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240ric Corner HMF DIY 10G Breeder Tank


240ric

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In my attempt to create some TiBees, I decided to put together a dedicated breeder tank with a spare 10G I had laying around.  I didn't want to spend too much money to get this going so I found a corner HMF DIY video on youtube and got inspired.  I went out and bought the HMF material for this project from Home Depot and eBay, total cost $16.76, with a lot of material left over for more tanks. 

 

10x11 45ppi reticulated foam: $6.49  

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Reticulated-Open-Cell-Foam-Sponge-Filter-Media-Aquarium-Fish-HMF-Sump-11-Fine-/281796095415?hash=item419c5b2db7:g:xYIAAOSw4SlV8UKW

 

3/4" PVC piping:  $2.65

http://www.homedepot.com/p/JM-eagle-3-4-in-x-10-ft-PVC-Schedule-40-Plain-End-Pipe-57471/202280935

 

3/4" PVC elbow:  $0.48

http://www.homedepot.com/p/3-4-in-Schedule-40-PVC-90-Degree-Elbow-C406-007/100347455

 

PVC L mould corner bead:  $1.93

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Clark-Dietrich-10-ft-PVC-L-Mould-Corner-Bead-12VINL10H/202848954?keyword=l+bead+pvc

 

GE Silicone I:  $5.21

http://www.homedepot.com/p/GE-All-Purpose-Silicone-I-10-1-oz-Clear-Window-and-Door-Caulk-GE012A-24C/100091111

 

 

I installed the L brackets with silicone approximately 6.25" from the corners and am waiting for the silicone to cure.  I will install the foam in the next couple days, fill the tank, and start the cycle.  Hopefully in 3-4 weeks, I can add some OEBTs and TBs from my main tank .

 

post-3070-0-93399900-1453060687_thumb.jp post-3070-0-31939000-1453060815_thumb.jp

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I tested it in a bucket and flow seems to be adequate. We'll see how it performs when I actually install it in the tank with the foam installed. I looked at homedepot.com and did see this PVC elbow. I may test it out since it only cost $0.80.

 

post-3070-0-01711300-1453071030_thumb.jp

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The trick in creating the "jet" effect which alows more air to enter the pipe and in return better water flow is the series of tiny (pin) holes drilled in a certain pattern at the bottom of the tube. There's about 20-30 tiny holes drilled in a diagonal pattern

 

Not my pic. Just for reference

post-89-0-60604600-1453076684_thumb.jpg

 

 

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Thanks mayphly for the tip. I just watched that video on YouTube and may try that.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Bought a 1 to 1-1/4 tube adapter in my attempt to create a jet-pipe.  Got a little bit more flow than my first attempt but nothing dramatic.  Maybe the holes I drilled in the pipe were too big.  Anyway, I'm satisfied with the output of the lift tube so I started the fishless cycle.  Added some pre-seeded media from my main tank to accelerate the cycle.  

 

Will add the substrate soon but wanted to start getting some bacteria built up on the foam while I decide which route to go, active or inert substrate.  I have a bag of Brightwell Rio Escuro XF and a bag of Flora-max ready to go.  I have Brightwell in my main tank, but I may attempt to use the Flora-max with Sera Super Peat to bring the PH down, and salty bee shrimp GH+ to bring the GH to 5.  Any thoughts?

 

post-3070-0-34225100-1453859867_thumb.jp post-3070-0-34550200-1453859865_thumb.jp

post-3070-0-47751700-1453859864_thumb.jp post-3070-0-09489600-1453859863_thumb.jp

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I was concerned that the rails would not be sturdy enough since Swiss Tropicals uses glass for their corner HMF design. After installing them in with silicone, the rails are solid and doesn't flex as much as I thought it would.

It would be better if the rails were a darker color, but this is not intended to be a show tank. The YouTube video where I got the rail idea from said to paint the rails black to match the foam. Not sure what kind of paint is aquarium safe, so I was not going to chance shrimp death for tank asthetics.

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Wow, didn't know that. When I think of spray paint, I think of nasty chemicals leaching into the water. I used Krylon Fusion black to paint the back of my main shrimp tank, and the outside glass of the HMF compartment of this tank.

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  • 3 weeks later...

Added Brightwell Rio Escuro substrate and completed cycling of the tank. Added a couple of Snow White test shrimp tonight. If all goes well, this weekend I will be moving some TB and CRS from my main tank. Decided to keep the OEBT in my main tank for now. Instead, I am in the market for some Tibees for this tank, but may just buy some TT in the next couple of weeks and create my own.

post-3070-0-94981200-1455674454_thumb.jp

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Thanks! I just pulled a fine filter from the cannister filter from my main shrimp tank and stuck it in the hmf compartment to speed up the cycle. I'm pretty sure the hmf foam is fully seeded by now, but will leave the fine filter in there for a few months just in case. The longest part of the cycle was getting the nitrite level to zero.

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Got some Pseudo Tibees, an RKK, and a BKK from Mayphly today.  Great patterns from this batch.  First time buying from him and most likely not the last.  Will move a couple more RKKs and BKKs into this tank and I guess we'll see what pops out.

post-3070-0-19922300-1456197292_thumb.jp post-3070-0-33869300-1456197293_thumb.jp post-3070-0-84495500-1456197293_thumb.jp

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Got some Pseudo Tibees, an RKK, and a BKK from Mayphly today.  Great patterns from this batch.  First time buying from him and most likely not the last.  Will move a couple more RKKs and BKKs into this tank and I guess we'll see what pops out.

attachicon.giftibee3.JPG attachicon.giftibee2.JPG attachicon.giftibee1.JPG

I bought some awesome pseudo's from Andy. Just wait till they get bigger, the colors get better. I have one that is mind blowing. Mine are starting to get berried. Mayphly is the best.

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