5 Gallon tank build

[mr. limpid]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nano1714 http:///t/391862/5-gallon-tank-build/20#post_3477622
Quick question. Do I really need the activated carbon filter? With the amount of LR and LS I feel like I don't really need it. I also heard that it just builds up nitrates anyway.
It will remove organic, I say yes since it is a small tank without sump. It will release nitrates back into the water after the carbon is full so change it once a month and you should be fine.

 

[sweatervest13]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Limpid http:///t/391862/5-gallon-tank-build/40#post_3477625
It will remove organic, I say yes since it is a small tank without sump. It will release nitrates back into the water after the carbon is full so change it once a month and you should be fine.
+1
As long as you change the carbon regularly you will be good.
I heard that you can bake used carbon on a cookie sheet in the oven and reuse. Any truth to that??

I heard that the carbon soaks up stuff in the pores and baking it at a high temp will burn off what ever the carbon soaked up and presto new carbon. Either way. I have been saving up my used carbon and I will give it a shot.

 

[rickross23]

+1
As long as you change the carbon regularly you will be good. 
I heard that you can bake used carbon on a cookie sheet in the oven and reuse.  Any truth to that?? :%%: I heard that the carbon soaks up stuff in the pores and baking it at a high temp will burn off what ever the carbon soaked up and presto new carbon.  Either way.  I have been saving up my used carbon and I will give it a shot. 
Tell me your results on that.

 

[sweatervest13]

Quote:
Originally Posted by rickross23 http:///t/391862/5-gallon-tank-build/40#post_3477642
Tell me your results on that.
For sure. I still have a bunch of new stuff, so it may be a while before I need to try. Carbon can get expensive and IF it can be reused that saves a bunch of cake!!

 

[nano1714]

That's exactly why I asked! Thank you

 

[nano1714]

i got the lights, ill post some pics. Also i took a water test. Ph - 8.3 Ammonia - 0 Nitrite - 0 Nitrate - 10

 

[nano1714]

Lights, They can be mine for 25$ what do you think?

 

[rickross23]

GET EM.

 

[nano1714]

i think i am going to, and why are my nitrates high?

 

[rickross23]

Part of the cycle.

 

[nano1714]

thought so, when can i start to add a couple hermit crabs to get rid of this diatom build up? and my LFS has blue, red, and brown leg hermits, whats the difference?

 

[rickross23]

Nothing eats diatoms. You can either siphon them or they will go away eventually. I recommend snails over hermit crabs. Keep posting parameters here and we will tell you when to get your clean up crew.

 

[nano1714]

Sounds good, Thank you!

 

[nano1714]

found this guy a couple days ago.

 

[rickross23]

Bumblebee snail.

 

[nano1714]

is it good to have? what does it eat?

 

[rickross23]

I don't think they are good. They eat bristleworms, other snails, and other stuff.

 

[mr. limpid]

It doesn't look like a snail, does it have legs? If it a snail they are actually a good snail, they will eat detritus and left over food. They will eat off of rocks or burrow through the sand bed looking for food. They will only eat other snails or bristle worms if there isn't enough food for them. You could supplement them by placing small amount of food in front of them, only until you start getting fish in your tank.

 

[nano1714]

Yea, i think it is a snail. Its constantly eating though. I took another water test Ph 8.3 Ammonia and Nitrites are 0 but my nitrates went up to about 20ppm.

 

[meowzer]

It's a snail.....bumblebee....I have a few and they don't bother anything in my tank.....some people don't like...but they don't bother me...LOL