I've started my tubefuge project, after discovering that my
Nitrates were through the roof (at least 160ppm because that's as high as my test measures) Doing the Waterchange route too, but really needed to get begun on this.
I would have loved to install a RDSB (like Anthony C recommends) but didn't have the space available to me (OK, the wife said that I couldn't just set a bucket by the tank). Anyhow, I decided to double deck the tubefuge and RDSB by making my tubefuge BIG! I was going to go 6"
pvc up to 24" and then down to 4" for the
fuge up to 54". but when I got to the plumbing store, I found that the 6" wouldn't fit behind the tank, so all 4".
The bottom 18" will be sand, with the water inlet tube going down to 1" ABOVE the sandbed. Rock will fill the rest. I really looked at using the coil denitrefier tubing style, but felt it would be difficult to fit it properly.
My decisions:
1 - bring
nitrates down
2 - keep wife happy
3 - have tubefuge sit on floor to avoid undo stress of hanging
4 - fit in narrow space behind tank
5 - make it look good in the area that tank is (see item #2)
To do this I picked up:
1 - 5' 4"
pvc
1 - 4" tee
1 - 4" - 2" bushing
1 - 2" street ell 90
2 - flat screw caps for 4" clean outs
1 - outer fitting 4" clean out for bottom (so it would sit flat)
1 - slip in 4" clean out for top of tee (to be able to get in to the thing)
2 - 4" j-hook pipe supports
10' 5/8" polypropelm tubing to go from small rio pump through 2" 90 to bottom of
live rock)
1 - Rustoleum spray paint for plastic in brown to match molding
1 - 50# play sand (I know I'll have some left over)
rubble rock
I have pictures, will post them soon, the paint is drying right now - but it may take a while out side at 32 degrees, I think I'll go bring it in...
BTW, Brooklyn, MICHIGAN - if you're a NASCAR fan you've heard of it.
more later!
Kelly
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