Filtration/water circulation DART FROG question

[tHOmas77]

Hi everyone, Im new to the forum here and im looking to start a new vivarium with my old reef tank from a few years back.

The Reef Tank is 55 gallons and has the bio-balls in the back of the tank, seperated from the front of the tank by a piece of black sealed acrylic. I also have a Rio 1700 Pump in the back that pumps out water to the front from a two pronged outflow spigot.

I was hoping someone could help me and let me know if its possible that the bio balls can be used as a filtration method, and possible replace the head piece for the spigot to create a type of waterfall.

I'm looking to put some dart frogs in the tank once planting and construction is complete.

I PROMISE I'LL HAVE PICTURES ONCE THE CONSTRUCTION PROCESS BEGINS!!!

Thanks for the help.

T-HO

[Jason]

Bio balls are a good way of adding Biological filtration to any tank, but what about Mechanical and Chemical filtration?

[tHOmas77]

mechanical and chemical filtration...

what do you recommend? I'm sure Dart Frogs require quite a bit of filtration to keep the water very clean because i know they are delicate little creatures. Let me know if you have any recommendations as far as other means of filtration, OR if you think bio balls would be good enough as long as the water keeps good circulation throughout.

I do remember that i had a type of cloth pad that sat on top of the bio balls so the water would filter through that then through the bio balls and get pumped back into the tank. It worked great for over 2 years with my reef tank, and i never ran into problems with not having enough filtration or having a "dirty" tank.

Thanks for the quick response!!

[mh32]

The cloth pad on your bio balls would be considered mechanical filtration. Basically it catches the larger particles (solid impurities). It was probably just filter fiber, it's very inexpensive and can be found at any pet supply store.

Your chemical filtration would be something like charcoal or activated carbon. This is especially important with animals who spend a lot of time in the water more importantly animals that defecate in the water because it absorbs harmful chemicals (liquid impurities).

That being said, from what I know, not many PDF's spend a lot of time in the water so putting a lot of time and money into filtration could be overkill.

[tHOmas77]

If i have a Rio 1700 pumping water from the bio balls in the back of my tank to the tank itself, does it make sense that i should get a similar pump (same GallonPerHour average) that pumps water from INSIDE the tank to the back of the tank where the bio-balls are located?

I just want to make sure that I can keep one area (small) partially water, and the rest of it land without having tides or overflow causing more of a "bog" to occur. I'm making sure I don't get myself into a situation with stagnant water!

Thanks for the quick reply!

PICS COMING SOON!

[Jason]

Well i think we should ask about your total system volume of water, and how deep the pool / pond area will be, PDF's cant swim. Even though they will not be doing laps in the pond area i always like to think of filtration as a part of the old addage " you are what you eat " but in this case drink, tis why we gut load crickets . imho all tanks that have a water feature should have M.C.B filtration and this does not have to be expensive at all, you can DIY your own for maybe 20$ and run all 3 types off the pump you already have, it just takes some planing to get it right. Containers can be found at any dollar store ( cereal containers ) and a couple lengths of tubing. pick up some activated carbon and some filter floss and your in business. If you like i can find some good links or explain the DIY aspect further if interested.

[tHOmas77]

please do that! I thought myself that it was worth it to get all the types of filtration...but with mechanical/biological already good im thinking how i can get some activated carbon through possibly a stingray elite type filter that is also submersed?...

if PDF's cant swim i might just make a waterfall into a small river bed type setup...just so the water is shallow and i dont worry about them drowning.



thanks!

[RudeReefer]

I would get new bio balls, and toss the old ones if you decide to keep them. They might leak salt into your PDF water system... also the silicone in your aquarium may do the same.