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new 75 gallon with river tank manifold
Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 11:32 pm
by bookpage
I just got a new 75 gallon and wanted to use a river tank manifold. I am not keeping hillstream loaches, so not using really powerful pumps. I will have Serpenticobitis octozona, Schistura mahnerti and others like them in this tank.
Also, on the background, I am using window film. On my 125 gallon tank one side was facing a door way and every time someone came in the door it would frighten the fish. So I put window film on one end and it worked great. And, it was easy to put on. Been about a month and still looks very good. You can see into the tank a little when the fish tank lights are on but they can not see out at all. I used Privacy Black Gila Window Film. Costs less than $16.00. All different colors and types to try.
I have been using the Koralia for fast water movement, but do not like them for sand. I am going to be using Tahitian Moon black sand on top of Eco-complete. I like real plants in my tanks. So, I will be using two Maxi-Jet 1200s.
I will also have a Rena XP3 hooked up on this 75. Along with a Aqueon 55 and hang it off the back of the tank.
The river tank manifold is make of 3/4" PVC. I did not use any glue.
Here are some pictures.

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Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2010 11:01 pm
by bookpage
Here is a short video showing the current in the 75 with just the two Maxi Jet 1200s.
You can see the glass thermometer (upper left) going to the right and circling the tank.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VABBaQTWkFA
Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2010 1:12 am
by bookpage
Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2010 12:39 pm
by Sharkscott2
Bookpage,
What are those black intake tubes? Are they part of a sponge filter set up?
I love your tank btw, I'm very jelous of the rocks. I wish I could find stuff like that out here in my price range.
Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2010 1:33 pm
by Ravenmoon
Very pretty setup! Love the driftwood and rocks!
Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2010 2:43 pm
by bookpage
Sharkscott2 wrote:Bookpage,
What are those black intake tubes? Are they part of a sponge filter set up?
I love your tank btw, I'm very jelous of the rocks. I wish I could find stuff like that out here in my price range.
Not sure what 'black intake tubes' you are talking about, but in the below picture it shows how the river tank manifold is put together. The PCV was painted with Krylon Fusion spray paint.
The river rocks were purchased at a local garden nursery for .10 a pound. And, you get to pick the rocks you want.
Thank you for your comments.
Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2010 4:44 pm
by Sharkscott2
You have two black things sticking out of the PVC which your sponges are going over. I'm wondering what those are, are they part of a sponge filter set?
Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2010 5:21 pm
by NancyD
Pretty tank bookpage! I too like the long sweep of wood & the rocks.
Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2010 9:33 pm
by Jim Powers
Very nice looking setup!
What are you keeping in there?
Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2010 10:12 pm
by zenins
Sharkscott2 wrote:You have two black things sticking out of the PVC which your sponges are going over. I'm wondering what those are, are they part of a sponge filter set?
Those look like intake strainers for canister filters like Rena XP's or Fluvals. They are usually pointed down, rather than up as in this case
Putting a sponge over them as a pre filter works for this set up as well as for canister filters.
Slipping them off once a week and rinsing in a bucket of tank water works very well ...
Posted: Sat Jul 17, 2010 1:20 pm
by bookpage
Jim Powers wrote:What are you keeping in there?
I have 15 cherry barbs and I have read several places that good filtration and a strong current are recommended for them.
I have 16 dwarf Neon Rainbow (Melanotaenia praecox) they really like a strong current as they are river fish from New Guinea and Indonesia.
2 fire barbs (got to get a few more, but they are hard to find)
2 striped kuhli loacha (got to get a few more, but they are hard to find)
1 bristlenose pleco and 4 Otts
There are 5 Schistura mahnerti and I am going to order 5 more Serpenticobitis octozona
http://www.loaches.com/species-index/schistura-mahnerti
http://www.seriouslyfish.com/forums/ind ... topic=2418
Here is a video with fish:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duzkygjl ... r_embedded
Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 7:50 am
by Martin Thoene
Nice tidy build on that manifold! That pipe manufacturer must have accurately fitting pipe and fittings if you did not need to glue anything.
The tank looks wonderful.
Martin.
Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 2:10 am
by bookpage
Thank you, everyone, for your comments. It was fun to put together.
Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 1:08 pm
by chefkeith
Looks beautiful. Nice job.
Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2010 10:39 pm
by bookpage