Planted tank with crushed coral subtrate?

jcatblum · 12/14/2005, 09:49 PM

Just wanting some input, I bought a WONDERFUL tank on ebay, but the person that listed didn't know much about the tank here is a link to the auction where I won the tank http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWN%3AIT&rd=1
The pictures are awful, but the tank has great rock ledges made into the side and back walls, which make it look awsome.

I am wanting to make this into my MAIN seahorse tank.

Here is my problem....
the tank is plumbed with ten different holes..
there are four in the back that help water flow to the filters, and four that bring water up from the filters. The other two holes serves as an undergravel filtration system, and are also blowing "clean" water back into the tank. I don't believe there is any way to take the undergravel system out, and the subtrate is crushed coral. Is there any way for me to still enjoy some plants in my tank?

If so what kind of plants.

I currently have
Caulerpa Prolifera, Paspaloides and peltata
Mangrove Pods
Halimeda
Ulva
Sargrassum
and some cool red stuff that I bought on some FRESH uncured rock (it died off a little during the curing process, but I am hoping it comes back and I can get an ID then.) I am thinking it might be kelp but I am unsure.
All of the plants mentioned above are in a tank with a DSB, and I just wanted to know which ones will do ok in the crushed coral? Also I know the worst part is there is going to be some kind of current coming from underneath the subtrate---so is that going to be a problem?
My DH thinks we can put sand in the tank---but I disagree (unless the undergravel filter comes out)
The way the paspaloides grow in my current setup I think they will work, I was also thinking the Ulva and Halimeda would work.

Any input?
Did I make all of this sound confussing enough???
I have been thinking about this for 2 weeks, and decieded I needed more input---because the undergravel filter is worring me to death.

Maybe you noticed--the auction didn't mention an undergravel filtration system did it? Got to love Ebay....

AIMFish · 12/15/2005, 10:48 AM

About your questions concerning the plumbed undergravel filter. You don't need to have a filter running on them. I didn't see the holes in the pictures but I assume they use standard PVC fittings and if so you could put ball valves on them and keep them closed. If you did that I would still have a piece of pipe after the valve and then glue a cap in just in cas the ball valve failed. You could even plumb them together w/ each other or other holes you aren't using. I would experiment w/ running it in reverse flow myself. There is a thread somewhere on RC about a guy who has had his reverse flow UG filter tank running for about 30 years. Another reason I would try it is to recirculate nutrients to the root system on seagrasses you may try to put in there. You can have ball valves on the returns and cut the flow down if it's to much and blows the substrate around. Off topic but there is no center support in that stand and I think it said it was 6ft. I guess it may not bee needed if they have had it up for that long but it would scare me

I just read the description stating that the stand is made from iron and has wheels!! Now I'm really scares 125 gallons of water on wheels!

jcatblum · 12/15/2005, 11:11 AM

Actually the being on wheels part is great!!!! We sat the tank up on one side of the room, and we were able to "gently" move it to the other side of the room. You have to wheel it really slow if it is full, just so the water does not jump out. My husband is building a new stand to fit on top of the iron. Oh and it does have a center brace. The holes for the undergravel filter are also plumbed together with the return for other parts of the tank. Really, the tank should have come with an instruction book. My husband just decieded if he could maybe take PVC attatch it to the holes for theh undergravel system. Then run it vertically to the top, and across the tank to create a spray bar. He said there are already ball valves on the tank, but he hasn't really messed with it to much.

Shoestring Reefer · 12/15/2005, 03:59 PM

I don't see why you can't remove the crushed coral and add whatever substrait you want, even if the UG filter is not removable. But I'd be suprised if it is truly not removable, at least for maintenance.

12/14/2005, 09:49 PM	#1
jcatblum Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: SW Oklahoma Posts: 274	Planted tank with crushed coral subtrate? Just wanting some input, I bought a WONDERFUL tank on ebay, but the person that listed didn't know much about the tank here is a link to the auction where I won the tank http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWN%3AIT&rd=1 The pictures are awful, but the tank has great rock ledges made into the side and back walls, which make it look awsome. I am wanting to make this into my MAIN seahorse tank. Here is my problem.... the tank is plumbed with ten different holes.. there are four in the back that help water flow to the filters, and four that bring water up from the filters. The other two holes serves as an undergravel filtration system, and are also blowing "clean" water back into the tank. I don't believe there is any way to take the undergravel system out, and the subtrate is crushed coral. Is there any way for me to still enjoy some plants in my tank? If so what kind of plants. I currently have Caulerpa Prolifera, Paspaloides and peltata Mangrove Pods Halimeda Ulva Sargrassum and some cool red stuff that I bought on some FRESH uncured rock (it died off a little during the curing process, but I am hoping it comes back and I can get an ID then.) I am thinking it might be kelp but I am unsure. All of the plants mentioned above are in a tank with a DSB, and I just wanted to know which ones will do ok in the crushed coral? Also I know the worst part is there is going to be some kind of current coming from underneath the subtrate---so is that going to be a problem? My DH thinks we can put sand in the tank---but I disagree (unless the undergravel filter comes out) The way the paspaloides grow in my current setup I think they will work, I was also thinking the Ulva and Halimeda would work. Any input? Did I make all of this sound confussing enough??? I have been thinking about this for 2 weeks, and decieded I needed more input---because the undergravel filter is worring me to death. Maybe you noticed--the auction didn't mention an undergravel filtration system did it? Got to love Ebay.... __________________ Christina Blum Ft Sill OK Current Tank Info: -

12/15/2005, 11:11 AM	#3
jcatblum Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: SW Oklahoma Posts: 274	Actually the being on wheels part is great!!!! We sat the tank up on one side of the room, and we were able to "gently" move it to the other side of the room. You have to wheel it really slow if it is full, just so the water does not jump out. My husband is building a new stand to fit on top of the iron. Oh and it does have a center brace. The holes for the undergravel filter are also plumbed together with the return for other parts of the tank. Really, the tank should have come with an instruction book. My husband just decieded if he could maybe take PVC attatch it to the holes for theh undergravel system. Then run it vertically to the top, and across the tank to create a spray bar. He said there are already ball valves on the tank, but he hasn't really messed with it to much. __________________ Christina Blum Ft Sill OK Current Tank Info: -

12/15/2005, 03:59 PM	#4
Shoestring Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Westerly, RI Posts: 4,989	I don't see why you can't remove the crushed coral and add whatever substrait you want, even if the UG filter is not removable. But I'd be suprised if it is truly not removable, at least for maintenance. __________________ Mike Reefcentral Folding@Home team 37251 - Click my little red house to learn more and help medical science! Current Tank Info: 2, 20-gal low tech tanks

12/15/2005, 10:48 AM	#2
AIMFish Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Marion,IN Posts: 1,129	About your questions concerning the plumbed undergravel filter. You don't need to have a filter running on them. I didn't see the holes in the pictures but I assume they use standard PVC fittings and if so you could put ball valves on them and keep them closed. If you did that I would still have a piece of pipe after the valve and then glue a cap in just in cas the ball valve failed. You could even plumb them together w/ each other or other holes you aren't using. I would experiment w/ running it in reverse flow myself. There is a thread somewhere on RC about a guy who has had his reverse flow UG filter tank running for about 30 years. Another reason I would try it is to recirculate nutrients to the root system on seagrasses you may try to put in there. You can have ball valves on the returns and cut the flow down if it's to much and blows the substrate around. Off topic but there is no center support in that stand and I think it said it was 6ft. I guess it may not bee needed if they have had it up for that long but it would scare me I just read the description stating that the stand is made from iron and has wheels!! Now I'm really scares 125 gallons of water on wheels!