That's a neat idea. What would be the problem with using it without the filter? It seems the air in the tank is mixing with the air outside anyways, so why would having that extra filtering help?
Viv air exchanger, Clean filtered air.
With all this talk about air circulation...
Here is a viv air exchange system I have been working on.
Have used it for 4 + months in 2 vivs and it has worked great for me.
I will probably use it now on every new viv I do.
Helps keep the front viv glass fog free.... if you point the air outlet at the front glass.
It runs 24/7.
It borrows from the old reef tank trick of making an air filter from a mason jar.
For optimum air purity, you probably should change up the carbon every 4-6 weeks. And use top grade activated carbon.
The pics should be self explanatory.
Depending on the size of the aquarium air pump used, they put out up to a cubic foot of air every 10 - 15 min. or so. You can do the computations on how big your viv is vs. air turnover.
Only real tip is that you have to sand and clean w/ alcohol the mason jar lid hole area before you epoxy in the airline connectors for good epoxy adhesion... otherwise they don't glue up too well. Outside of that, it's real cheap, easy and effective.
I found that it doesn't dry out the vivs much either!
Note photo that show the air pump and air filter jars stuck in a closet near my set-ups. Its is easy to hide and only uses about 6 watts.
I just ran the airline tubing to the tanks and into them down along the background to exit the air near the substrate facing the front glass.
The tubing is real easy to hide.
Enjoy. Todd
Here is a viv air exchange system I have been working on.
Have used it for 4 + months in 2 vivs and it has worked great for me.
I will probably use it now on every new viv I do.
Helps keep the front viv glass fog free.... if you point the air outlet at the front glass.
It runs 24/7.
It borrows from the old reef tank trick of making an air filter from a mason jar.
For optimum air purity, you probably should change up the carbon every 4-6 weeks. And use top grade activated carbon.
The pics should be self explanatory.
Depending on the size of the aquarium air pump used, they put out up to a cubic foot of air every 10 - 15 min. or so. You can do the computations on how big your viv is vs. air turnover.
Only real tip is that you have to sand and clean w/ alcohol the mason jar lid hole area before you epoxy in the airline connectors for good epoxy adhesion... otherwise they don't glue up too well. Outside of that, it's real cheap, easy and effective.
I found that it doesn't dry out the vivs much either!
Note photo that show the air pump and air filter jars stuck in a closet near my set-ups. Its is easy to hide and only uses about 6 watts.
I just ran the airline tubing to the tanks and into them down along the background to exit the air near the substrate facing the front glass.
The tubing is real easy to hide.
Enjoy. Todd
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I have 3" computer fans blowing over the lighting above the tank.
But the top of the tank is about 80% covered in glass.
So some air I am sure deflects in, but not allot. Plus the fans go off night.
I don't have a mini fan in the vivs themselves.
I was going to do that if this didn't work out. But so far, this has been pretty darn good.
Yea, it would work fine without the air filter.
But it was so easy to make, why not just do it I figured.
My tanks are around the house and not in a separate frog room...
so, even though I am paranoid and careful, there are still VOCs and everyday household chemicals etc. I would feel better knowing they are getting removed from the air.
I know a lot of reef tank folks including myself that use these rigs on things like skimmer air intakes, etc. with great results.
And like I said, it is an easy 20 min. rainy day project that costs very little.
Especially since aquarium air pumps are so easy to come by.
Plus, if you have a small air pump(s) and want more air flow, you can just "t" two small pumps together.
I just snapped this pic when the lights came on today...
You can see the front glass free of fog from where the Air Exchanger blows onto it.
(Note: the viv front vents are blocked over in all my set-ups.)
After the lights have been on for an hour or so... the front glass is about 90 - 95% free of condensation and stays pretty much that way all day.
Works good and doesn't over-dry, even though it's on 24/7.
You can see the front glass free of fog from where the Air Exchanger blows onto it.
(Note: the viv front vents are blocked over in all my set-ups.)
After the lights have been on for an hour or so... the front glass is about 90 - 95% free of condensation and stays pretty much that way all day.
Works good and doesn't over-dry, even though it's on 24/7.
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Just an update on this because somebody was asking...
This aquarium air-pump set up has been going for almost a year and has proven very easy - & practically maintenance free!
I would recommend it for any small to mid-size viv.
Cheers!
Todd
This aquarium air-pump set up has been going for almost a year and has proven very easy - & practically maintenance free!
I would recommend it for any small to mid-size viv.
Cheers!
Todd
1 - 14 of 14 Posts
