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So, I have a 29 gallon, have suddenly gotten the pico bug for some reason, and was wondering......
I am thinking of running Seachem Matrix and possibly GFO.
I don't have a sump or such thing. Would it be possible to put the Matrix/GFO in a PVC tube (maybe two PVC tubes if I want to run both) of sufficient size, and set up a small (~50gph, adjustable) pump right outside it, and just plumb it so water goes through the Matrix/GFO-laden pipe out into the tank? I supposed I'd have to put some mesh on one end of this DIY reactor to keep the material in.
I'm particularly thinking of this as a bio-filter alternative to a mechanical filter in a 5 gallon pico. I'm shocked at how much AIO pico tanks cost. Wouldn't it just be possible to just get a 5G from PetPlace, run Matrix or similar biofilter material for the ammonia cycle and denitrification, and then just choose as much LR and lighting as you need?
I am thinking of running Seachem Matrix and possibly GFO.
I don't have a sump or such thing. Would it be possible to put the Matrix/GFO in a PVC tube (maybe two PVC tubes if I want to run both) of sufficient size, and set up a small (~50gph, adjustable) pump right outside it, and just plumb it so water goes through the Matrix/GFO-laden pipe out into the tank? I supposed I'd have to put some mesh on one end of this DIY reactor to keep the material in.
I'm particularly thinking of this as a bio-filter alternative to a mechanical filter in a 5 gallon pico. I'm shocked at how much AIO pico tanks cost. Wouldn't it just be possible to just get a 5G from PetPlace, run Matrix or similar biofilter material for the ammonia cycle and denitrification, and then just choose as much LR and lighting as you need?


