded
with blue furnace filter.
This is the second year I've used this setup and I'm happy
with the sound and the effectiveness. There are 2 large
fantails and 2 first year fantails in this pond. I do
weekly water changes. The only plant in the pond now is
a peace lily.
With you diy skills I'm sure you could dream up a nice
setup yourself.

--
Bonnie
NJ

[BenignVanilla]

"Bonnie" > wrote in message
...
> BenignVanilla wrote:
> > This is probably a better question for alt.fishtanks, but I figure I
know
> > you people better, and I live it here...
> >
>
> > My tank sits on a table of sorts and is 3 feet or so off the ground.
There
> > is a staircase behind it so building a filter above it, and letting it
> > gravity feed back into the tank could be problematic. Letting the tank
> > gravity feed down to the filter and then pump back up to the tank would
be
> > problematic (I think?) because then the tank can conceiveably drain.
> >
> > So where do I go from here?
> >
> > BV.
> My indoor pond is 40 gallons. I use a slotted planting
> basket set in a milkcrate. The pump in inside the milk
> crate with a piece of pvc attached to the pump, it goes up
> through the milk crate and then through a tower of lava
> rock. The basket is filled with bioballs and surrounded
> with blue furnace filter.
> This is the second year I've used this setup and I'm happy
> with the sound and the effectiveness. There are 2 large
> fantails and 2 first year fantails in this pond. I do
> weekly water changes. The only plant in the pond now is
> a peace lily.
> With you diy skills I'm sure you could dream up a nice
> setup yourself.

So is this sitting IN your pond?

BV.

[Bonnie]

BenignVanilla wrote:
> "Bonnie" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>>BenignVanilla wrote:
>>
>>>This is probably a better question for alt.fishtanks, but I figure I
>>
> know
>
>>>you people better, and I live it here...
>>>
>>
>>>My tank sits on a table of sorts and is 3 feet or so off the ground.
>>
> There
>
>>>is a staircase behind it so building a filter above it, and letting it
>>>gravity feed back into the tank could be problematic. Letting the tank
>>>gravity feed down to the filter and then pump back up to the tank would
>>
> be
>
>>>problematic (I think?) because then the tank can conceiveably drain.
>>>
>>>So where do I go from here?
>>>
>>>BV.
>>
>>My indoor pond is 40 gallons. I use a slotted planting
>>basket set in a milkcrate. The pump in inside the milk
>>crate with a piece of pvc attached to the pump, it goes up
>>through the milk crate and then through a tower of lava
>>rock. The basket is filled with bioballs and surrounded
>>with blue furnace filter.
>>This is the second year I've used this setup and I'm happy
>>with the sound and the effectiveness. There are 2 large
>>fantails and 2 first year fantails in this pond. I do
>>weekly water changes. The only plant in the pond now is
>>a peace lily.
>>With you diy skills I'm sure you could dream up a nice
>>setup yourself.
>
>
> So is this sitting IN your pond?
>
> BV.
>
>

Sorry, yes.

--
Bonnie
NJ

[Phyllis and Jim Hurley]

BV,

You may not need any external filter.About 1 1/2" of medium gravel, sub-sand
filter and good power heads will handle 2 12" oscars in a 70 gal tank. No
external filter needed for most 55 gal set ups. About every 6 mo to a year
you need to clean the sand. You can do it in the tank if you strip out
plants, etc, toss the gravel to lift the gunk, and use a small under water
pond pump pulling through a tupperware and filter sponge. I could send you
a pic of the tupperware setup. I have run my oscar tank for about eight
years now. Recently I added philadendron to pull out some nutrients and
decorate.

Jim

--
______________________________________________
See our pond at: home.bellsouth.net\p\pwp-jameshurley
Check out Jog-A-Thon fundraiser (clears $140+ per child) at: jogathon.net
______________________________________________
"BenignVanilla" > wrote in message
...
> This is probably a better question for alt.fishtanks, but I figure I know
> you people better, and I live it here...
>
> I am thinking of experimenting with a DIY filter for my 55gallon tank. I
> figure working on small designs may yeild some fun project for the pond.
> Anyway, does anyone care to discuss some designs?
>
> My tank sits on a table of sorts and is 3 feet or so off the ground. There
> is a staircase behind it so building a filter above it, and letting it
> gravity feed back into the tank could be problematic. Letting the tank
> gravity feed down to the filter and then pump back up to the tank would be
> problematic (I think?) because then the tank can conceiveably drain.
>
> So where do I go from here?
>
> BV.
> www.iheartmypond.com
>
>

[~ jan JJsPond.us]

Similar to Bonnie's design I use a bucket filter in my patio pond in the
living room. When it comes to my tanks though, I love Fuval filters,
pricey, but my oh my they work so very well and quiet. ~ jan

[Happy'Cam'per]

Hello tehre

You should go and check out Marc Levensons DIY for his ref setup.
(rec.aquaria.marine.reefs) there is some VERY useful information on his
website which may help you out with your plumbing issues, he's quite a
friendly chap and would probably help you out if you asked some questions!
HTH
--
**So long, and thanks for all the fish!**



"Hal" > wrote in message
...
> On Wed, 11 Feb 2004 08:42:04 -0500, "BenignVanilla"
> > wrote:
>
> >My tank sits on a table of sorts and is 3 feet or so off the ground.
There
> >is a staircase behind it so building a filter above it, and letting it
> >gravity feed back into the tank could be problematic. Letting the tank
> >gravity feed down to the filter and then pump back up to the tank would
be
> >problematic (I think?) because then the tank can conceiveably drain.
>
> One simple suggestion I might to keep from draining the tank, is a
> siphon break on a pumped line can be a simple hole in the line/tube.
> I pump from the pond filter up to a plant pond and to keep it from
> draining/siphoning back I drilled a small hole on an angle toward the
> flow just above the waterline at the outlet end and the flow draws air
> and adds bubbles in the flow of water. When the pump shuts down the
> air hole becomes a siphon break. I'm using 1 1/2" pipe in the pond, but
> the same idea should work on a smaller scale.
>
> Regards,
>
> Hal

[BenignVanilla]

"Bonnie" > wrote in message
...
<snip>
> > So is this sitting IN your pond?
> >
> > BV.
> >
> >
>
> Sorry, yes.
<snip>

Yeah, that won't work. I need to build something that the wife won't mind
having in the family room. LOL.

I am thinking if, I used a 6 gallon brew bucket with a sealed lid. One pipe
comes from tank into bucket. Another goes out of bucket into tank. A
submersible pump is inside the bucket with filter media on top. This way I
pump up to the tank, the water is gravity fed down to the bucket. I guess I
would need to prime this though, eh?

Theoretically, the sealed bucket would keep me from having a gravity mess.

BV.
www.iheartmypond.com

[BenignVanilla]

"Hal" > wrote in message
...
> On Wed, 11 Feb 2004 08:42:04 -0500, "BenignVanilla"
> > wrote:
>
> >My tank sits on a table of sorts and is 3 feet or so off the ground.
There
> >is a staircase behind it so building a filter above it, and letting it
> >gravity feed back into the tank could be problematic. Letting the tank
> >gravity feed down to the filter and then pump back up to the tank would
be
> >problematic (I think?) because then the tank can conceiveably drain.
>
> One simple suggestion I might to keep from draining the tank, is a
> siphon break on a pumped line can be a simple hole in the line/tube.
> I pump from the pond filter up to a plant pond and to keep it from
> draining/siphoning back I drilled a small hole on an angle toward the
> flow just above the waterline at the outlet end and the flow draws air
> and adds bubbles in the flow of water. When the pump shuts down the
> air hole becomes a siphon break. I'm using 1 1/2" pipe in the pond, but
> the same idea should work on a smaller scale.

It occurs to me now that my fear of a gravity mess is probably unfounded.
Since I do not plan to drill holes in my glass tank, I would have the feed
and return pipes going up over the top of the tank. I'd think in this
scenario, I'd have to have a siphon.

BV.
www.iheartmypond.com

[BenignVanilla]

"Happy'Cam'per" > wrote in message
...
>
> Hello tehre
>
> You should go and check out Marc Levensons DIY for his ref setup.
> (rec.aquaria.marine.reefs) there is some VERY useful information on his
> website which may help you out with your plumbing issues, he's quite a
> friendly chap and would probably help you out if you asked some questions!
<snip>

Does he have a URL?

BV.
www.iheartmypond.com

[BenignVanilla]

"Phyllis and Jim Hurley" > wrote in message
.. .
> BV,
>
> You may not need any external filter.About 1 1/2" of medium gravel,
sub-sand
> filter and good power heads will handle 2 12" oscars in a 70 gal tank. No
> external filter needed for most 55 gal set ups. About every 6 mo to a
year
> you need to clean the sand. You can do it in the tank if you strip out
> plants, etc, toss the gravel to lift the gunk, and use a small under water
> pond pump pulling through a tupperware and filter sponge. I could send
you
> a pic of the tupperware setup. I have run my oscar tank for about eight
> years now. Recently I added philadendron to pull out some nutrients and
> decorate.
<snip>

Jim...I already have a hang on filter on the back of the tank although I
don't think it does much. The filters take about 4 months to get dirty. I
have a nice layer of substrate, and some bottom feeders and some plants. All
parameters are perfect. I can't explain how, they just are.

Anyway, the idea of this external pump is really two fold. 1) I am a geek
with no free time, so of course I am looking to make life difficult by
adding another project that I don't need. 2) I am thinking some day of doing
a reef tank, and for me to afford it, I'll need to be crafty with some DIY
stuff, so I figured I would experiment now....see item 1).

BV.
www.iheartmypond.com

[Happy'Cam'per]

Benign

Hi. I will send it to you tomorrow. Yes you will have to create a siphon,
don't worry about gravity spills, the water will only siphon as deep as your
outlet tube allows, IOW if you only have the siphon going 5-10cm below the
water level then this is where the siphon breaks! Just make sure that your
bucket/tank can take the extra few gallons. I'll send you the link tomorrow,
its much easier to see when there's pics involved.

OK, here's the link to the overflow
http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/tank/overflow.html

and heres the link to his main page
http://www.melevsreef.com/
take a look at some of the sump designs to give you some more ideas. If I
can be of any further assistance just SHOUT :). Have a nice evening.
--
**So long, and thanks for all the fish!**



"BenignVanilla" > wrote in message
...
> "Happy'Cam'per" > wrote in message
> ...
> >
> > Hello tehre
> >
> > You should go and check out Marc Levensons DIY for his ref setup.
> > (rec.aquaria.marine.reefs) there is some VERY useful information on his
> > website which may help you out with your plumbing issues, he's quite a
> > friendly chap and would probably help you out if you asked some
questions!
> <snip>
>
> Does he have a URL?
>
> BV.
> www.iheartmypond.com
>
>

[Phyllis and Jim Hurley]

BV

Projects is a topic I recognize! So does Phyllis. Mine are about finding
which filter plants work best. Hers have to do with repainting the walls of
the hall or cleaning my mess in a back room. I have to swing my head around
to the project mode when I do hers. Mine are so much more fun for a
putterer...hers are appropriate and needed...but less fun for a putterer.
Enjoy your new filter...its sort of like my philadendron in the 70 gal Oscar
tank.

Jim

--
______________________________________________
See our pond at: home.bellsouth.net\p\pwp-jameshurley
Check out Jog-A-Thon fundraiser (clears $140+ per child) at: jogathon.net
______________________________________________
"BenignVanilla" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Phyllis and Jim Hurley" > wrote in message
> .. .
> > BV,
> >
> > You may not need any external filter.About 1 1/2" of medium gravel,
> sub-sand
> > filter and good power heads will handle 2 12" oscars in a 70 gal tank.
No
> > external filter needed for most 55 gal set ups. About every 6 mo to a
> year
> > you need to clean the sand. You can do it in the tank if you strip out
> > plants, etc, toss the gravel to lift the gunk, and use a small under
water
> > pond pump pulling through a tupperware and filter sponge. I could send
> you
> > a pic of the tupperware setup. I have run my oscar tank for about eight
> > years now. Recently I added philadendron to pull out some nutrients and
> > decorate.
> <snip>
>
> Jim...I already have a hang on filter on the back of the tank although I
> don't think it does much. The filters take about 4 months to get dirty. I
> have a nice layer of substrate, and some bottom feeders and some plants.
All
> parameters are perfect. I can't explain how, they just are.
>
> Anyway, the idea of this external pump is really two fold. 1) I am a geek
> with no free time, so of course I am looking to make life difficult by
> adding another project that I don't need. 2) I am thinking some day of
doing
> a reef tank, and for me to afford it, I'll need to be crafty with some DIY
> stuff, so I figured I would experiment now....see item 1).
>
> BV.
> www.iheartmypond.com
>
>

[BenignVanilla]

"Happy'Cam'per" > wrote in message
...
> Benign
>
> Hi. I will send it to you tomorrow. Yes you will have to create a siphon,
> don't worry about gravity spills, the water will only siphon as deep as
your
> outlet tube allows, IOW if you only have the siphon going 5-10cm below the
> water level then this is where the siphon breaks! Just make sure that your
> bucket/tank can take the extra few gallons. I'll send you the link
tomorrow,
> its much easier to see when there's pics involved.
>
> OK, here's the link to the overflow
> http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/tank/overflow.html
>
> and heres the link to his main page
> http://www.melevsreef.com/
> take a look at some of the sump designs to give you some more ideas. If I
> can be of any further assistance just SHOUT :). Have a nice evening.
<snip>

That never occured to me. If I keep the output of the tank near the top, I
can't drain it all out. Good thinking.

BV.
www.iheartmypond.com

[BenignVanilla]

"Phyllis and Jim Hurley" > wrote in message
.. .
> BV
>
> Projects is a topic I recognize! So does Phyllis. Mine are about finding
> which filter plants work best. Hers have to do with repainting the walls
of
> the hall or cleaning my mess in a back room. I have to swing my head
around
> to the project mode when I do hers. Mine are so much more fun for a
> putterer...hers are appropriate and needed...but less fun for a putterer.
> Enjoy your new filter...its sort of like my philadendron in the 70 gal
Oscar
> tank.
<snip>

Well I started a remodel of the kitchen, it's at 90%, I still have to do the
toe kicks, moldings, handles, etc. I gutted the Master Bath...no end in
sight for that one. I replumbed the entire house with copper. I tore out 2
walls and am building a plyroom downstairs. Sounds to me like a new filter
that I don't need, is a good project for now.

BV.
www.iheartmypond.com

[Ka30P]

>>moldings<<

Do you know you can live years
and years and years and years
without moldings?

kathy :-)
(who periodically dusts off the moldings
that are stored in the garage which are as
old as youngest son (age 14).

[Bonnie]

Ka30P wrote:
>>>moldings<<
>>
>
> Do you know you can live years
> and years and years and years
> without moldings?
>
> kathy :-)
> (who periodically dusts off the moldings
> that are stored in the garage which are as
> old as youngest son (age 14).

Boy, that's a fact. There is one strip of molding that
DH has in his shop that is 26 years old. It's for over
the front door, the rest of the room was done except for
one piece that must be fussy cut.

--
Bonnie
NJ

[Ka30P]

<<26 years old<<

lol!
And it probably isn't even world
record worthy... I bet some of those
pyramids weren't all the way finished.


kathy :-)
<A HREF="http://www.onceuponapond.com/">Once upon a pond</A>

[BenignVanilla]

"Ka30P" > wrote in message
...
> >>moldings<<
>
> Do you know you can live years
> and years and years and years
> without moldings?
>
> kathy :-)
> (who periodically dusts off the moldings
> that are stored in the garage which are as
> old as youngest son (age 14).

Could I pass this post on to my wife? She seems to disagree. LOL.

BV.

[Phyllis and Jim Hurley]

You know, I was thinking about how we want people on rec.ponds to stay on
topic and deal with ponds. Isn't it interesting how the community of
friends drifts from ponds to mouldings to pyramids to wives desires of
husbands. But then, pyramids are related to filter designs and we are not
trying to sell one another our new cone shaped mouldings.

Nice to have friends.

Jim

--
______________________________________________
See our pond at: home.bellsouth.net\p\pwp-jameshurley
Check out Jog-A-Thon fundraiser (clears $140+ per child) at: jogathon.net
______________________________________________
"BenignVanilla" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Ka30P" > wrote in message
> ...
> > >>moldings<<
> >
> > Do you know you can live years
> > and years and years and years
> > without moldings?
> >
> > kathy :-)
> > (who periodically dusts off the moldings
> > that are stored in the garage which are as
> > old as youngest son (age 14).
>
> Could I pass this post on to my wife? She seems to disagree. LOL.
>
> BV.
>
>

[BenignVanilla]

"Phyllis and Jim Hurley" > wrote in message
. ..
> You know, I was thinking about how we want people on rec.ponds to stay on
> topic and deal with ponds. Isn't it interesting how the community of
> friends drifts from ponds to mouldings to pyramids to wives desires of
> husbands. But then, pyramids are related to filter designs and we are not
> trying to sell one another our new cone shaped mouldings.
<snip>

We ARE on topic...see here...

Completed moldings make SO happy.
Happy SO let's me do other things which I enjoy and appear trivial.
My pond is one of those other things.

Therefore proper molding installation assists me in proper management of my
Pond.

Ah HA!!!

--
BV.
www.iheartmypond.com

[[email protected]]

yes I would be sooooo happy to get our moldings done, but that is my job, not my DH
... he may do housework, but I do the work on the house. His preference. His mother
taught all her children, 3 boys to do housework. <smile> Ingrid

"BenignVanilla" > wrote:

>"Phyllis and Jim Hurley" > wrote in message
. ..
>> You know, I was thinking about how we want people on rec.ponds to stay on
>> topic and deal with ponds. Isn't it interesting how the community of
>> friends drifts from ponds to mouldings to pyramids to wives desires of
>> husbands. But then, pyramids are related to filter designs and we are not
>> trying to sell one another our new cone shaped mouldings.
><snip>
>
>We ARE on topic...see here...
>
>Completed moldings make SO happy.
>Happy SO let's me do other things which I enjoy and appear trivial.
>My pond is one of those other things.
>
>Therefore proper molding installation assists me in proper management of my
>Pond.
>
>Ah HA!!!



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
List Manager: Puregold Goldfish List
http://puregold.aquaria.net/
www.drsolo.com
Solve the problem, dont waste energy finding who's to blame
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Unfortunately, I receive no money, gifts, discounts or other
compensation for all the damn work I do, nor for any of the
endorsements or recommendations I make.

[Lady Ponder]

sorry, just testing

Phyllis and Jim Hurley wrote:

> You know, I was thinking about how we want people on rec.ponds to stay on
> topic and deal with ponds. Isn't it interesting how the community of
> friends drifts from ponds to mouldings to pyramids to wives desires of
> husbands. But then, pyramids are related to filter designs and we are not
> trying to sell one another our new cone shaped mouldings.
>
> Nice to have friends.
>
> Jim
>

[Phyllis and Jim Hurley]

I agree entirely. And I have one piece of moulding that has waited 18 years
and counting!

Jim

--
______________________________________________
See our pond at: home.bellsouth.net\p\pwp-jameshurley
Check out Jog-A-Thon fundraiser (clears $140+ per child) at: jogathon.net
______________________________________________
"BenignVanilla" > wrote in message
...
> "Phyllis and Jim Hurley" > wrote in message
> . ..
> > You know, I was thinking about how we want people on rec.ponds to stay
on
> > topic and deal with ponds. Isn't it interesting how the community of
> > friends drifts from ponds to mouldings to pyramids to wives desires of
> > husbands. But then, pyramids are related to filter designs and we are
not
> > trying to sell one another our new cone shaped mouldings.
> <snip>
>
> We ARE on topic...see here...
>
> Completed moldings make SO happy.
> Happy SO let's me do other things which I enjoy and appear trivial.
> My pond is one of those other things.
>
> Therefore proper molding installation assists me in proper management of
my
> Pond.
>
> Ah HA!!!
>
> --
> BV.
> www.iheartmypond.com
>
>
>

[fuerjefe]

Phyllis and Jim Hurley wrote:
> You know, I was thinking about how we want people on rec.ponds to stay on
> topic and deal with ponds. Isn't it interesting how the community of
> friends drifts from ponds to mouldings to pyramids to wives desires of
> husbands. But then, pyramids are related to filter designs and we are not
> trying to sell one another our new cone shaped mouldings.
>
> Nice to have friends.
>
> Jim
>
well said
John

[fuerjefe]

BenignVanilla wrote:
> "Phyllis and Jim Hurley" > wrote in message
> . ...
>
> <snip>
>
> We ARE on topic...see here...
>
> Completed moldings make SO happy.
> Happy SO let's me do other things which I enjoy and appear trivial.
> My pond is one of those other things.
>
> Therefore proper molding installation assists me in proper management of my
> Pond.
>
> Ah HA!!!
>
> --
> BV.
> www.iheartmypond.com
>
>
>
dangit therde goess another keeeeyboarrdd

jjjohnnn rUtz

[~ jan JJsPond.us]

I can relate to that. K30, we ought to get our lonely moldings together and
see if they make little moldings. Maybe we ought to hold a molding party
for our DHs? Maybe we could start a business around this? ;o) ~ jan

>On 12 Feb 2004 18:16:35 GMT, (Ka30P) wrote:

>>>moldings<<
>
>Do you know you can live years
>and years and years and years
>without moldings?
>
>kathy :-)
>(who periodically dusts off the moldings
>that are stored in the garage which are as
>old as youngest son (age 14).

~ jan

[BenignVanilla]

"~ jan JJsPond.us" > wrote in message
...
> I can relate to that. K30, we ought to get our lonely moldings together
and
> see if they make little moldings. Maybe we ought to hold a molding party
> for our DHs? Maybe we could start a business around this? ;o) ~ jan
<snip>

Can my "not yet installed" wainscoting, toekicks, backsplashs and cabinet
handles come to the party?

BV.
www.iheartmypond.com

[~ jan JJsPond.us]

I was thinking more in terms of like a barn raising, get the DHs together
and work on her house and then on mine, so YOU, BV, can come to the party,
and haul our DH's down to your place next. ;o) ~ jan

>"~ jan JJsPond.us" > wrote in message
>>I can relate to that. K30, we ought to get our lonely moldings together
>>and see if they make little moldings. Maybe we ought to hold a molding party
>> for our DHs? Maybe we could start a business around this? ;o) ~ jan
><snip>
>
>Can my "not yet installed" wainscoting, toekicks, backsplashs and cabinet
>handles come to the party?
>
>BV.
>www.iheartmypond.com
>

~ jan