Malta Aquarist Society

jtheuma:

hopefully the water in the storage tanks will be heated(gaining heat from the fishroom under it) and I'm going to use it for water changes. Now while the water level is decreasing (because I'm filling the tanks) new colder water is coming in the storage tank. So there the temperature is going to decrease by a few degrees, plus that the new water will have chlorine and chloramine. 

I agree with you Jon. & I wouldn't add new water while doing water changes, but I would add it as soon as you finish. Keep up the good work Jon. & this thread is very interesting & full of ideas for others who are still planning their fish room.

You can solve the problem of the tank being filled with new water whilst doing the water changes Giann. You should make a ball valve that allows you to easily close it from the main mains so that when you are effecting water changes new water will not flow into your tank as the valve will be closed. After you're ready from all the water changes, you can open the valve and new water will flow to your holding tanks........... What about it Giann ???

martin

In other words I don't need to install a ball valve as I'm going to open and close the main tap to fill the water storage tanks. Am I understanding right?

I'm not that technical, but I think that you need something, so you'll know when the tank is full.

 I think Martin suggested a ball valve because it's easier to open and close then the main valve. To check that the tank is full or empty you need to 'invent' something else.  Like a floating stick , when the tank is empty it will go down when you fill the tank it will go up with the water level , just to give you an idea

 Hi jtheuma.

 To check the water level in a tank this reliable method is used, see the figure below :

       Front elevation

Side view

The item show in blue is the tank, then a elbow is made at about 5cm from the bottom. To the elbow one connects a transparent pipe, where inside one can put a float for better visibility of the actual level in the tank. The level of the water in the transparent pipe will be exactly the same as the water level in the main tank.

Very good idea Charlon. It's not difficult to make & very usefull with the type of tank that Jonathan is going to make.

 That's what I had in mind Charlon but your idea is obviously better. 

 Yes Giann you would not need a floater to close the water for you ( bhal tal flushings ) but you have to close it yourself before you start the water changes and open it again when the water changes are ready. Yes you would know if the holding tank is full or not by Charlon's idea. The same idea is used by the bowser man to see the water level of his water bowser .

martin

How is your project coming Giann ??? Any development jew ???

martin

Sorry I havnt enter this for a long time. Had lost hope that Jonathan would ever finish this fishroom When we put the fish Gan? 

Re: last problem. 

I think that you want something that the tank will fill up when you want and once its full it will stop filling.

Then you will take the water (after probably you will leave it for a while to mature and chlorine evaporates)

The tank will not start filling again untill when you want (when you see that it is empty from the meter Charlon told you)

Did I understand right?

I might sound a bit of pain in somewhere, but at this point I think you should put in mind the insulation of the room. The roof should be a good insulator.

What you have in mind Gan?

 I think Jonathan should purchase/burrow a digital thermometer and take some readings during these cold months especially.  This way he can monitor the situtation inside the fishroom.  Being a semi-basement garage the temp should (in my opinion) be quiet stable.  Not like having a room in a yard or on the roof for instance.  I can lend you one if you want. 

I went twice to the garage at about 6.30am when the weather was cold. The temperature inside the fishroom was 18 degrees celsius. Now I filled an aquarium with water and the temperature is 15 degrees celsius, taking in consideration I don't have any insulation and that on top of the fishroom there's a yard. This is a bit of a disadvantage for heat loss.

I need some ideas regards insulating the room, ceiling and floors. Charlie already gave me rubber mats for the floor. I'll have to check if they can go under the floor tiles. I will also insulate the garage door if possible.

I would insulate all the 4 walls & the ceiling with "jablo". I think that the rubber mats are placed on top of the tiles & not under.

15 Deg.Cel. without insulation is quite normal & you don't have to worry much. As long as you have a fridge & some , you'll find plenty of help.