Backyard Aquaponics
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Maintenance - Removing solids from fish tanks
http://byap.backyardmagazines.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=4024		 Page 1 of 3
Author:  scottt [ Aug 26th, '08, 19:07 ]
Post subject:  Maintenance - Removing solids from fish tanks
My system has a couple "dead spots" where solids accumulate on the bottom of the fish tanks.
I've tried a conventional aquarium syphon to remove it, but this just freaks out the fish and they stir up the muck.

The photo's below show my solution. (self explanatory - I think?)

Pros
- It works great :)
- Quick and easy, don't even have to get the hands wet
- Once in position, it dos not stress the fish too much.
- Can be left to do it's thing while I have a beer

Cons
- need to cut, then replace / clean the filter do-nuts.

I'm using disposable white "Dacron" filter material from the aquarium shop, but they charge a fortune for it.
I also use green filter foam, very expensive and hard to clean.

So, my questions for discussion are
1) Is there a cheap disposable alternative to the above filter material ?
- I'm thinking something along the lines of pillow stuffing, HVAC filter material, etc..,
- (However I'm concerned that these may contain "antibacterial agents")
- or maybe sand, fine gravel, co-co peat......

2) Any other maintenance (as opposed to system design) idea's for removing solids from fish tanks?

Attachments:
File comment: Solids sucker in situ
solids sucker1.JPG
solids sucker1.JPG [ 41.67 KiB | Viewed 3611 times ]
File comment: sucker laying on ground showing filter do-nuts
solids sucker2.JPG
solids sucker2.JPG [ 39.22 KiB | Viewed 3618 times ]
File comment: looking down the sucker - in operation - lid off
solids sucker3.JPG
solids sucker3.JPG [ 51.72 KiB | Viewed 3613 times ]
Author:  RupertofOZ [ Aug 26th, '08, 19:12 ]
Post subject:  Re: Maintenance - Removing solids from fish tanks
Mate... you're not a door-to-door vacumn cleaner salesman are you.....luv it...
Author:  Dufflight [ Aug 26th, '08, 19:15 ]
Post subject:  Re: Maintenance - Removing solids from fish tanks
It's a .... a ... vacuum cleaner. You had me at beer but lost me at vacuuming. And just a side note. Why googling my spelling I noticed there are 88,100,000 hits for vacuum. Now that can't be right.

But it is a good idea. have you thought of just using the same setup but have it pumped into your GB's. They could filter out the gunk and you wouldn't have to empty the bag. :D

PS RupertofOZ still beat me to the punch line.
Author:  scottt [ Aug 26th, '08, 19:37 ]
Post subject:  Re: Maintenance - Removing solids from fish tanks
Yep, tried pumping to the grow beds, but it gets messy with long hoses.
Guess I'm just lazy.
Should be quick and simple - Just like the vacuum cleaner ads !
Just suck it up and put it in the bin.
(Keeping in mind this for occasional maintenance only)
Author:  Outbackozzie [ Aug 26th, '08, 19:46 ]
Post subject:  Re: Maintenance - Removing solids from fish tanks
What about using a bit bigger main system pump, and directing some of the excess flow into the bottom of the fish tanks, continually stirring the water and removing solids to growbeds?

Find some car washing sponge to use as a filter replacement.

or Subwoofer box sound deadening - sorta like pillow stuffing.
Author:  earthbound [ Aug 26th, '08, 20:09 ]
Post subject:  Re: Maintenance - Removing solids from fish tanks
Nice one Scottt....

You could try standard scourer pads you buy at the supermarket, dirt cheap..
Author:  Tony From West Oz [ Aug 26th, '08, 22:00 ]
Post subject:  Re: Maintenance - Removing solids from fish tanks
I have a large fish tank (5KL) and do not have any bottom feeders in there , only Rainbow Trout. Sometimes the fish are overfed and the pellets eventually end up on the bottom of the FT.
I am trying to operate the BYAP on a tight power budget, so I am reluctant to use extra power, swirling the water around the FT. If that is the only way, I suppose I will need to review my BYAP power budget. I am flooding:draining on a 15:45 ratio using a scavenged kiddy-pool filter pump drawing 100W. The sump pump, which returns water to the FT is a 750W float operated sump pump, which operates for around 5 min per hour.
In the past I have added some pool suction hose and some PVC pipe, in place of the suction line on the bottom of the FT, to allow me to vacuum the bottom, but this is labour intensive, is hard to see what I am doing & does not do a good job.

What are the options to manage the sludge on the bottom of the FT?
Bottom feeders? - compatible with Rainbows!
?
?
?

Regards,
Tony
Author:  EllKayBee [ Aug 27th, '08, 07:22 ]
Post subject:  Re: Maintenance - Removing solids from fish tanks
Tony, I get the impression that Scott only uses it about once a week for the time it takes him to down a beer and not something that is on continually - so power usage for such a small pump would be miniscule (that's if I am correct :oops: )
Author:  EllKayBee [ Aug 27th, '08, 07:24 ]
Post subject:  Re: Maintenance - Removing solids from fish tanks
then again if I had read Tony's post thoroughly my answer may have been different (obvious case of steve's disease)
Author:  scottt [ Aug 27th, '08, 07:56 ]
Post subject:  Re: Maintenance - Removing solids from fish tanks
Yep, the idea with my sucker is just drop it in one a month.
Leave it be for an an hour, maybe move it around a bit.
Just a small 25W cheapo pump.

It is a maintenance solution, not a system design idea.
Author:  Sleepe [ Aug 27th, '08, 08:01 ]
Post subject:  Re: Maintenance - Removing solids from fish tanks
Scott
Womens tights or nylons filter pretty well. Alternatively, dispense with the cannister put in a tee piece short pipe a bend back down. Cut a groove round the pipe with an angle grinder and put a sock on it held by an elastic band.
Author:  Outbackozzie [ Aug 27th, '08, 12:43 ]
Post subject:  Re: Maintenance - Removing solids from fish tanks
You could save a hell of a lot of power by getting a more efficient pump Tony - I have one of them kiddy pool pumps, and it moves about 1/2 of what my 65 watt pumps does.
Author:  himzol [ Aug 27th, '08, 14:01 ]
Post subject:  Re: Maintenance - Removing solids from fish tanks
Hi Scott,

Back in another life I used to have and breed aquarium fish, The stuff I used then (and still do) is the "dacron" type material you get from material shops. I have never had any issues with it. It comes by the meter on rolls.

Himzo.

BTW great idea, consider it copied.
Author:  scottt [ Aug 27th, '08, 17:55 ]
Post subject:  Re: Maintenance - Removing solids from fish tanks
:D

Attachments:
File comment: But Wait, There's More !!
But Wait, There's More !!..jpg
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Author:  gemmell [ Aug 28th, '08, 13:36 ]
Post subject:  Re: Maintenance - Removing solids from fish tanks
Hehe, I love the entrepreneurial spirit in these forums
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