New grow out system

[David M]

Hey spk, before you build that thing will you be buying media or getting it cheap/ free? The reason I ask is that if I were starting from scratch I think you get more bang for your buck using Matala/ Aquamesh rather than the bioballs, I just bought a 24 X 39" sheet at lfs for $28. If I was going to build a wet/dry and use that I would make the enclosere 24 X 20 so half a sheet fit perfectly. Then stack them as high as I could afford to go. I'd build it taller than I thought I needed to start and then add sheets as I could afford them. Just a thought, I don't know for sure which has greater surface area in a given volume but I'm thinking the Matala does.

 

[spk]

David,

Great thanks for the information, but I have a large amount of bioball that I managed to get for a fiver. I have 3 25kg sacks full of the stuff.

I plan on using 25l plastick container stuck together to make a tall opaque cylinder. Full that full of bio balls and then trickle the water through, plus have a ring of air blowing in the bottom.

It could act as a cooling tower too, I hope

Will let you know how I get on.

Steve

 

[David M]

Yea, I've got more balls than anyone in town so I gotta use 'em

 

[aomont]

Hi David,
Is this what you are talking about ?

http://www.pentairaquatics.com/2005/2005_detail/Aquamesh.htm

Anderson.

 

[spk]

David,

Perhaps you could layer it too. That way you get the air mix in there too.

Steve

 

[David M]

Yes that's the stuff, also sold by AES under the brand name Matala. It's big in pond filters, I figured I'd give it a try.

 

[mano]

Hey David,

I use the matala in my seahorse system sump to help keep the bioballs contained, but still allow for good water flow. They should work well in your system too. The only down side is that they are a little pricey.

They also provide a great surface for my amphipod culture and makes it easy to harvest them.

Good luck with the new system!

Christine

 

[spk]

Christine,

Tell us a little more. Do you grow the pods where the bio ball are?

Thanks

Steve

 

[David M]

I know I've mentioned this before and others have tried it as well but in case it's forgotten indoor/ otdoor carpet is a great pod substrate and you can cut it into strips easy to transfer from culture tank to wherever. I can see how the Matal would work well too, maybe cut into cubes and just shake them off into the tank to be fed?

 

[mwp]

Any new pics now that the system is running?

Matt

 

[David M]

No sorry, I'm pretty lazy about the picture taking/ posting. Some day I suppose...