Now THIS is a cool idea...

[NeveSSL]

Ok, so, I was talking to Thomas about this the other day and decided to talk about it in here, too.

I think this is an awesome idea and one that has definitely piqued my interest. This comes from the tank of the month, and this guy obviously isn't hurting for money, but I still think this concept could be used on a smaller scale. I'll just copy and paste.

Unlike most systems that receive occasional, substantial water changes, I choose to do continuous water changes. This replenishes all of the important trace elements without shocking the system the way large water changes do. I change five and one-half gallons a day with the use of a Spectrum Litermeter III pump with two remote pumps. Five and one-half gallons of premixed saltwater are pumped into the sump of the system, spread out over a 24-hour period. One and one-half gallons are removed by the skimmer each day, and four gallons are pumped out of the tank. This happens every day. Instead of just pumping those four gallons of tank water into the drain, I have them routed into a separate aquarium that I maintain. From that second aquarium, four gallons are pumped out and go straight to the drain. Using the water removed from the main aquarium to feed the second aquarium lets me maintain perfect water quality in the second aquarium without using any filtration, since the water feeding it is being cleaned by all the filtration equipment in the main tank. However, unlike simply connecting the two systems in a traditional manner, this keeps the second system from being able to affect the main system (pests, water quality, etc.).

This is just too cool! I'm wondering how well it might work on a smaller scale. I'm thinking it could potentially work really well.

If nothing else, this would seem to me to be the perfect QT tank solution. When your fish is finally QTd for long enough, you won't have to acclimate them again as it will be the same water, but there's almost no way for any parasites to get into the main system! Cool stuff! :thumbsup:

What do you all think?

Brandon

 

[james3370]

yeah like i need more stuff to "integrate" into my build LOL

but yeah...good ideas

 

[poolkeeper1]

Wow thay guy must be more anal then I am about his tanks! That being said It's a fine idea if you don't mind doing it every day but I suspect it would get old real quick. IMO Stability = Sucess so It would work real well I guess.

 

[NeveSSL]

I don't think you have to do it everyday. Its all automated. Keep a vat (yes, I said vat) of saltwater that you add to once a week or less, depending on how big your vat is.

Its definitely something to consider for later, methinks.

Brandon

 

[ocd_mariner]

I bet a vat would look awesome in your living room brandon

Pretty cool idea, I need a fish room and a better job, though, I think.

 

[NeveSSL]

Julie would be all over it. I'll just tell her we're doing gothic instead of her bohemian style.

BTW Chuck, for some reason that reminds me of the first time you came over and I ducked behind the tank to put the chaeto you brought me into the tank... you thought I had disappeared! :lol: I wish I could have seen your face when that happened...

Brandon