Hey thanks for the info. I should have mentioned that I was thinking of using the float switch in conjunction with electronic valves. I was thinking, while I plan this tank out would it be better for them if I moved them to my spare 55? I could easily make the ideal water chemistry for them. The only disadvantage is that the tank is not set up so it will cycle with them in it. Or would it be better to keep them where they are at while I plan the tank?Martin Thoene wrote:The only way I can see your idea working based on the drawing is if you have electric solenoid valves in both feed and return pipes that bias to shut in the event of a power failure. Problem there is if the intake solenoid fails the return will dump all the sump back to the tank and cause an overflow.A float switch is used to control power on or off based on water level, but it doesn't stop actual water flow by syphon action.
Intakes for sump systems usually work on a bottom drill of the tank with a stand-pipe coming up to near the surface. Either that or a weir draining into a box with a bottom drilled hole.The actual intake is at the top of the standpipe and this determines water-level. Return comes in high too and once power is cut only minimal water can drain from the tank into the sump.
http://www.dursostandpipes.com/
You can run a spraybar return at low level in the tank, but it must either come over the top or through the end high-mounted and feature a syphon break hole just below the set water level. Drain back to the sump will stop once the hole is exposed and air enters.
Martin.
New to the world of loaches
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Yup sounds like me as far as getting the loaches. Except my advice came from some experienced Cichlid guys, so I took their word for it and didn’t do the research. Yea drilling tanks once you have done it is not a scary thing. Actually it allows for some nice custom filtration options. Most all of my tanks are acrylic. The only thing you have to be careful with is if you have glass tanks and make sure not to drill it if it made from tempered glass. Another area I am going to try later is making my own tank that would allow for a lot specialized options.MTS wrote:Can't help any with the sump system. We use Eheim canisters and bio-wheel HOBs on our larger tanks. Something about drilling holes in an aquarium disturbs me. Clowns like current but I'm not sure the river tank manifold design is really as important for them as for the hillstream loaches. Martin can answer this.
I am a recent member of this forum-- like you, we started with a single clown loach because the clerk at Petsmart suggested getting one for snail control. We fell in love with the clown loach personality and antics. Now we have six in a 55 that are about to move to a larger tank.
Loaches don't do to well with plants and most of the snails come in with plants we've purchased for other tanks. Now we find ourselves picking out snails from other tanks to give the loaches as treats.
What’s your timing? If it were going to be a while for the new tank, I'd put them in the 55. You will need to re-acclimate them to softer, lower pH water so make the conditions in the 55 about halfway between what they are in now and what your new set-up will have and make the transfer gradual. Then with each water change, gradually bring down pH and hardness until you have them at perfect conditions. The 55 would increase their comfort and allow you to make a more gradual water change for them. Then, when you set up the new tank, you can start it with perfect water chemistry.
As far as cycling, do you have used filter media that you can transfer to the new tank's filter? You can also siphon some of the water from your cichlid tank since your loaches are used to it.
As far as cycling, do you have used filter media that you can transfer to the new tank's filter? You can also siphon some of the water from your cichlid tank since your loaches are used to it.
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helen nightingale
- Posts: 4717
- Joined: Mon Mar 27, 2006 7:23 am
- Location: London, UK
Congrats Adder. you have a beautiful cichlid tank, and i hope you will enjoy your new loach tank as much. its a common mitake to make, and im glad you did the responsible thing. may your loach addiction begin.....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anwy2MPT ... 1&index=11 spam spam spam
Just in time as I might be getting transferred to another state....lol...Oh well when Im out looking for a new house I am going to try to find one so I can finally set up my big tankhelen nightingale wrote:
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