Freakgecko91
Aquarium Advice Addict
Ok, so I don't have any of my spare filters or parts with me (I just moved and left them in storage, I have a whole box full of various Aquaclear models and some random parts) but i was wondering if it would be possible to turn a AC filter into a fish nursery. I just had my lophiobagrus cyclurus (dwarf tanganyikan bullhead catfish) spawn and have no room for a spare tank right now. I also can't stand the sound of an air pump as the tank is in my room, so that removes the possibility of an air driven nursery. The tank is only a 20 gallon long, so a mesh would be difficult as well. So here's my plan:
Take a larger AC filter, like a 50 or 70, and remove the impeller. I would replace it with an impeller from the model 1 size down (smaller impeller=less flow). I would add some sponge around the inside, so the fry couldn't swim into the impeller or anything. If the flow was still too strong, I could either go lower on the impeller size, or put a porous material in the intake tube. I would possibly silicone a small piece of grid/mesh across the overflow, so the fry couldn't jump into the main tank. Finish it off with some moss for the inside.
So does this seem like a viable nursery? Anyone think of any specific downsides to it? Like I said, my supplies are 500 miles away, but eventually I'll be able to go back home and grab the stuff I need. I've seen people use them to make refugiums, which need low flow, so I figured why not use it as a fish nursery? Thanks everyone!
Take a larger AC filter, like a 50 or 70, and remove the impeller. I would replace it with an impeller from the model 1 size down (smaller impeller=less flow). I would add some sponge around the inside, so the fry couldn't swim into the impeller or anything. If the flow was still too strong, I could either go lower on the impeller size, or put a porous material in the intake tube. I would possibly silicone a small piece of grid/mesh across the overflow, so the fry couldn't jump into the main tank. Finish it off with some moss for the inside.
So does this seem like a viable nursery? Anyone think of any specific downsides to it? Like I said, my supplies are 500 miles away, but eventually I'll be able to go back home and grab the stuff I need. I've seen people use them to make refugiums, which need low flow, so I figured why not use it as a fish nursery? Thanks everyone!
