Project Quiet River Shrimp Rack

[cheetf]

Sorry for the lack of updates!

The rack had been running in over the last 2 weeks and nothing really exciting happened. Will share some pictures later

I just installed the chiller onto the new rack last night and it took 2.5 hours to cool it from 26.2 to 25.2 degrees. However, the strange thing was, after the chiller stopped, temperature continued to fall slowly over the next 1 hour, all the way to 24.7 degrees. Most likely, the water volume and the partitions in the tanks causes water to mix very slowly, which was why even an arctica chiller cannot sense the correct temperature quickly enough.

Best part? It took all night (6+ hours!) for the temperature to climb back to 25.2! The chiller will only kick in again at 25.7 (0.5 degrees above set point), so looks like it'll actually swing between 24.7 and 25.7 although I've set it to cut off at 25.2 (don't know why i set at this odd number, I just got tired of waiting when it was stuck at 25.2 after more than 2 hours).

What was the ambient temperature at that time?

[cheetf]

Double post sorry

[Navanod]

I didn't note the ambient last night. It was rather warm but turned very chilly halfway through the night, which may explain why the tank didn't warm up much at all

[cheetf]

Yah, now might not be the best time to test tank temperatures of around 25-26C.

[cheetf]

Bro, how's the progress?

[Navanod]

Messy bro. Not even worth taking photos to post.
Just finished migrating everything over but realized that the flow rate is not enough even with the powerhead at full power.
Adding 2 canisters to the setup now.
The partitions are also somehow still letting shrimplets sneak through. I think I'll have to make some really quality partitions before they all end up in the sump.

[cheetf]

Shrimplets are like little Houdinis hahaha. You need something that can stop an egg. Because if a stray egg gets through, there is still a possibility of it hatching. Problem with that is that it will clog easily.

[Navanod]

Shrimplets are like little Houdinis hahaha. You need something that can stop an egg. Because if a stray egg gets through, there is still a possibility of it hatching. Problem with that is that it will clog easily.

Haha, bro, lets worry about the shrimplets first. I'll tell you whats Houdinis. Yamato shrimps. The fella had been "touring" my entire tank from partition to partitions.
I think the fella is simply climbing over the partitions since they can move pretty well outside of water.

Ok, I promise to take some picture by this week. Had been neglecting to update this thread

[cheetf]

Yah yamatos can climb everywhere. Do take note that it could be a sign that they do not like the water conditions.

[Neondagger]

Bro sorry to hear that. I think the most terrible thing about a nice rack. is dat after set up, got loopholes. Hope you find a way to stop it. I found some plastic mesh in a DIY shop at marina square but forgot to take photo. If i pass by there will take a look again.

[stormhawk]

There must be a hole or gap somewhere in your partitions, that is allowing the shrimplets to move freely from one partition to the next. The only way you can fix it is by removing the mesh pieces altogether, and using a firm fine/coarse sponge, cut nicely and fits snugly in the bottom section. Use the SS mesh for the upper section to cover the overflow from partition to partition. To prevent climbers you can create a short piece over the edge of the tanks, placed width-wise. Basically from the front the top section will look like a T. I made a crappy MS Paint image to illustrate what I mean:



The green diagonal marks refers to the glass divider pieces that have been siliconed in spot. The triangular T-piece is a cheap tank divider support. You just lay the mesh over the T pieces on both ends of the glass divider piece and voila, instant climber block. The grey section is your SS mesh at the top to allow water to flow past.

The sponges when fitted in place of the SS mesh, will act as a biological filter as well.

[Navanod]

Yes. I believe theres no avoiding silicon now. Need to seriously plug the loopholes before more shrimps migrate to the sump

[stormhawk]

There's another method that betta keepers in the US and elsewhere use. It might be worthwhile for you. I tried it before and it works. Basically silicone 2 small plastic binder edges at either side of the glass that needs to be partitioned, then fit in a piece of plastic canvas or in your case, SS mesh. So you don't have to fiddle with sponges at the sides, which will move over time unless held in place.

[stormhawk]

On the bottom piece:



You need to cut a groove on the sponge piece (red) so that it fits the bottom end of the glass better. Give some allowance for warping. The brown gunk on either side of the sponge, is your soil or gravel.

[Navanod]

Thank you so much for all the advice. Alot of effort!
Thing is, need to also have sponge on the other 3 sides. It needs to be a "window frame" of sponge with the mesh in the middle. I suspect they're squeezing through the sides, where the uneven silicon of the partition glass causes small gaps in the sponge

[bai]

Maybe the shrimplets swim through from the side gap....Hope to see your updates soon.

[Navanod]

Maybe the shrimplets swim through from the side gap....Hope to see your updates soon.

Or squeeze through the tiny gap between the top of the mesh and the glass. I think that side needs to be sealed with sponge too

[stormhawk]

I think the window frame layout might be unfeasible Nav. You can probably use a very hard type of sponge with a slit cut in to fit in the mesh. Basically the sponge forms a rectangular frame and the mesh enters the sponge via the slit. Best to cut this from the bottom and end somewhere just below the groove at the top, or else the groove part can split apart. I find it easier just to use one whole sponge and skip the SS mesh altogether. That way, no chance of escape for the shrimplets via the bottom. Besides, if it clogs up just take out and rinse if your setup is soil-less.

[Navanod]

The 100% sponge method will choke very quickly. A few bros actually pm'ed me to warn me. Hahaha

[stormhawk]

In that case, you'd have to modify the whole sponge method with the slit for the SS mesh as I mentioned. If the mesh is kept flat it should work perfectly.