Miscellaneous Questions/Rambling: Dec 16

[Kwyet]

This is what I’ve been using, with long Flexzilla hoses on both sides. I would like something similar if possible so I can keep using the same hoses. I just would like it to last longer.
View attachment 12537

Well, I guess there aren’t a lot of people that use these. I’m going to try a similar one by Drummond, and if it also fails within a year then I’ll consider a different type like the one posted by @TRyan.

 

[TRyan]

Well, I guess there aren’t a lot of people that use these. I’m going to try a similar one by Drummond, and if it also fails within a year then I’ll consider a different type like the one posted by @TRyan.

Your pump is substantially larger than mine. Mine does 106 gallons per hour. I wish mine was a little more powerful. I like the smaller size, though.

 

[techman81]

Well, I guess there aren’t a lot of people that use these. I’m going to try a similar one by Drummond, and if it also fails within a year then I’ll consider a different type like the one posted by @TRyan.

What is your specific use case for the pump? Are you simply using it for water changes? There are a couple different ways you could go.

To stick with using hoses like you are, you could use a diaphragm RV style pump like THIS . They are durable, long lasting, and self priming. The disadvantage is they don't play well with debris, so you need to use the filter screens they come with but those can get clogged quickly.

You could also go with something like THIS. You just attach an output hose and place the pump in your tank. It drains the tank in nothing flat. I have 2 and use them exclusively for tank draining on water change day. I use the RV diaphragm pump mounted in the basement, connected to the RO water storage bin for refilling the tank.

 

[Kwyet]

What is your specific use case for the pump? Are you simply using it for water changes? There are a couple different ways you could go.

To stick with using hoses like you are, you could use a diaphragm RV style pump like THIS . They are durable, long lasting, and self priming. The disadvantage is they don't play well with debris, so you need to use the filter screens they come with but those can get clogged quickly.

You could also go with something like THIS. You just attach an output hose and place the pump in your tank. It drains the tank in nothing flat. I have 2 and use them exclusively for tank draining on water change day. I use the RV diaphragm pump mounted in the basement, connected to the RO water storage bin for refilling the tank.

I just use the water transfer pump to move water from the tanks to the tub, and from the Brute trash can to the tanks. I use a siphon to clean substrate.

I looked at the first one you linked, but some people said it failed after a couple of months so I wasn’t sure it would be any better. The second one is really fast, which would be great for draining, but maybe not so good for filling. I also wasn’t sure about setting it on top of the sand in my tanks.

I can pick up the one mentioned tomorrow from Harbor Freight, while I would have to order the other ones and wait until the Saturday for delivery. That also happens to be when I have company coming in, so I think I’m going to take a chance on the one at Harbor Freight. It’ll be good to have some other recommended choices for later though. Thanks!

 

[Aquajack]

This has been my frustration also. After months of algae issues, my tank was looking awesome. Everything growing perfect and no algae. I needed to rearrange some plants and other things. I tried suctioning as I pulled up plants, but because of the distance, my suction is very slow. I also added a bit more aquasoil. Now the diatoms are worse than they were back when I was having my problems. I thought all that was behind me. I'm doing water changes. I also have a few of the faster growing plants stunting. No idea what is going on this time.

Actually yes good point on a couple of the plants stunting. I've had the same. Red rotala was flying along and now most of it is actually gone and what's left is ordinary...and that's normally a very easy plant. Same for Hydrocotyle, its all gone and that grew like crazy only 4-5 months ago. Rotala Wallichi is still hanging on but always algae around it.

I can't quite figure it out either but my guess is the Potassium isn't quite enough (as I can't measure it) or possibly CO2 isn't consistent across the lighting period and/or the flow of CO2 inside the tank isn't quite right. Micros I just dose the standard amount. GH/KH readings are good but don't have a breakdown of calcium/magnesium.

 

[BenB]

Red rotala was flying along and now most of it is actually gone

Ugh... that's bad. My few stems that are stunted are hanging in there, but if they don't come around soon, I'm concerned they will make it. They will likely put up side shoots. I'm still curious why they stunted.

Rotala Wallichi is still hanging on but always algae around it.

I just tossed mine. When my tank got on its feet and was doing great, the R wallichi still sort of struggled and just looked bad.

I can't quite figure it out either but my guess is the Potassium isn't quite enough (as I can't measure it) or possibly CO2 isn't consistent across the lighting period and/or the flow of CO2 inside the tank isn't quite right. Micros I just dose the standard amount. GH/KH readings are good but don't have a breakdown of calcium/magnesium.

Of all the above, the only one I can measure that you can't is the CO2. Some people tend to think that we usually have more K than we need if you're dosing it like most recommend.

Keep plugging along. Mine was a nightmare for the last build and then this one, but eventually I found the causes. This time I guess it's the new aquasoil that shook everything up, but I'm surprised it has set everything back this far.

We'll both figure it out. Just will take some patience. I'm not worrying about it until after the holidays. Too busy and I just want to sit around and eat chocolate.

 

[Minninips]

What does everyone do with their waste water? Between water changes and RO, it seems like there's the potential for a good amount of water disposal and sending it all down the drain seems wasteful.

 

[gnatster]

What does everyone do with their waste water? Between water changes and RO, it seems like there's the potential for a good amount of water disposal and sending it all down the drain seems wasteful.

Water houseplants. In the spring and summer, I'll water the vegetable plants on my deck with it.

 

[Kwyet]

I used to send it out the front door to water the flower beds, but there’s no easy way to do that from the new house so it just goes down the bathtub drain.

 

[Aquajack]

What does everyone do with their waste water? Between water changes and RO, it seems like there's the potential for a good amount of water disposal and sending it all down the drain seems wasteful.

Similarly as per other responses, I water all the garden and my two large ikea terrariums.

So water changes are siphoned out by tubing and put back by the hose connected to tap water. So no effort for the actual water change, but then when draining the tank, I'm running all over the garden with buckets of tank water lol.

 

[TRyan]

I was doing a little filter maintenance today, putting some silicone grease on my Oase filter gaskets and noticed this. This can't be good, right? Replace or let it ride?