Retirement and forum shutdown (17 Jan 2022)
Hi,
John Howell who has managed the forum for years is getting on and wishes to retire from the role of managing it.
Over the years, he has managed the forum through good days and bad days and he has always been fair.
He has managed to bring his passion for fish keeping to the forum and keep it going for so long.
I wish to thank John for his hard work in keeping the forum going.
With John wishing to "retire" from the role of managing the forum and the forum receiving very little traffic, I think we must agree that forum has come to a natural conclusion and it's time to put it to rest.
I am proposing that the forum be made read-only from March 2022 onwards and that no new users or content be created. The website is still registered for several more years, so the content will still be accessible but no new topics or replies will be allowed.
If there is interest from the ITFS or other fish keeping clubs, we may redirect traffic to them or to a Facebook group but will not actively manage it.
I'd like to thank everyone over the years who helped with forum, posted a reply, started a new topic, ask a question and helped a newbie in fish keeping. And thank you to the sponsors who helped us along the away. Hopefully it made the hobby stronger.
I'd especially like to thank John Howell and Valerie Rousseau for all of their contributions, without them the forum would have never been has successful.
Thank you
Darragh Sherwin
Sumps in Freshwater Aquariums
- roealdo (j)
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Is there any benefits to using a sump over a traditional filter?
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- joey (joe watson)
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i guess this is stemming from a few recent sump posts?

the advantage is you get more filter media and extra water volume for the same tank size. the downside (well there are no REAL downsides) is that it takes up more space, usually in the cabinet
for small tanks, hang on back filters are the next best thing
Location: Portlaoise, Midlands
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- roealdo (j)
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- joey (joe watson)
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so handy having filtration out of the tank it adds water volume and saves more space up top by not having a big internal (much like why externals are so popular as an alternative)
Location: Portlaoise, Midlands
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- andrewo (andrew)
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- Sean (Fr. Jack)
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www.irishfishkeepers.com/cms/component/o...it,10/limitstart,10/
That would be a ecumenical matter!!!
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- roealdo (j)
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Its been set up by the supplier (all pluming is included) but I was just wondering is there anything extra I should be looking for? The only thing I can think of after my research is to make sure the out take is drilled to stop a flood of the power goes. Anything else?
I will be using the media from my 2217 so hopefully tank should be well cycled to accept fish straight away . Will also have some old tank water available.
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- davcummo (david cummins)
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you dont want and water back syphoning down pump pipes and such.
i have a 180l sump on my tank,and i have no complaints with it
i ripped up an old cushion or two and filled the fisrt chamber
with it takes out all the crap and keeps the other sponges and
other items clean from shite.
because my flow and return are high up the tank(so if the power goes the sump can handle the volume that flows back down) i have a power head down in the opposite corner to keep water movement.
dont be afraid to add extra filter media
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- joey (joe watson)
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have a heater in the last chamber with the pump, run your media from coarse to fine but dont bury your foam under ceramic. fill a chamber or 2 with ceramic and bio balls you cant go wrong, use the foam and floss just to polish
Location: Portlaoise, Midlands
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- roealdo (j)
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I've ordered plent if filter media and have loads if primed media so should be fine in that regard
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- joey (joe watson)
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post up pics of each step you are doing from the time you open the box till its fully stocked!
Location: Portlaoise, Midlands
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- Frontosa (Tim kruger)
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Midlands - in the heart of Ireland.
Keeping and breeding : Frontosa Blue Zaires , Synodontis Petricola , Tropheus Red Rainbow (Kasanga) , Tropheus Moliro . Regulary fry for sale.
Community tank with P.Kribensis and different livebearers.
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- roealdo (j)
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Any one got any picks of their sumps? Looking forward to getting it set up. Weather permitting should be all good this weekend
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- mickdeja (Mick Whelan)
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are you saying putting foam inside the the glass? Or just surround the tank?
Any one got any picks of their sumps? Looking forward to getting it set up. Weather permitting should be all good this weekend
Here is my sump, two pics one with media and one with it insulated, also pics of insulation on the side of the tank as well.
www.irishfishkeepers.com/cms/component/o...it,10/limitstart,20/
Follow me up to Carlow
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- roealdo (j)
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From what I have been told my tank comes with its sump "built in" so not 100% sure what that means. Will by some aeroboard before it comes.
I saw you were looking for some cycling fish. I have some hybrids you can have if you want
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- joey (joe watson)
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Location: Portlaoise, Midlands
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- mickdeja (Mick Whelan)
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i've been keeping an eye on that thread some monster tank!
From what I have been told my tank comes with its sump "built in" so not 100% sure what that means. Will by some aeroboard before it comes.
I saw you were looking for some cycling fish. I have some hybrids you can have if you want
where are u based man?
Mick...

Follow me up to Carlow
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- roealdo (j)
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Probably not ideal
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- roealdo (j)
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Any one got practical tips on how to run and maintain something like this?
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- joey (joe watson)
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Location: Portlaoise, Midlands
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- Frontosa (Tim kruger)
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bought my sump sock in Seahorse Aquariums.It is just another way to keep maintainance down.Regards,Tim
Midlands - in the heart of Ireland.
Keeping and breeding : Frontosa Blue Zaires , Synodontis Petricola , Tropheus Red Rainbow (Kasanga) , Tropheus Moliro . Regulary fry for sale.
Community tank with P.Kribensis and different livebearers.
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- roealdo (j)
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i havent played with pump speed yet. Could use your help. Might be out on the street if I dont get this sorted asap
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- Frontosa (Tim kruger)
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Midlands - in the heart of Ireland.
Keeping and breeding : Frontosa Blue Zaires , Synodontis Petricola , Tropheus Red Rainbow (Kasanga) , Tropheus Moliro . Regulary fry for sale.
Community tank with P.Kribensis and different livebearers.
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- mickdeja (Mick Whelan)
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Mick...

Follow me up to Carlow
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- roealdo (j)
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Might drop you a text tomorrow.
If I'm seen even looking at fish in the next couple of weeks I could be shot!
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- joey (joe watson)
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If I'm seen even looking at fish in the next couple of weeks I could be shot!
LMAO
i'd probably be made to stand behind you to save bullets, like the nazi's did! cant even look at the new cory babies
Location: Portlaoise, Midlands
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