Tyguy's T-Bar Tank

So my mind has been working since last night vikingkirken and had some ideas. I found this inline pump that I think would work perfectly for an above the tank sump



But...then I got to thinking...maybe I'm making this way more difficult than it has to be. Maybe what I should do is basically "hang" an overflow box in my tank and put the plants in there? That wouldn't require a pump, but it would take up room in my tank. Something like this...



Might have to put a powerhead on it to make sure the water was moving in and out well...hmm things to think about

 

That overflow looks like it would work well! It's a bit more expensive, but if that's not an issue, I think it'd be a great solution. You already have separate filtration, so you don't necessarily need the capacity of a large windowbox.

I considered in-tank filtration, but decided it would be too hard to clean. But again, my sump is my entire filtration, whereas you're looking more for a planted refugium. I worried about blocking light to the lower part of the tank, but that's also not an issue for you as this isn't a planted tank.

The only downside I see is, that doesn't look long enough to hide your heaters. But of course that's not necessary.

 

There are cheaper overflow boxes on Ebay, by the way. I got one for my 44 gal on Ebay for much cheaper.

 

Yeah I wasn't going to buy one of those. Just for a visual. I'll check out the ones on eBay

 

Check the dimensions though, you're probably going to want one a bit deeper than 1.5-2" front-to-back in order to leave room for plant roots.

 

Yeah. The over the tank idea is going to take a lot more work but in the end it would probably look better and be better for nitrate removal because I could do more plants. But the in tank overflow box would be so much easier. No plumbing. But I'm not sure I want to give up the tank space.

 

Here's what mine looks like right now. My plants are starting to fill in; I could have added more, but I'm in no hurry.



Imagine yours with one windowbox (you have other filtration), and no tubing out the ends. You could also put a lot more plants if you're not filling half of it with filter floss and heaters like I did.

 

Here's my idea

 

The circles where the plants are would be matrix

 

I like the fish commentary. Hehe Seriously though, looks fine to me--but definitely do two pipes at the return end, ala Herbie. You won't need teeth in there, it might be quieter without them. The water level doesn't need to be lower on the return end, either. Just have water enter the plant chamber under the first divider, and exit over the second divider, and you'll get good circulation.

 

I used lava rock in mine of you want to save a few bucks. Aquaponics clay pebbles would probably work too, and look more like potting soil to further the planter box look.

 

Hmm good point about the two pipes. And thanks for the tip on the lava rock/pebbles.

My concern if I allowed the water to go in under the first divider is that 1) the water splashing around in the first chamber would be noisy, and 2) the pebbles/rocks would cave into the first chamber under the divider. Thoughts? I need to make this as silent as possible.

 

Also, thoughts on having the pipes come in from the back of the planter instead of underneath. That would keep me from having to drill holes in my canopy

 

Pipes out the back would work great. Definitely avoid cutting holes in your canopy if you don't have to!

The first chamber shouldn't be noisy; if you find it is, put some filter floss in there and it'll dampen the noise right down. The water should be pretty much even through all the compartments. It'll come up to the level of the emergency/overflow drain.

I haven't had a problem with rock going under the divider; you only need it about a 1/2" up from the bottom. Lava rock is easily bigger than that. You could do teeth on that one if you were worried about matrix getting through.

 

Hmm ok. New drawing



So if I went in from the back would I have just yes bulk head holes open or would I put a PVC elbow in. Does that make sense.

New crazy idea... What if instead of a pump I y'd off the output of one of my canisters and brought it in the planter?

 

You might need an elbow facing up for the emergency drain. The others should be fine. The lowest point in the emergency drain will determine your sump water level.

As for the canister idea, well it might work! I honestly don't know! If it was me, I'd probably give it a try and see what happens!

I didn't end up needing a valve for mine, but I think I just got lucky... My pump was adjustable and the pump GPH was very close to the gravity drain GPH. But assuming you need/get a valve, look into Spear gate valves, everyone recommended those to me.

 

Thanks for the advice. Going to do some more thinking on this

 

Can't wait to see what this is going to look like. I was think about putting a wandering Jew, and an aloe plant in the HOBs on the 125. I'd love some inspiration on that ty.

 

Got the new mangroves in. Some of them were shorter than I expected so I had to move substrate around to make it work.

Also...I think Max has grown in the week he's been in this tank.

 

Mangroves, cool! Keep us posted on how they do!

 

Mangroves do well in brackish water also, correct?

 

Yes they do

 

If anyone is interested, this is the person I bought them off of.

guppygrove.com

 

Any doubts the kuhlis like the mangroves?




There was actually three piled on top of each other but couldn't get a good shot before they noticed be and scurried away

 

How many kuhlis are in the pile?



And my old momma kuhlI was out tonight. She's my oldest fish.

 

Well a sad morning indeed. I thought it was strange my old momma loach was out by herself last night. I found her dead this morning. She was the fish I've had the longest (along with one of my oblonga loaches). She was full grown 3 years ago when I got her. No telling how old she was. Sad day

 

Awe... Sorry to hear

 

Well, that stinks Tyguy, so sorry you lost her.

 

RIP momma loach

 

Sorry you lost her

But my guess for the loach pile is 5?

 

Yep. All 5 oblonga loaches were piled on the Mangrove

 

Aww, sorry about your kuhli! It sounds like momma had a good long life!

 

Sorry for the loss of your loach. What is there average lifespan?

 

A very long time. Common 8 to 10 years but I've seen folks say over 20 in aquaria is possible. I'll have to keep an eye on the rest of my fish just to be safe

 

I like long lived fish. The hardest part of the hobby is losing fish.

 

Awww sorry to hear !!!!

 

Thanks everyone. This one is tough. Everyone always liked her because she was so huge and cute. And I've had her longer than any other fish other than one of the black kuhlis.

In other news...I came home today to see that someone has completely destroyed the left side of the tank.


And then I see it. One of the female tbars has breeding dress on and Max is digging holes left and right. They have pushed all the other fish to the right side of the tank and are defending it. Looks like I have a pair that has dug a nest of sorts




And my l183 was out again. He seems to like this tank better

 

RIP mama kuhlI

Happy to see Max and his lady setting up house though! Baby t-bars soon?

 

Max is finally settling down with a nice lady lol. Super jealous of the starlight! Will it keep those white bands or do they go away?

 

I think it will keep them. Not totally sure though.

We'll see about babies. I'm not really prepared for them. But we'll see