Yeah now experimenting on black + dark red coloured tile.

Better filtration than cannister & sump, is there any? 4 tier top filter, u have picture of it? If its too heavy then might be quite risky to put on top of aquarium hood / lid. For now, i'll stick to sump filter + weekly WC.

So as promised, i just snapped few pics of my aquarium base's third choice

(3) Black + Dark Red, smooth surfaced tile (still experimenting, so still didnt cut the tile in aquarium shape, yet). Images :







Current Observation :

3rd option seems to be the best by far, for few reasons :

a) Comfort. Its better than bare glass, which is too slippery for bichirs. Its proven for the 1st hour of observation, as both of my bichirs (Endi & Ornate) tend to choose more on tiled surface than glass.
b) Coloration. Dark and Red colour was said to boost most fish's colour, especially bottom dwellers like Bichirs. Thats why, white base is not good an option.
c) Looks. This option better than glass, in term of its colour and solidness. Solid-colour surface is way better than glass. It even reflects the moving currents of water in the tank (especially when the lights on). Very nice to see that

Is it because of algae or lumut? Its still slippery and shiny material, so i think wont collect much algaes, except the rough bottom side. Still need scratching job once a while, anyways

I have had enough experience with sands or soil substrate, later will use those white sands in turtle pond.

I guess the very long top filter one, right? Hows ur aquarium like? Do u plan to put the filter on top of the hood? I think the most fragile part is the glass itself. If it has enough thickness and firm frame, should be ok.

Wow.. 1st time i heard of this type of filtration system. The best in the world.. just by knowing that fact, makes me very happy indeed!
But.. dont u realize that the kind of filtration is supposed to cover a HUGE amount of water, as in a pond? (About 2000 gallons). Or maybe u intend to find a smaller filter set, but with the same filtration system.

So.. is bare base (glass surface) better than tile?

Ive never seen any, but thanks to give the idea anyway. Might consider for future projects

Have u tried the big pet shop in Ipoh, the one in the mall (sorry i forgot which mall).

I like the idea that it gives u crystal clear water condition, but personally i think that kind of filtration is too much hassle, and quite hard to maintain. Weekly filter pads change is acceptable, but if once everyday (or even every other day), then its probably not for me. Thanks for the video provided, it helps to grasp the whole idea.

New way of filtration for me, has its own pro and contra there. Its amazing how u 1st discover the idea

It was ur effort anyway. Have u tried other configurations? Like using filter pads looser than 0.5 microns?

Thanks. But i havent had the time for decent photography, just taking a few snaps by my phone. So here goes





Aragorn in action :



Endi special shot :

Honestly, i dont know that.. Thanks for the info. I will surely ask around and try to find out.

And oh, before i forget here are few things that i learnt from this tile project experience :

1) When choosing tiles, normal wall tiles are easier to cut and shape. Heavy duty tiles and slates (of sourse) are really a pain to cut in desirable design.
2) Many fishes are suitable with dark coloured base. They even feel more secure that way. So in many cases, the darker the better.
3) I think single tone colour tiles are better than those with certain patterns / shapes / drawings. They will provide more natural look in the base.
4) If ur tank can fit 2x2' tiles, go for it. It looks better and easier to maintain in future.
5) When cutting tiles, make it slightly bigger so u wont have large gaps between tiles. If they cant fit in the tank, u can slightly reduce the size by using carving / turner tool (kikir).
6) After done cutting, dont forget to turn the sharp edges by turner tool. U dont want to hurt ur hands (esp the tank dwellers, as well). Tile edges can be sharp sometimes, especially after being cut. Put gloves on as u work

Thanks.. (Err.. if u referring to my tank, that is.. lol)

My tank is 5x2x2, with wooden cabinet and hood. Comes with piping and sump tank. I used 4500/L per hour rotary pump. Overall shots :

Wah so cheap? I bought mine for rm2500, on 2008. Complete with filter tank, pump, piping, all the filter medias, installation (and after sales consultation). The store ordered the tank from KL. I understand they need to bear the shipping and labour cost, but the price so much different

Later i should consider custom made tank, worth every cents. But have to know all the parts function and scustomization.

If i'm not wrong, the glass only 10mm, the normal thickness.

I do WC the easy way, from hose to toilet, add the anti-chlorine (and salt, if needed) as the water flows in. If i do the manual pail to-and-fro conventional method, it would be a back-breaking experience LOL

If u dont hv much time to spend on WC, u can use a water pump attached with hose for the water out. Just put the pump into ur tank and on the switch. That way u can take the water out very fast. U can use another pipe hose for adding water in, simultaneously or one after another.

Good luck

Ur poly? Cant tell la.. The pic too blur to identify.. U hv carnivorous comm tank, bro?

Mind to share ur DIY filter? Should be interesting

Hehe.. pump up ur monster, bro. Endlies look nicer as they get bigger. Feed them various kind of foods. Both of my bichirs take feeder fish as staple, but alternately grasp superworms and leftover crickets if they can get to it. My Endli can feed on 5-10 fishes for one night (sometimes even more, if he was left starving for quite some time).

Frankenstein II the plump guy



He has the 'gator' look somehow



Shot with yellow light on.. Oh my he's fat



My ornate bichir hiding in resin trunk

I remember one night when he ravages on lots feeder fishes (i think more than 10 pcs), he became this fat :



BTW my ornate bichir still not that big, only about 8".



Monsters of the tank : RTG, Endli & Ornate

Sometimes price can be different even between same species and same size. Coloration, activeness, characteristics.. etc, u know, if u look thoroughly.

I bought my 8" Ornate for rm90. This guy has very special characteristics, i knew it the moment i saw him at the pet shop. Other smaller ornates was sold at rm70, just slightly smaller. But i knew my choice right away.

Ornates are more costly than Endlies (correct me if i'm wrong), thou Endlies can get way bigger than most other types of Bichirs.

My 2nd Endli, (named him Frankenstein II) bought @rm280 although slightly bigger than my 1st Endli, which i got for rm150. I noticed the 1st one was kept in a poor condition, small & bare tank. The colour so pale, can hardly see any markings on his body. Frankenstein II was another story. He was in great condition, being well-kept by his previous owner. He also has strong markings and good coloration. The owner even warned me about his enormous appetite, LOL. He's now about 13-14" in size.

Albino Bichirs has beautiful white-red colour, but they wont get very big in size, and also not as hardy as most bichir types.

Rope bichirs look a lot like snake. Long and thin body, looks very cool, but very much of escape artists. U must close ur aquarium almost all the time if u plan to own Ropes. Personally, i never tried them before. Maybe sometime in future

Senegal bichirs are one of the most active sp of bichirs. Most recommendable.

My 1st two Albino Bichirs (really missed them) :




A few choices from mudah.my

Senegal Bichir @rm30 http://www.mudah.my/Senegal+Bichir+9+inches-18978863.htm

Endlicheri @rm50 http://www.mudah.my/Fish-18691417.htm

Delhezi @rm50 http://www.mudah.my/Bichir+Poplypterus+Del...6878.htm?last=1

Lapradei @rm180 http://www.mudah.my/Wild+Polypterus+Bichir...ei-19086921.htm

Good luck

Dont worry bro, this hobby ALWAYS can wait, we have nothing to lose after all. Just hunt around if u get the time and chances. At the same time u can gather as much information as u can. Knowledge is power, as long as we know how to control our situation.

Thats quite a big container. But i think the real kick is in the weight it bears, as we're talking about top filtration. That filter of urs, is it heavy? I think plastic or fiberglass tanks can hold much weight but not for most aquariums. We might need another extra frame to bear the weight. Good idea anyway. Here's some other ideas from the net :

Tower filter :


Quite heavy for the aquarium hood :




A simple one










[COLOR=blue]Double pump interesting idea :





Good luck

This post has been edited by antzz: Nov 23 2012, 02:35 PM

Nice fish. Very clear water as well

Well for the 'makan x ingat dunia part' Me too i'm having the same situation with my bichirs (i used to have two big bichirs, remember). Those feeder fishes we usually bought from LFS, sometimes they give us very small fish. Those fish so small that they often too weak to avoid strong current, and end up dead stuck in the filter media. What i do is, separate the very small ones into my turtle tank (they make good algae eaters on the turtle shell too ) Even i dont feed them any special food, just leftovers of turtle food. But they still grow very fast Then only i catch them and put into predator's den.

Advantages are, u get more value for ur money. Reducing money loss from dead small fish. Save ur filter medias from dead bodies. Joy of fish growth monitoring, fun fish-catching sports, blah blah blah..

---

Added on November 24, 2012, 7:09 pmU can as well put other media types below the foams, as desired.

I think u may need more powerful pump, depending on the height of the tower.

Personally, i prefer one big hole than many small ones. Reason is easier to manage the noise and water flow. But thats maybe unique for me and my preference only

This post has been edited by antzz: Nov 24 2012, 07:09 PM

Nice job Really itchy to see it done, bro

The water is super clear. That kind of filter should be for drinking water lol.


U mean goliath tiger fish? Wont it be dangerous for us, like during WC?

U planning for any kind of pond?

BTW this one selling cheap from mudah.my http://www.mudah.my/Good+Brand+Top+Filter+4feet-19086910.htm





This post has been edited by antzz: Nov 25 2012, 08:09 PM

Yeah i totally understand that. For me, when i DIY things it has to be for 3 big reasons. SELF-CUSTOMIZATION (u can add or reduce anywhere to suit ur need), EXPERIENCE, and SATISFACTION. Cost-cutting is a mere side reason

Thats why i keep using sump tank filtration. Been using top filter and cannister before, but i think sump tank is the best by far (for my case, at least).

Built pond can be a good sight, but fiber/poly tanks are movable. Nowadays even can cover blue/white fibertank walls with slated brick walls, which resembles built pond look.

I just to a fren, a garden supply business owner. He can supply up to 11 feet fiberglass tank + long side glass, if i abandon the cement pond idea. About look, he recommended wood frames, as it is movable & got authentic look too (I'm thinking, i might ask for a wooden deck as well, but will cost a nuclear bomb to my pocket)

Do u know this guy Raymond Soon from Century Religious Supply? Been eyeing his products for years, but he's far in penang..

I totally understand this, i want this kinda tank as well! But we're gonna need a lot of space for this dream

This is the pic from his website. Today i saw it from their catalogue book as well. See fibre tank #13, sized 132x60x48 inches. He'll only order upon request. About the price tag, still dont ask him, cuz will only start project next year, after moving to new place

Here's his fb page. U can ask around, very frenly owner. He got supply from many other suppliers.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Harit...9921400?fref=ts

This post has been edited by antzz: Nov 26 2012, 09:28 PM