ibc breeding program

[daimen]

Hi guys tell me if this is a crazy idea. I have 6 IBCs at home. If you don't know what an IBC is it is 1m×1m×1m plastic tube. I have them in my insulated garage. Would it be too crazy to attempt breeding in them?

[Squiggle]

It's definitely doable if you want to do cherries & it has been done before but I wouldn't recommend doing it with Caridina sp. it's is possible but a whole lot harder. :encouragement:

[daimen]

That's what I'm thinking for filtration. They are 48L plastic storage containers. Any thoughts?

[Squiggle]

I'd be careful the lava rock doesn't affect the WP & I'm pretty sure the bricks will have an effect on your WP, I'd be more inclined to used something like marine pure, matrix or something inert, I haven't had any experience with lava rock so maybe someone who has could shed some light on whether it is suitable or not. Otherwise, the filtration looks pretty cool. :encouragement:

[Squiggle]

Also, I'd be careful the heater doesn't melt through the plastic, might want to put it in a glass dish or jar.

[daimen]

The bricks are just to keep the filter Floss off the bottom so the water can flow easily. I could use something else. Any suggestions. Is there another cheap bio media? I could use bio balls but I don't really like them.

[2OFUS]

Have you thought about adding a Perspex section for viewing ??

[daimen]

No I haven't but I'm a little scared too because then I would need to make sure my seals are good.

[2OFUS]

Screws and a lot of silicon :)

[daimen]

I have 6 of them so maybe I might give it a shot in one of them

[daimen]

The red lava rocks are actually called scoria I just looked it up. I have read online that lots of people are using it for bio filtration. But would terracotta do the job also?

[Squiggle]

It would but lava rock is more porous & therefore has a lot more surface area for bacteria to grow on. :encouragement:

[daimen]

Ok I'm going to make a journal when I start hopefully someone can make use of my budget sump

[Squiggle]

Great idea dude, can't wait to read it! :encouragement:

[smicko]

Hi mate, Scoria is awesome filter media.

I was using 40 kilos in a sump that was running 30 4ft African tanks with heavy feeding, never had a spike in nitrate, nitrite or ammonia.

I was adding rift lake salts to raise Kh gh so I am unsure as to whether it would change wp.

The bricks will definitely affect wp, you could cut up a plastic pallet and use pieces of that instead of bricks.

Cheers mick

[daimen]

Do you rinse the scoria off first or just chuck it in. I was thinking just to treat it like substrate

[petfish]

you need to wash it well as it is very dusty

[petfish]

you could use the plastic stand's they use to hold reo up when poring a slab of concrete (can't remember the name of them)instead of brick's

[Shrimp Aqua]

you could use the plastic stand's they use to hold reo up when poring a slab of concrete (can't remember the name of them)instead of brick's

These are called chairs, i would just cut some PVC pipe into the lengths required and lay them across the bottom of sump.

[BristledOne]

Scoria should be washed before use, the dust has no positive effects. Same goes with expanded clay and perlite, all can be used as a hydroponic grow medium or a filter medium and are recommended to be washed first.

[Aquathumb]

I have about 8 litres of Scora/lava rock in my sump. I washed it thoroughly and then boiled it for 2 hours as it was used for a cichlid setup before I got it and I wanted to make sure it was clean and free of any nasties. Now that it is, it has been working great!