Since this revolves around a new filter, I'll post this here, but I'm not sure if this is the most fitting place for this, since it's so broad.
While preparing a filter for a tank (80cm long, 40cm wide, 30cm high), and scaping it at the same time, I've run into a problem that I didn't think about.
The plan for the filter is an overhead one, much like one I already have up and running in another tank, but I also decided to get a planted tank with a sand bottom. The practical problem is that inevitably, the pump will suck up sand, damaging the impeller in time, and messing with the filtration, by moving the sand from my tank into the filter. Since the filter itself has already been built pretty much completely, I'm not keen on changing the whole type of filtration, so I'd like to make this work if at all possible.
I've been thinking about multiple different methods to prevent the sand from entering the pump. I was also thinking of using this oppertunity to hide at least the intake tube and pump. I'd also like it to look at least a little bit nice, if possible.
I've been thinking about different possibilities.
- A full DIY background with all filtration tubes behind it on both ends of the tank, and small holes to connect both sides. The problem with this one is that 40cm of depth isn't a lot to work with, so it will impact on the space that the fish can use. Even if I use 5cm for most of it, and just a 'bump' where the actual pump is. Overall the nicest looking option, I think, even though making the background will take a bit of time and resources.
- A diagonal 'divider' to isolate the pump and maybe the return tubes. This is easy to make, but I only have transparent acrylic, so it will look a bit weird, until it's covered with algea.
- A small 'plateau' for the pump. I can make something simple to put the pump on, or put it on a flat rock. This should clear it from the sand, but stability, thus noise might be an issue, because of the suction cups being ineffectve on rock. This will also not cover up the pump, thus staying ugly.
- A low acrylic ridge to block most of the sand from entering the pump. This way I can put sand pretty much next to the filter with only a few cm to spare, thus blocking about half of it visually, without much decrease if filtering performance. The fish messing around might eventually throw sand over the ridge, and cause problems anyways.
My challenge is that I'd like to make it with stuff I already own, to keep cost down.
The full background, for obvious reasons has my preference, but I only have a sheet of polystyrene to play around with, and nothing else to colour it or make it inert.
Am I overlooking a different solution?
The fish that will go inside are 3 Polypterus senegalus and 3 Ctenopoma acutirostre. They are currently in a 60*30*30(cm) tank, and they are all around 6-8cm long, and I fear they are outgrowing their tank, since I detect a bit of a growth spurt in at least the Ctenopoma, making time a bit of a restraint as well. I doubt the 80*40*30 tank will be their permanent home, so this tank will probably be temporary, until I can buy and set up a bigger tank as their permanent home. (personally thinking of 120*60*60cm) Also, these fish are jumpers, so I'll need to cover up everything they can potentially jump into or behind, making it more annoying to make, making the 'ridge' option the easiest.
Given these circumstances, will going out of my way to make an aesthetically pleasing tank even make sense? The tank they are in now has a DIY sponge filter, so I'm used to ugly. It just doesn't have my preference. I'd like to make it planted with a sand bottom, for extra hiding spots, but I'm not married to the idea. I've also thought of potting the plants in the sand.
Did any of you have the same type of situation? Typing this all out has already given me some much needed insight, but whatever you guys can add will be very welcome.