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Post by smythley on Jun 16, 2014 19:37:25 GMT -5
After reading mytoyz and Tyler's threads on home storage tanks, I started thinking about building my own.
Rounded up a 300 gallon tote bin, a couple Danner pumps (a 700 and a 950, and a ton of fittings and pipes and got started. I used the dual filter setup like Tyler's, with pea gravel and filter material in the top bin and the drain in the lower.
I used the 950 to run the filtration system.
For circulation and aeration,I've got the 750 set up near the bottom 1/3 of the tank,and it seems to be working. Struggling with the venturi setup, it works great with the irrigation fitting above water, but if its below water, it sucks water, since I don't have an air tight seal between it and the air line. I think with some silicon it'll work fine.
Will post some pics shortly. If you have questions/comments/suggestions, feel free to share them.
I put 15 big gizzards in it on Sunday evening, and lost 4 overnight. Some of the baits looked pretty rough when they went in, so I'm hoping that was it. The water is awfully cloudy today, but I'm hoping it will clear up some whenever the biofilter builds up.
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Post by smythley on Jun 16, 2014 19:39:25 GMT -5
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Post by smythley on Jun 16, 2014 19:39:38 GMT -5
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Post by smythley on Jun 16, 2014 19:40:17 GMT -5
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BentRod
Global Moderator
Posts: 2,252
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Post by BentRod on Jun 17, 2014 6:04:29 GMT -5
Looking good! Keep putting bait in there all summer even if they die and by September you'll be in good shape with your biofilter. You do have to "backwash" the bio filter on occasion to clean the bio material. I clean mine once a week on heavy loads and my water will clear up in 12hrs. I have about 12 big shad in mine now still. My water was only 73deg on Sunday..literally haven't changed any water or touched the filter since April. It's just doing its thing.
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Post by smythley on Jun 17, 2014 16:44:19 GMT -5
Tyler,
How long was it before you could get bait to live? Few weeks?
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Post by mwardncsu on Jun 17, 2014 17:00:09 GMT -5
You mean after we worked through a few issues like the return pipe swinging down, dropping below the water line and causing the tank to overflow and pump 165 of 170 gals out of the tank  |
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Post by smythley on Jun 17, 2014 21:39:29 GMT -5
Ouch! Maybe that's what I need to do. The water in it is super cloudy. Every once in awhile, I'll see a couple baits swim by, but the water looks terrible.
As a heads up to anyone trying to build one of these....I don't care how many lists you make, or how well you plan it out, you will make 237 trips to the hardware store for just one more fitting or bushing or coupling. It is maddening.
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Post by mwardncsu on Jun 17, 2014 23:15:42 GMT -5
What's your water temp? Did you flush your pea gravel real good before putting in the filter? How many baits do you have in there (and what types)? I'd by try and go with very many trying to get it started this time of year with the high temps.
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Post by smythley on Jun 18, 2014 5:50:33 GMT -5
Water temp yesterday afternoon was about 75. May have been too cool when I put the bait in though.
I started with 15 good size gizzards, didn't want to overload it. I rinsed the gravel a couple times, since it was full of sand.
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Post by mwardncsu on Jun 18, 2014 5:56:39 GMT -5
Best thing is to probably let it be - takes a couple of weeks for the bio cycle to set up. Consider the first sets of bait as sacrificial to the greater good.
Do you have any added aeration (air stones, pump with Venturi, etc?).
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Post by thunderstick on Jun 19, 2014 3:36:01 GMT -5
you can go to your local pet store and get aquarium stuff.... start right has the bacteria u need to get it started, and stress coat takes out chlorine,coats fish....
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Post by smythley on Jun 19, 2014 12:46:26 GMT -5
I am struggling with the venturi, works great just under water, but once the assembly is submerged its sucking water somewhere. I've sealed and caulked and can't find where. Think I'm buying an air pump and stone today. How big a stone? Bigger is better,right?
Anything I can do to clear the water up, other than a water change?
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piper
New Member
Posts: 727 
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Post by piper on Jun 19, 2014 20:12:30 GMT -5
I am struggling with the venturi, works great just under water, but once the assembly is submerged its sucking water somewhere. I've sealed and caulked and can't find where. Think I'm buying an air pump and stone today. How big a stone? Bigger is better,right? Anything I can do to clear the water up, other than a water change? Brother I think you just need to give the water some time as has been mentioned. This is probably one of the toughest times of year to get something like that going. Just be patient with it. As far as the venturi. Is this a homemade setup or one you purchased. Pics would help. |
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Post by striperjohn on Jun 19, 2014 20:37:13 GMT -5
If you can get a layer of charcoal in your filtration system it will clear your water up quickly, a matter of hours if you have a good flow through it. Try using it to get your water clear while your bacteria is growing. Once it takes over you can eliminate the charcoal.
Sent from my SCH-R760 using proboards
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