Halloween/Thanksgiving Hatch-a-Long 2019

[ShrekDawg]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluidized_bed

View attachment 1951984

Thanks! Very useful! Seems complicated though.

And I just posted some. They are much happier now. Were zipping all over lol

 

[CarpCharacin]

They do need a bigger tank ASAP! The nitrifying bacteria in filters die off if they are left not running, which can cause a spike in ammonia. I think I've talked about stunting before, when a fish is stunted their body stops growing, but their organs keep growing, so you can tell if they are stunted if their body has stopped growing, but their eyes and gill plates have continued to grow.

Thanks! Very useful! Seems complicated though.

My drawing was for a fluidized bed filter, if the water level in the barrel is kept constant, and you have an air pump which is powerful enough, the air coming out of the air stone will cause the kaldnes media to fluidize.

When I initially designed the filter for my pond, I was only 10 or so at the time, I made a few mistakes. I tried to have the water come out of the bottom of the barrel without any kind of overflow to control the water level, and I did end up adding an overflow in the side, but the pipe was too small, and the top of the overflow wasn't open, so it would cause the barrel to siphon and refill continuously. Also, I tried to use bio balls, but those didn't fluidize properly. So the next year, I switched the bio media to k3 kaldnes, re-did the overflow in 3 inch pipe and kept the top of the overflow open, added a UV clarifier, and a basket to catch debris before the pump, and now the filter works as intended.

 

[ShrekDawg]

They do need a bigger tank ASAP! The nitrifying bacteria in filters die off if they are left not running, which can cause a spike in ammonia. I think I've talked about stunting before, when a fish is stunted their body stops growing, but their organs keep growing, so you can tell if they are stunted if their body has stopped growing, but their eyes and gill plates have continued to grow.

My drawing was for a fluidized bed filter, if the water level in the barrel is kept constant, and you have an air pump which is powerful enough, the air coming out of the air stone will cause the kaldnes media to fluidize.

When I initially designed the filter for my pond, I was only 10 or so at the time, I made a few mistakes. I tried to have the water come out of the bottom of the barrel without any kind of overflow to control the water level, and I did end up adding an overflow in the side, but the pipe was too small, and the top of the overflow wasn't open, so it would cause the barrel to siphon and refill continuously. Also, I tried to use bio balls, but those didn't fluidize properly. So the next year, I switched the bio media to k3 kaldnes, re-did the overflow in 3 inch pipe and kept the top of the overflow open, added a UV clarifier, and a basket to catch debris before the pump, and now the filter works as intended.

Yeah I know. it’s just kinda been on the back burner with everything going on this summer/early fall, my brother just got married a month and a half ago so that was a big thing getting ready for that, I was in it, and I also was just planning to move them to the pond so didn’t really want to buy a tank only to never use it again but then I only recently learned you can’t move them in the fall so I’m stuck getting a bigger tank anyway but it’s good. Cause originally I thought I could wait a few months till spring. but I don’t think that’s a good strategy. They need it now. So I’ll see what TSC carries sometime this week when I get the chance.

And WAIT. Shit. The bacteria will die without the filter running!?

Idk what to do then cause it’s not working and I can’t fix it or go get another right now

I can try to tomorrow.

Although I washed a lot of the bacteria off in the cleaning anyway.

And thankfully so far they don’t appear to be stunted. They are still growing. I think I just lucked out I guess.

And I think it’s starting to make more sense now. Sort of haha

 

[CarpCharacin]

You could try to put the filter media in a container with dechlorinated water and an air stone.

 

[ShrekDawg]

You could try to put the filter media in a container with dechlorinated water and an air stone.

Tbh I didn’t think of that and I’m in bed now.

Wish I had thought to ask earlier.

I’ll just try to get a new filter tomorrow or try the air stone thing if I can’t.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Oh and I almost forgot. Here’s some video of them. @Texas Kiki @CarpCharacin

 

[BantyChooks]

I'm watching Spiderman by myself husband passed out on me and the dogs.

I'm more of a Thor, Guardians of the Galaxy, Avengers, and Ironman type of person. Think my husband got bored and passed out.

Huge Black Widow fan here. I like this newest incarnation of Spiderman, though.

 

[Kiki]

View attachment 1951979
View attachment 1951980

I peed in my pants.

 

[Kiki]

Nooo! I got the tank done! No need!

 

[Kiki]

Okay, sorry it took so long.

I really did drive straight home, put the groceries away, and get straight to it, and didn’t use my phone at all, but it just took longer than anticipated because I ended up scrubbing/rinsing the filter housing off too cause it was pretty gross and scrubbed the sides and top of the tank too. I told you, once I get into doing something I go crazy.

I probably should have at least added some water first cause that was the most important part.

But I did eventually add it at the end.

But I was working on the tank for like over an hour cause I was cleaning everything.

I could have just added water and changed the filter but I go overboard

Wore myself out running around the house too LOL up and down the stairs a ton for more paper towels and back and forth to the tub to refill the container I was using, etc.

But did get it done.

Finished about 9:30 or just after and now just finished watching an episode of a TV show I missed last week and going to bed haha

Anyway here’s some pictures. Sorry for going a bit off topic.

View attachment 1951991 View attachment 1951992 View attachment 1951993 View attachment 1951994 View attachment 1951995 View attachment 1951996

And some before. I know, I know.... please don’t kill me.

But it’s much better now and they’re getting a new tank probably Wednesday.

Spoiler: Before

View attachment 1951999 View attachment 1952000 View attachment 1952001 View attachment 1952002 View attachment 1952003

I’m gonna but the stock tank ASAP.

I do have one major problem though... I seem to have broken the filter or something when I was cleaning and rinsing!? It didn’t turn on when I plugged it back in!

Guess I will have to buy a new filter tomorrow, which seems rather pointless when I am switching tanks in literally two days and likely never using this one again.

Maybe I’ll just buy a bigger filter in case I ever get a bigger tank.

Don't let it get like the before pics again.

​