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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

New project

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05 Nov 2017 01:00 #1 by robert (robert carter)
Ok all have just purchased from ebay a racking system , now dont laugh this is going into a bedroom , yes even got planning permission from my good lady , must be going soft in her old age . Anyway i was hoping to put 6x 100litre tanks on it, not sure yet whats going into them but hopefully some angel fish fry to grow on . Now filtration has to be thought about and thats where i need advice , do i put in a 200litre sump and fill it with biohome media and run all the tanks from it , this has many pros and cons or put a big air pump in the atic as has already been sudjested in another of my posts and run sponge filters in each tank . Was hoping the lads that have fish rooms might offer some guidence . This is really going to be my retirement project so i expect it to take several months to materialise . Already thinking that 6 tanks all the same size and shape would look better than odd sizes and shapes . The three various size tanks would initially go on the racking . I need to do this right so as much help would be grate . I know how helpful everyone was on my last project of the sumped coldwater tank . Thanks

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05 Nov 2017 07:37 #2 by Mallet (Barry Fitzpatrick)
Robert, I hope your bedroom is on a ground floor, that would be a lot of weight on flooring joists :unsure:

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05 Nov 2017 09:33 - 05 Nov 2017 09:37 #3 by gunnered72 (Eddy Gunnered)
If your intention is to breed in all these tanks the answer is sponge filters (big ones) all the way....Sponge filters are excellent for breeding tanks because they also act as a food source for babies and also supply extra oxygen...

Make sure the rack system runs parallel to a support wall......
You will have no problem as regards the weight once you run your racks parallel to a support wall....

I would also suggest lids for the tanks in question...Because you are going to run into evaporation problems otherwise and this will lead to humidity issues in the confines of a bedroom....You will sweat much more at night whilst sleeping as a result...The lids will also suppress the sound of the sponge filters which bubble constantly (but it actually isnt that bad)
Last edit: 05 Nov 2017 09:37 by gunnered72 (Eddy Gunnered).

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05 Nov 2017 09:43 #4 by gunnered72 (Eddy Gunnered)
I would definitely filter each tank individually for the simple reason of disease outbreak prevention...

In a common sumped system any disease that breaks out in one tank is gonna make its way into the others...

You basically risk losing 6 tanks of fish in a sumped system as opposed to only one tank of fish in individually filtered tanks..

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05 Nov 2017 10:32 #5 by fishmad1234 (Craig Coyle)
Eddy is spot on Robert a long time ago I had a shrimp rack never actually got to run it after a few months of planning and designing it custom opti white tanks and custom stand the plan was to run them all off an air pump and sponge filters.


The most costly part of will be heating 6 tanks one air pump can run any amount of sponge filters but you will need a heater in each tank. get your self an air line splitter cheap as chips on eBay air line tubing pretty much everything you can get from eBay for a rack.

What have you thought about for lighting Robert.


Looking forward to seeing this project progress.


Regards
Craig

at the end of the day it becomes nite

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05 Nov 2017 10:57 #6 by gunnered72 (Eddy Gunnered)
These are great and cheap...Use them myself whenever I breed anything...Loads of surface area for big bioloads (lots of fish)....You can take the sponges off them and stick them in established sumps and external filters for a few weeks to colonise them with lots of good bacteria...."Instant colonised media for your breeding tanks"

www.cheapfish-aquarium.ie/collections/fi...ts/double-bio-foam-l

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05 Nov 2017 13:51 - 05 Nov 2017 14:09 #7 by robert (robert carter)
Replied by robert (robert carter) on topic New project
Well thanks for all the sudjestions , this forum certainly comes to life whenhelp is needed . Ok the racking will be in an alcove against two supports wall so weight wont be a problem . Reckon indivial filtered tanks is the way to go ,for all the reasons members have given . Was in the range shop in liffey valley they had a few tanks on display really liked one of them its was 100 litres came with lid with two ppl bulbs , heater and hang on back filter, the input i can cover with a small sponge . So basicly a full set up , what i really like was the glass wascurved around at the front so less seams to fail and better vision into the tank . The rest of the tanks which i already have already on sponge filters i like the idea of say a pond air pump in the loft running them all . How do i work out what size pump i need ?incidently the tanks are 130 euro each , thought that was good value
Last edit: 05 Nov 2017 14:09 by robert (robert carter). Reason: added sentance

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05 Nov 2017 14:43 #8 by Jonlate (Jon Late)
Replied by Jonlate (Jon Late) on topic New project
The fish shop in Longford town, has separate filters on all of his tanks, for the very reason to stop the spread of anything unwanted.
Great idea to quarantine fish before you add them into your main tank or to put sick fish into.
I can’t remember which ones he uses now, but they are the hang on back type. U can send him a email via his website if you want to.
Good luck with your new rack system.

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05 Nov 2017 16:15 #9 by robert (robert carter)
Replied by robert (robert carter) on topic New project
Just ordered two tanks from the range in liffey valley giving me 10% off for getting two and the fact that they didnt have them in stock , now that the way to do bussiness . The tanks are 84 litres not 100 litres , good looking tanks

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10 Nov 2017 20:17 #10 by robert (robert carter)
Replied by robert (robert carter) on topic New project
Would anyone know what size output air pump i would need to run 6 good size air sponge filters . Bearing in mind this will be going in the actic so will have a longer than usual air line

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10 Nov 2017 22:03 - 11 Nov 2017 11:47 #11 by JohnH (John)
Replied by JohnH (John) on topic New project
Here's Colin's article on the eight-outlet Hailea ACO 9630 pump which he was well pleased with:

www.irishfishkeepers.com/articles/14-tro...ea-aco-9630-air-pump

However, a word of warning - since the photobucket picture hosts now insist on payments the illustrations are no longer available, sadly but you can still read the text.
I have one of these (only as a back-up now and I remember having an issue with it as it needed diaphragm replacement and back then they couldn't be bought but no they can so all's well now.

Although having eight outlets there will be more than the six you'll need, but I think it's better to have the option of more air should you need it in the future.rather than only having 'just enough'.

Something like the Blagdon Koi Air 50 would honestly be going way 'over the top' and - unless you are planning a large increase in tanks later this really would be like using the proverbial sledge hammer to crack a nut.

John

Location:
N. Tipp

We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl - year after year.


ITFS member.



It's a long way to Tipperary.
Last edit: 11 Nov 2017 11:47 by JohnH (John). Reason: Wrong number

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10 Nov 2017 22:51 #12 by robert (robert carter)
Replied by robert (robert carter) on topic New project
Hi John , thanks for your post , i presently have an ehiem 400 running two small sponge filter so was working an a pump out put of 400 lh by 6 tank making 2400 litres an hour . On this basis it would have to be a pond pump , was looking at one on all pond solution with an output ot 2400 litres an hour price 54 sterling , comes with manifold but no taps on the outputs . They have another one thats 4800 litres an hour that comes with a 6 tap manifold but cost 105 sterling . I have brought a lot of items from all pond solutions and always found them good . This pump is going to be in the attic for sound proofing so the run to the tanks will be longer than normal . I would prefer to buy a bigger pump rather than going smaller and having to upgrade after a short time . Robert

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11 Nov 2017 11:46 #13 by JohnH (John)
Replied by JohnH (John) on topic New project
I wonder if you have your maths right, Robert?
Maybe you plan to run two filters in each tank, if you do then you are indeed correct but with only one per tank of six you would only need half your estimated output. Please remember, too, the fact that you need another outlet to 'bleed off' excess air produced if you don't want to be having to replace diaphragms and valves too regularly (voice of experience speaking here). Probably a bit late in your planning cycle now, but have you considered under gravel filtration? - I know it has become rather 'last year's technology' in this day and age but if you aren't planning on using these tanks for plant growth this is still a first class filtration system.
You're right in the respect of needing higher air output for a longer length of air tube - it is a proven fact that the shortest length possible will give the best output of air. There's probably a formula somewhere to fully illustrate the 'loss-of-pressure-per-metre' but I don't think we need trouble ourselves with finding it.

Air manifolds with taps can be bought but are you considering running six lengths of tube down from the one manifold? This then - of course - would entail six holes in the ceiling of your room. Might that still be acceptable to the 'planning permission' department of the household?

One last point - and this has been touched upon by an earlier respondent - evaporation really will be your worst enemy once you start having banks of tanks indoors (speaking as someone with a degree of experience of this). You might want to think about obtaining a domestic dehumidifier - you will be surprised just how much water it will collect. But be warned - they aren't cheap, aren't cheap to run and don't exactly run silently.

John

Location:
N. Tipp

We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl - year after year.


ITFS member.



It's a long way to Tipperary.

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11 Nov 2017 13:16 #14 by robert (robert carter)
Replied by robert (robert carter) on topic New project
Hi John , thanks for your post, i ordered the 40 litre a minute pump this morning thats 2400 per hour which should give a supply of 400 liters per hour to six large sponge filters , yes i will need to run six airlines down through the ceiling , what i intend to do is run the airlines inside a length of pvc piping painted the same colour as the wall, this should keep things neat and tidy . I used undergravel filters when ihad tanks 30 years ago they were the only system available very very messy a lot of cleaning tanks to stop the undergravel plates getting blocked . I am only going to scape two of the tanks the others will be barebottom . The couriers let me down getting me the two missing uprights , so no progress this weekend . Reguarding evaporation all the tanks will be covered so it shouldnt be a problem . Thanks for the interest in my project

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15 Nov 2017 07:45 #15 by robert (robert carter)
Replied by robert (robert carter) on topic New project
Small update, the missing parts for the racking system arrived on monday, have scaled back abit to reduce the maintainance, the complete project will be two new 100 litre tanks an existing 85 litre tank and two existing 35 litre tanks . Planned to start moving the existing tanks on moday onto the racking but on checking them sunday night found the two tanks that each have a breeding pair of angels in them both had spawn in them , so guess i will hold off moving them for a few days just to see the results of the spawming . Have a 100 litre tank free so need idears as what to stock , was thinking of shell dwellers or some variety of cichlid , but bearing in mind our tap waters ph is only 6 . So anyony any ideas . I will send John a couple of photos to post for when set up is complete . Still cant get the hang of posting pictures

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15 Nov 2017 19:53 - 19 Nov 2017 13:35 #16 by robert (robert carter)
Replied by robert (robert carter) on topic New project
Hi all , well today i solved the problem of what to stock in the new tank by buying a flowerhorn its about 3 inches long . Cant remember the variety but their is a lot of red on him . Hes on hold for me as i have to cycle the new tank , using a sponge filter from another tank so should cycle quickly . Pictures to follow
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Last edit: 19 Nov 2017 13:35 by JohnH (John). Reason: Added image as requested

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16 Nov 2017 16:30 #17 by robert (robert carter)
Replied by robert (robert carter) on topic New project
The air pump arrived today , well its very powerful but it makes one hell of a noise , so went out and brought another two ehiem 400 air pumps . Will use the big on the pond next season

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19 Nov 2017 20:11 #18 by nomad (pat murphy)
Replied by nomad (pat murphy) on topic New project


Here you go Robert in the photo with the gold severum the flowerhorn was around 4in
in the second he was about a bulky 9in and still growing.It was called a Super Red Dragon and yours looks similar.
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20 Nov 2017 13:43 #19 by robert (robert carter)
Replied by robert (robert carter) on topic New project
Just looking for a bit of advice, my new 100 litre tank that is up and running but has nothing in it, but wood and artificial plants , have seeded the sponge filters in it , use stress syne as bacteria . Noticed the the wood has patches of fungus on them and feel very slimey to the touch , am planning putting the platium angels in this stortly , question is this ok .

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21 Nov 2017 09:38 #20 by Bill (Bill Hunter)
Replied by Bill (Bill Hunter) on topic New project
I sometimes have the same problem with wood in the tanks. The fungus, I think, is already in the water. I boil the wood I collect for about 3 or 4 hours and still the fungus appears on some pieces of wood in some tanks. I've never found any problems with it, fish dying or becoming sick, but I remove the wood and boil it again anyway. I keep a stock of wood so that when I remove some to boil I can replace it right away without having a bare tank while waiting on their wood being treated.
Having said that, I'm not boiling wood every week or other week, it only happens around once a year. Even when buying wood from an LFS I would boil it for a couple of hours before using it. Fungal spores are everywhere.
Bill

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21 Nov 2017 09:50 #21 by robert (robert carter)
Replied by robert (robert carter) on topic New project
The tank has not fish in it atpresent if i added a dose of methelene blue would it kill the fungus

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21 Nov 2017 14:51 #22 by Mallet (Barry Fitzpatrick)
I had the same problem with wood is put in my tank, it got a white cotton wool fungus all over it.
As soon as I put a bristlenose plecos in there it munched away at it with relish the fungus was gone in 2 days

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21 Nov 2017 21:01 #23 by robert (robert carter)
Replied by robert (robert carter) on topic New project
Hoping to move the platium angels into it , will they eat the fungus , tonight the tank looks pretty bad . Have added some more squeezing from a mature filter into the tank tonight

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21 Nov 2017 21:53 #24 by Mallet (Barry Fitzpatrick)
I would put a few cheap fish like guppies or platies in there first.
No disrespect to keepers of those fish. !, even tetras should nibble away at the fungus.

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21 Nov 2017 22:04 #25 by robert (robert carter)
Replied by robert (robert carter) on topic New project
Good idea might get something towards the weekend , i could always turn the heater off and put a couple of goldfish in it , they would i think eat the fungus

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27 Nov 2017 13:22 #26 by paulcavan (Paul Gileoold)
I do get this on new wood I leave it until the cycle process is over leaving the lights off the whole time then take it out scrub it with a nail brush that I only use on aquarium bits and pieces and that’s it gone

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27 Nov 2017 14:07 #27 by robert (robert carter)
Replied by robert (robert carter) on topic New project
Took the wood and a water sample back to seahorse on saturaday , water sample tested perfect except for the fungus in it , they credited me the cost of the wood and binned it , showed them the photos they said they hadnt ever seen it so bag . The goldfish i was cycling the tank with 3 of the 4 died apparantly from the fungus coating the gills preventing oxygen exchange

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30 Nov 2017 17:07 #28 by robert (robert carter)
Replied by robert (robert carter) on topic New project
A bit of a mystery , two tanks on top shelf of the racking system , the small one i painted the back and one side with a emulsion i got from B and Q with a paintbrush , gave it two generous coats allowing to dry between coat , now because the other tank is up and running thought a would paint a piece off wooden floor underlay and then stick it to the back of the tank , so two generous coats of paint and the result looked very good , a nice bright blue to show off Franks colour , well once it was fixed to the back of the tank and the lights came on it was almost black , lights off and it looks blue . The painted tank is a nice colour blue with the lights on , same pot of paint . Anyone any idea whats going on ?

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20 Dec 2017 00:24 #29 by JohnH (John)
Replied by JohnH (John) on topic New project
Pics added for Robert





Location:
N. Tipp

We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl - year after year.


ITFS member.



It's a long way to Tipperary.

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20 Dec 2017 00:59 #30 by robert (robert carter)
Replied by robert (robert carter) on topic New project
Thanks for adding the photos for me John

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