Aquaclear Fish Nursery?

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Freakgecko91

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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! I've asked on a couple other sub forums, but I'm not getting anything, thought some on here might be able to help more
 
My first thought is the fry being lined to what ever you use to keep them from flowing back into the tank.

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My first thought is the fry being lined to what ever you use to keep them from flowing back into the tank.

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So maybe line that with some sponge as well, remember that the flow will be greatly lessened, so I don't think the overflow would be that strong either. I may try this when ever I visit back home. Can't hurt to try after all


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If you have a 110 I would use that with a ac20 impeller. Might work. Another option is a fluval spec as a temp or better yet the spec V. I have the 2 gallon spec and the filtration is great and it takes the media from an ac20. Its also dead silent. I got lucky and picked it up at petsmart on a close out for $35.00.
 
I have one back in Michigan, but I gutted the filter compartment to get more space, and to use a HOB with it, and am currently broke (waiting to hear back on a job)


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I do have a spare ac 110 somewhere (left it at my dads house, hopefully it won't disappear somehow)


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I think its a great idea because the fry will always be in the same tank water and will have a fresh flow going through as long as you can get it low enough.
 
That what I was thinking. I just wish I had brought those filters, or at least a few of them


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Following, I use a HOB marina nursery that's air driven. With a tetra whisper 10 you can barely hear anything.
 
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