Equipment Review and Discussion :: Distance filter bottom - water surface

[Lovor]

Hello, I'm Lovro from Croatia.

I'm switching from aquarium to plastic tank setup and I'm currently in designing process. I should say that I have no prior experience with setting up an aquarium.

I would like to ask is it really neccessary to raise the plastic tank to match the minimum manufacturer suggested height between the filter bottom and water surface. This is not an issue with aquariums since every home aquarium is raised on a table because of visual purposes, as contrary with plastic tanks.
Tank with top water is 30 cm ( 1 feet) high.

I'm planning to buy Teratec EX 1200 or Hagen Fluval 404.

This is the screenshot from Teratec manual that i got of the internet. So according to the manual, the minimum height should be 80 cm? Is that right?



Thank you for your answers, I apologise for being uneducated in this matters.

Bye,
Lovro

[megcornell]

By plastic tank do you mean a plastic storage bin like the rubbermaid brand ones? If so, you'll need to reinforce it to prevent leaks. I don't know if it's possible, but maybe you could build a stand for the tank to bring it up the last 50 cm or close to it?

[Lovor]

No, the tank I bought is designed to hold liquids. The salesman at the store where I bought it told me that small milk/cow farm owners buy these tanks to store milk. Anyway, I will definetly reinforce it with double wooden frame on plywood, and this frame will be a part of the stand.

Speaking of the stand, I was going to raise the tank 10 cm of the floor, and I can raise it 30 cm, but 50 cm is too high cause in that case I have to relocate the telephone socket.

I'll see if there are any other options, and if there aren't, I'll relocate the telephone socket and raise the tank 50+ cm of the floor.

Bye,
Lovro

[steve]

External canister filters are designed to work below the tank. They can also usually be used along side one, however it might be more difficult to operate. The main issue is priming these filters, in which water fills the filter and air is pushed out. Both the canister and the inlet tube must be filled with water, with no air trapped inside.

If the filter is below the tank, priming will be much easier. If they are both on the same level, there is nothing to force the water into the canister. You will need to manually make sure that the filter is primed, which may require some patience. The Fluval 404 does have a mixed reputation when it comes to priming, but it can be done.

[Lovor]

Thanks,

To avoid trouble with priming and other possible issues I'll raise the tank above the canister filter. It'll require a bit more work now, but better now than everytime later.

Bye,
Lovro

[steve]

You can always try to see if you can get it work first before you do any extra work. Perhaps you could use a small bucket on a table to help prime it?

[Lovor]

Hi,

Considering that I won't be home most of the time I have decided to raise the tank in order to make it more user-friendly for my family members. They will take care of the turtle when I won't be there.

Here's the progress shot:

Filter will be placed on the right side.


Bye,
Lovro

[Lovor]

Hello,

I'm posting a couple of pictures of the semi finished setup.
It's been like this for the past three months cause I can't find time to come home for longer than two days to finish the exterior panelling and some smaller issues.

Filter is working fine, water is changed once a week, turtle is fine.

Distance is as per instructions, priming goes easy.


Setup: Tank should be 30% larger for the turtle's size, but for the next two years that's it.


Hello, I have 11 years on my back



Bye

[N4784N R4613]

Nice set-up!! And 11 years!!! Wow!! Congrats!!!! I can't seem to see a UVB bulb. Do you have one?

[Vivi]

nice turt. congrats

[Lovor]

Thanks!

Nice set-up!! And 11 years!!! Wow!! Congrats!!!! I can't seem to see a UVB bulb. Do you have one?

Hello, the only bulb in the picture is UVA/UVB bulb. It's not mount properly, but this is temporary. Previously there was a writing desk lamp fixture/stand whose joints got really weak so it was removed.


Merry Christmas for those who celebrate.

Bye