Questions about creating a touch tank

Feb 22, 2010
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#1
Beautiful site :)

We (beginners) are interested in building a shallow tank with a large exposed water surface. The purpose is to maintain local (Texas) stream invertebrates and small fish. Water scorpions, giant water bugs, mussels, etc. Most creatures will be kept temporarily and re-released.

The vision is to have water current to create a stream-like environment. Some aquatic moss kept to harbor micro-crustaceans and other invertebrates.

I am thinking 24 x 36 x 8" deep (about 30 gallons) with a chilller. Thicker than usual acrylic to allow elbow "leaning" and working with the critters. Maybe a leaning rail of some sort that does not overhang the water?

May I ask for any advice on this sort of setup. Thanks.
 

exhumed07

Superstar Fish
Apr 30, 2006
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#2
u building an exibit? lol

I'd like to help u but I'm at a loss here besides with the current. u might be able to use some kind of water pump like one I've used to pump water out of a waterbed. have an inlet on one end of the tank and an outlet on the other end to make the current. it would be a gentle current. in the streams around my house average about 1/2 an inch deep at about 2-4 feet wide and some spots that are near 4 feet deep. so from what I experiance in the creeks I would think a small amount of current would be good for what ur wanting to do. be flowing naturally but not disrupt the waters surface and wouldn't disrupt the substrate to much.

hope I helped give u some ideas.
 

Feb 22, 2010
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#3
Thanks for your help!

Its for home use. Phoebe (my wife) and I are naturalists. We always bring wild creatures in. Our friends and family enjoy seeing what we have (as temporary visitors).

I like your pic. We have a population of small (1-3") spotted sunfish in a stream just outside. Had one in last year. I am assuming it would benefit from a water cooler.

Your ideas are really helpful. Here are a few more questions for anyone that might have some suggestions. Thanks again.

What about a powerhead to create gentle current. Do you think it will work?

Is it possible to keep sand clean in this sort of setup?

Is a skimmer filter the best choice?
 

exhumed07

Superstar Fish
Apr 30, 2006
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#4
sand would stay clean I would think but if there is any rock or other current breaks food and poo may collect in those areas and if u use a pump best to use something to cover the intake or the sand will get sucked in and ruin the impellar. most are like a rubber water wheel that fits tight in the houseing and the sand will rip apart the rubber plettes.

as for a powerhead that may work. I've never used one so I'm not 100% sure on how they move water in a small space.

oh and interesting name for ur wife. I've heard bird names used before but never that one. I get phoebes nesting under my deck and above my kitchen windows every summer.
 

Feb 27, 2009
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#5
What about a powerhead to create gentle current. Do you think it will work?

Is it possible to keep sand clean in this sort of setup?

Is a skimmer filter the best choice?
If you want to create water movement, then a powerhead would be perfect. Look for one called a 'sweep' that move back and forth to prevent stagnant areas.

If you are wanting to create a current that simulates a stream, you'll need a powerhead at each end of the tank, and one end will return water to the other end (can be done with PVC pipes under the substrate).

You can gently siphon off uneaten food and waste from sand, just use small airline tubing. I use the standard airline tubing attached to a 2ft rigid piece the same diameter, which makes it easy to direct where you want to siphon without getting you all wet.

If by a skimmer, you mean a protein skimmer, you should't need one for a freshwater tank.
 

Feb 22, 2010
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#6
Really helpful, thanks. By skimmer, I thought it could serve as a filter for the water. I haven't used one either. If the tank wall is 10" high with 2" of substrate and 6" of water, what sort of filtration would be best?

I assume if I want good current I will need both a water mover (power head) and a separate filter. Hmm... we are also looking at a water cooler too.

Phoebes appreciated the compliment. She's actually a bird watcher and keeps a life list :)
 

Feb 27, 2009
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#7
what sort of filtration would be best?
You could use a powerhead to drive a small sponge filter.

Let me email a friend of mine that does a river-tank with darters. They like a lot of current and she has a one-way current to simulate a stream. I'll post what she suggests here to see if it would work for you.
 

exhumed07

Superstar Fish
Apr 30, 2006
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#10
I would say run power head on one end of the tank leading to an intake for a canister filter on the other end, and then run the outflow of the filter to the end of the tank with the powerhead.
 

Feb 22, 2010
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#11
What a great solution. Thanks for the link. I will definately draw up a plan for the side mount whirlpool approach.

Regarding a canister filter in the loop, can you help me understand it a bit better? I am a little confused about filter intake and outflow position related to the powerhead(s).

Are you saying the intake of one of the two powerheads (at the lift tube end) is the place to add the filter? The pic shows what I think you are saying.


 

Feb 22, 2010
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#12
May I ask your opinion about...

(1) the 2 heads being used to create crossflow in the tank as they are

(2) waterflow through the cannister filter and cooler, one after the other.

Thanks for your help.
 

exhumed07

Superstar Fish
Apr 30, 2006
1,774
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Illinois
#13
I think the way u got this drawn up with the flow going from corner to corner may not work. I think u will need to run 2 heads one direction on one side and the other direction on the other side of the tank. at least thats what it looks like to me
 

Feb 22, 2010
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#14
Ok. I was trying to keep the heads on the same side. So then I would put the bottom left head to the top left so that it is creating current straight across the tank? that would be an easy enough fix.

Can't create an opposite current on along the bottom edge since those ends of the power head openings are going to the filter and the cooler. Do you think flow across the top would be better than diagonal being I can't get the circular flow orangecones suggested :)