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Custom mixing station solution (1 Viewer)

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Tangs

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Ya so I found a Sterilite waste paper basket ...21 liters. For 8 C. Just down the road from me. I want to drill some holes on the bottom so debris will not build up. Fill it full of sponges. And have it directly below a big power head filter inside the aquarium. My nitrates are high and want to increase filtration. What are your thoughts?.
 

Tangs

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I do do partial water changes. I am getting out of the model railway hobby. I traded an old Amtrack Engine I got in the 80s for a recently purchased... made for a 70g tank aquarium filter and 5 zoos. Plus he added a good sized pump as a bonus. So I have increased filtration now. I really wanted cash but he was short of dough but could barter. I definately got the better deal but I do not feel too bad about it. When we made the exchange I realized it was the same guy (along with someone else) who did something nasty to me around 15 years ago. He has seen my aquarium in person and told him I am a MARSH member...hello Derick. Lol. I did offer him assistance with the engine if needed. Aetherns are easy to maintain and does work awesome.
 

soymilk

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easiest way to reduce nitrates is to do a water change.

if you want to add more biological filtration, maybe look into that porous filter media they sell. Looks like you're trying to add more mechanical filtration. Not sure if thats going to ultimately lower your nitrates. If stuff gets caught it and you don't change out media often, you could possibly add more nitrates.
 

Tangs

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I syphon the water from the bottom making water changes is a lot of work. I already have lave rock as media But I have been told that lava rock releases too much bad stuff into the water so going with sponges. I clean my sponges once between water changes. I have been told to use Sterilight products. I am waiting for confirmation before I purchase a particular Sterilight product to hold the sponges.
 

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Tangs

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The way I look at it any filter media including Lava rock will accumulate debris over time. Even with holes drilled at the bottom of the container debris will eventually build up. Big sponges are easy to get out rinse and clean. If no reply I am going with a container that is designed to hold food.
 

soymilk

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I'm not exactly sure what you're trying to accomplish. if you want to filter or polish the water you can use filter socks. this will clean the water column and remove floating particulates.

But if you're ultimately trying to reduce nitrate, then I'm not sure this will have any appreciable effect unless you clean out the filter sponges every 2-3 days.
 

Erin

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I syphon the water from the bottom making water changes is a lot of work. I already have lave rock as media But I have been told that lava rock releases too much bad stuff into the water so going with sponges. I clean my sponges once between water changes. I have been told to use Sterilight products. I am waiting for confirmation before I purchase a particular Sterilight product to hold the sponges.
There are many types of containers you can use; my *suggestion* about sterilite is from my own research and experience with an ATO container.
As for siphoning water from the bottom, you can always just put the hose into the top of the tank, right? (If you’re doing water changes to reduce nitrates… ?)
Ultimately, reducing what you add to the tank (i.e. food) and increasing natural nitrogen export (i.e. macro algae and beneficial bacteria) are what will keep your levels in check.
 

Tangs

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Can I use a Sterilite waste paper basket to hold my sponges. 21 litre 8c bucks. So cheap it really makes you wonder.
 

Erin

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Oh no. The water I syphon from the bottom is extremely dirty.
I meant, don’t stir up the dirty water, just do 20% (or so) water changes to replace the nitrate-heavy water with clean water.
 

Erin

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Can I use a Sterilite waste paper basket to hold my sponges. 21 litre 8c bucks. So cheap it really makes you wonder.
I’ve used one as an ATO container for over 6 years, so, yes.
 

Tangs

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I plan on doing a 10 percent water change this Saturday. Ya I know I should do more but this way I can keep 2 out of 3 power head filters working. I need this to help circulate the new water and further dissolve the new salt. The new power head filter will be turned off. It pushes water from the aquarium to the filter and do not want to destroy it. After 2 weeks I will do a nitrate test. 2 months from now I will do another and see if there is any reduction with new filter and Sterilite set up. Ya.
 

Tangs

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Cool all set and thanks to those who helped me out. Lol.
 

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Tangs

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Doesn't look too bad. I am hoping to improve my water quality so I can have a better variety of corals possibly.
 

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Tangs

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Well that is about as much as I can hide that big filter box. I just do not want fish hiding amongst all that live rock. If so.. then that pile will have to go. Just did a partial water change. Plus in o7 I got 3 more plugs installed back there. I never got around to repairing the dry wall damage so now I am. It usually looks nicer.
 

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