Journal 5.8 Gallon Betta Blackwater

[gnatster]

This has been a slow process. The last of the hardware arrived today after the USPS took the box on a tour down the East Coast and then around the Southeast, before a stop in OK, before heading to Ohio. To add to the fun, the package was left at my neighbors.

I've been experimenting with various designs, but nothing has been satisfying. Now that all the hardware is here and in place, it may jog the creative process.

 

[gnatster]

Started laying out the plumbing. These lily pipes are monsters in this size tank.

Looking for advice on a Stainless Lily Pipe set w/Skimmer 12/16 hose that doesn't take over the visuals.

Aquarium is a UNS 5T - 14.17" x 8.66" x 11.02"

 

[Koan]

These are short /small






Here's a tiny stand-alone skimmer

 

[techman81]

You asked the other day what pipes I'm using in my nano tank. I linked the non-skimmer version. Here is the 12mm skimmer version . I'm using the 16mm skimmer version on my farm tank and it's working well so far. I'm not using the acrylic outflow "cup" though. I see little need for it.

 

[gnatster]

That was for the shallow 60S. I didn't think about those for the taller 5T. I did purchase the suction side, found it too long in the tank.

Now have tried it on the 5T. It almost works, ordered an extension tube that if need be can easily be cut down. My landlord and neighbor is a metal shop.

 

[DutchMuch]

These are short /small

View attachment 10713

View attachment 10714


Here's a tiny stand-alone skimmer

View attachment 10718

Immediately added that skimmer to my shopping cart LOL thank you.

 

[techman81]

Here's a tiny stand-alone skimmer

Ouch! That skimmer is expensive. This is the one I got. I can't yet vouch for it's long term durability but it's working so far. I would run it on a programmable plug though so you can set it to come on for a few short periods during the day.

I would be interested to know though if you have the expensive one and what you think.

 

[Koan]

Immediately added that skimmer to my shopping cart

Attractive little additional flow pump if nothing else look forward to hearing how it runs!

 

[DutchMuch]

Just to add to the skimmer convo, I’d like to please advise anyone out there to NOT purchase the UNS skimmer.

I’ve owned the Oase, Eheim, and now UNS skimmers, and the UNS one is the worst by far… Eheim was the best overall, Oase not far behind!

 

[gnatster]

This project continues to drag on due to a combination of long shipping times, my desire to do it right from the get-go, and my own mistakes. The long-awaited outflow lily pipe arrived this evening. That's when I realized I had the incorrect inflow pipe diameter for the hose; it's too large. Oy vey!

The hopefully correct 12mm inflow pipe has been ordered. Now to sit on my hands for another two weeks.

One day...

 

[gnatster]

I think this is a cursed project.

Along with the mistakes I've made in ordering hardware, we have the following.

Put a mark on the inside front glass right in the center with a rock while scaping for the umpteenth time because I can't make up my mind.​

​

Pulled the background off to swap from back to front to hide the mark. After thoroughly cleaning, measuring, and carefully applying the last of the background film, I found a hair right in the middle. Not one of my many white hairs that would have gone unnoticed, but a thick black one.​

Tracking for the correct 12mm inflow pipe shows at the export location.

I have finally arrived at a design I was mostly happy with. The plan for today was to redo the background, add substrate, glue up the hardscape, and plumb with the Oase hardware and commence the dark start. Replumb with the SS hardware after the dark start.

Oh well, another day.

 

[techman81]

I think this is a legitimate thing: "The smaller the tank, the bigger the problems."

 

[gnatster]

Now it's a comedy.

Amazon shipped the wrong item. A red/white checked background just doesn't fit my design sensibilities.

 

[techman81]

Now it's a comedy.

Amazon shipped the wrong item. A red/white checked background just doesn't fit my design sensibilities.

2 weeks ago I ordered a couple Dewalt batteries and received two containers of Knox gelatine. Still not as good as a year ago when i received a flat empty bag. Like nobody in the handling process questioned a flat featherlight bag?

 

[techman81]

Sorry, it's my daily AI fix.

 

[gnatster]

The correct background arrived. Woohoo

And I did a thing.

 

[Sb1415]

The correct background arrived. Woohoo

And I did a thing.

View attachment 11033

Nice! Which background is this on Amazon ?

 

[gnatster]

Nice! Which background is this on Amazon ?

Niviy-Etched-Privacy-Frosted-Adhesive

 

[gnatster]

Flooded and wrapped. Dark Start commenced.

 

[techman81]

Hopefully you have a towel or something around the base to catch condensation, or you have a lid. Ask me how I know to point that out. LOL!