filter and substrate and combinations

[Aquarijen]

Hi All,

I have a mishmash of different aquariums and peices and parts that were
given to me for free.

That said, I'd like to not spend much money on setting them up.

I am setting up the 30 gallon one now. I have UG plates and risers, a
regular submersable powerhead (made in Italy, but no idea what brand -
strange shape, don't think it is reversable). I have blue shiny round
gravel (looks painted to me) with blue glass marbles mixed in. I have many
pounds of clean sand. I have rocks. I have a weird looking power filter
that I'm pretty sure they don't make inserts for anymore, but it looks like
I could make them myself. I have two tetratec deep air pumps and a gang
valve and plenty of line.

What can I do with this combination? I left out of the list the stuff that
would be too small for a 30 gallon. This is all sized to fit. I am not
afraid of DIY and something that maybe involves pvc... I have used UGFs in
the past and like them, but I don't really like the blue gravel. Then
again, I could make this tank my "Disco Tank" and make a small disco ball to
suspend out of tiny mirrors and a styrofoam ball.... LOL. There were
several florescent plants included with this setup and also a blacklight was
in the hood. :-O

Thanks for cheap suggestions.
:)
Jen

[Mr Happy]

Something In PVC....let me think for a while and get back to you -
it isn't my usual thing but anything to help

What are you trying to put in this tank? Fish, plants...what sort?
How many? Blue gravel, flourescent plants, U/V light - has some
poor fish lived in this??

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[NetMax]

"Aquarijen" > wrote in message
...
> Hi All,
>
> I have a mishmash of different aquariums and peices and parts that were
> given to me for free.
>
> That said, I'd like to not spend much money on setting them up.

ok, so the objective is to not spend money, so the advice will not
neccesarily give you the best value.

> I am setting up the 30 gallon one now. I have UG plates and risers, a
> regular submersable powerhead (made in Italy, but no idea what brand -
> strange shape, don't think it is reversable).

Install the UGF plates, connect them together, plug all holes except one
and install the riser and powerhead. Take note of the powerhead's gph
rating for future reference. You want around 150gph, but even 90gph is
workable.

> I have blue shiny round
> gravel (looks painted to me) with blue glass marbles mixed in.

With almost any type of a screen (window screens to spagetti strainers,
seperate the sand from the gravel/marbles. Note that sand is cheap, but
I'm sticking to your $ objective ;~). With the gravel/marble mix, you
can now easily seperate the marbles. Only the gravel will properly work
with your UGF, so you decide what you want to use.

> I have many
> pounds of clean sand. I have rocks.

Rocks are good. You can test them for toxicity easily. Some rocks
harden water which may or may not be desirable. Check my site for more
details.

> I have a weird looking power filter
> that I'm pretty sure they don't make inserts for anymore, but it looks
like
> I could make them myself.

Go for it. Remember to use non-toxic materials and adhesives in your
construction. Going to fish-society auctions is a good place to find
antiquated filters and components. These people know the value of this
stuff (nothing - except emotional value ;~) so they will part with it for
cheap.

> I have two tetratec deep air pumps and a gang
> valve and plenty of line.

Opinions vary. I would put them in a box and bury the box in a storage
room or closet. Others might connect them to run a plastic skull or
treasure chest. If the noise/vibration was acceptable, you *could* power
an internal filter. Don't put them to work on any critical system
(filters) unless you are sure they work, work well and are acceptable to
you.

> What can I do with this combination? I left out of the list the stuff
that
> would be too small for a 30 gallon.

Enough small stuff adds up to operate bigger tanks. Your discretion on
whether it provides value or risk has to be done on a case by case
analysis.

> This is all sized to fit. I am not
> afraid of DIY and something that maybe involves pvc... I have used
UGFs in
> the past and like them, but I don't really like the blue gravel. Then
> again, I could make this tank my "Disco Tank" and make a small disco
ball to
> suspend out of tiny mirrors and a styrofoam ball.... LOL.

I can't help you there. I think they use silver nitrate (or something
like that) to make mirrors, so I have some trepidation about using glass
mirrors underwater (in case your were serious about a Disco tank ;~).

> There were
> several florescent plants included with this setup and also a
blacklight was
> in the hood. :-O
>
> Thanks for cheap suggestions.
> :)
> Jen

Have fun, and try to keep to fish-friendly designs.
--
www.NetMax.tk