3 gallon Dwarf Seahorse Tank

[Mhamilton0911]

Big update:

Well I did a big water change, to try to get ahead of the green water. I also trimmed and removed a lot of the capulera that was algea covered. I wanted to add a bottle of pods but I thought a big clean before was better than after, so I don't suck up and remove the pods I just added.

Also saw the porcelain crab, he was hanging out on the air stone.

Before (last night)

After (this morning)

More cleaning to do on the sand bed, but it'll give the pods something to feast on.


And my male has been flirting and courting a couple females lately. And unfortunately had another floating egg this morning. Last time this happened there were multiple, and I was able to view one under a microscope. There was definitely a partially developed embryo last time, so it makes me wonder if the male is ejecting the eggs trying to mate again? Such a complicated breeding/mating.

Black dots by the egg are bbs shells that made it through. I usually remove them when I see them accumulate, but I didn't want to disturb the egg.

 

[Mhamilton0911]

So currently doing a gallon water change every couple days yet I'm still not getting anywhere on this green water situation. Hazy. Cloudy. Although the ponies don't seem to mind, I'm not finding it very attractive. And it makes it harder to count them all, or possibly see new ones.

So I've been brainstorming ideas and ways to incorporate a AIO type unit I can add. I still have this ultra tiny pump I used on the super mini tank. It works and it was pathetically weak so in my needs now should be perfect.

I've tracked down a print file that is designed in a way that either I can use as is or modify. I did the tube parts first to verify they'd work with the pump.

Currently printing the media basket part.

 

[Mhamilton0911]

Currently printing the housing top. Very cute little filter. Little media tray and space on top of that for foam. I plan on testing this with my single molly I couldn't sacrifice to the eel. I might change out the hard tube with clear hose I have in the same size. We'll see.

Regular sized shot glass for scale.

 

[Projects with Sam]

that printer will pay for itself in no time!

 

[Mhamilton0911]

that printer will pay for itself in no time!

I know. I love it. Even with running into issues, like this new filament, first printed like trash, and I did a quick research and fiddled with settings and its now printing perfect. Thankfully.

However, on my printer, when I first heat up, the fan is crazy noisy, until a few love taps, and it runs normal after. So I need to think about a fan replacement. Hubs thinks I should look into warranty, but I'm thinking I might do an upgraded one instead of a stock one anyway.

Fun for another day.

 

[tbrown]

Currently printing the housing top. Very cute little filter. Little media tray and space on top of that for foam. I plan on testing this with my single molly I couldn't sacrifice to the eel. I might change out the hard tube with clear hose I have in the same size. We'll see.

Regular sized shot glass for scale.

Is that "Transparent" PETG?

 

[tbrown]

I know. I love it. Even with running into issues, like this new filament, first printed like trash, and I did a quick research and fiddled with settings and its now printing perfect. Thankfully.

However, on my printer, when I first heat up, the fan is crazy noisy, until a few love taps, and it runs normal after. So I need to think about a fan replacement. Hubs thinks I should look into warranty, but I'm thinking I might do an upgraded one instead of a stock one anyway.

Fun for another day.

I put the fan wire on the other side of the Bowden tube and the noise went away. I think they have them tied so tightly together that it's causing some torque on the fan.

 

[Mhamilton0911]

Is that "Transparent" PETG?

Yes. First print with my regular settings looked like a big turd. Some adjustments and it's looking very nice. Apparently the hotter, the clearer, I'm at 245/80 now and no stringing.

 

[Mhamilton0911]

I put the fan wire on the other side of the Bowden tube and the noise went away. I think they have them tied so tightly together that it's causing some torque on the fan.

I'll have to open it and take a looksie.

 

[tbrown]

I'll have to open it and take a looksie.

Take the Bowden tube off and reroute it through the wires, it'll be easier that way?

 

[Mhamilton0911]

Ok, got the mighty mini in there. Definitely not too much flow, but certainly more than just bubbles from an air stone. Big question though is, will it just remove all the bbs from the water? Kinda need those. I'm thinking I'll swap the filter floss with more coarser foam so the pods and bbs can pass through the media? Also, thinking I should print at least the outer housing in blue petg.

 

[Projects with Sam]

 

[Mhamilton0911]

Ok, pony feeding time. @danieyella

Jar, just pulled from the air, everything still suspended together, basically hatched brine shrimp, egg shells and unhatched eggs.

This was a tip from Frank (lol), but use a flashlight on the bottom to concentrate the bbs.

I removed the airline and lid and I cover with a paper bag and let settle for 5-10 minutes.

After then, you can see they are concentrated better for removal. Most of the egg waste is at the top, but some is also on the bottom. So goal is to siphon about a 1/2 inch or so from the bottom in the dense group of bbs. Try to not disturb the vessel much or it'll mix up again.

I use a length of rigid airline and silicone airline for siphoning. And a plastic 4cup measuring cup.

First pull for me is cleaner without too many egg shells, so this goes to the ponies.

Pour thru a net and rinse slightly with rodi before feeding the ponies.

Second pull is a little dirtier, so this goes amongst all the tanks.

Then I clean and prep a new batch. New post for that.

 

[Mhamilton0911]

 

[Mhamilton0911]

So first I clean my jar, lid and rigid airline.

I found that for my desired salinity, 2tbsp of salt to 4 cups water gives me 1.020 salinity. I've read that is better for disease/bacteria resistance. So I found a 2 tbsp measuring spoon from my local restaurant store. Very handy. I use this salinity for both the tank itself and hatching the brine shrimp. Mix salt and pour into jar.


One big scoop of eggs, I'm using this type. I could still go denser and add another half scoop or so.


Then add lid and airline and since I'm hatching it in a cold area, im using a heated water bath. Ice cream container, 10w heater set at 80f, water until the heater is covered. Add air and light and in 24hrs more pony food.

 

[danieyella]

Thanks for this! Do you use an airstone or just open ended rigid tubing?

 

[tbrown]

I used to use open ended airline. I think the purpose is just water movement which either can accomplish.

 

[Nate Chalk]

I want one of these tanks so bad now. Ugh.

 

[danieyella]

I used to use open ended airline. I think the purpose is just water movement which either can accomplish.

I figured easier to keep clean and sterile that way as well. That was the recommendation for the pod and phyto setups I just put together.

 

[Nate Chalk]

I figured easier to keep clean and sterile that way as well. That was the recommendation for the pod and phyto setups I just put together.

I failed photo twice.... wish I could succeed. Interested how urs goes