Mist/Rain system....doable?

[Scott Morgan]

Hi, first post and all.

I am small scale keeper like most looking for ways to cut back on some costs. My idea involves a medium-large scale misting system for breeding.

The setup is much like like a fish aquarium with a large sump collecting/filtering/pumping the water back into a misting bar.

Enclosures are just typical rubbermaids with drilled and plumbed bottoms.

I could hook the rain on a timer and let it "rain" for however long a day.

I am thinking you could do 3-5 rubbermaids (50-90 quarts) and use a 30-40 gallon sump running with RO and if needed a UV sterilizer. Water would run through a sock filter to trap any debris or solid matter.

I have all of the equipment but the pvc pipes I need to run.

What are the obvious cons to this setup?

Any other advice? Or should I just have a large 75 gallon sump pumping water and the drain to a large bucket to just dump the water?

[John]

Welcome to the forum Scott. I like the first option because it's lower maintenance, though it is more work to set it up initially. The second option is less work but if the frogs spend much time in those containers you'll have to keep a good eye on the water quality. I hope the opinion helped.

Best wishes,

-John

[SludgeMunkey]

Definitely a feasible system. I built a similar setup (a drip system for anabantoid fish) a few years back.

I found that an off the shelf lawn sprinkler timer is the simplest way to do it. You can even buy them with aux power out, so that the pump only comes on when the timer says it is time to rain.

The trickiest part is overflow prevention for your catch pan/reservoir in case of pump failure. I was able to solve this issue by running a drain hose from a max level in the reservoir out a window.

[Scott Morgan]

Is there any real issue with the waste? If its heavily filtered and the PH stays low and stable?

All enclosures are drilled, even the large rubbermaid/sterilites and the water is recycled but heavily filtered. The filter system that would be used would be similar to what I use for a 260g reef setup except slightly modified of course.

[SludgeMunkey]

Depends on the substrate used if any. In a set up like yours, It may be wise to have an inch or two of gravel under the substrate, just to help keep solids out of the system.

Filtration is a wise idea in the main reclamation reservoir. A cartridge type canister filter or the like would work well.

Even with filtration though, it would be necessary to change the water every few days.

If you go substrateless, then you have the issue of losing eggs/tadpoles to the drain. This can easily be prevented with bulk filter media over the drains. Additional protection can be provided by using a smaller catch basin in the main reservoir. The water drains to the small basin and then overflows into the main. Any stray eggs or tadpoles will be in the smaller basin.

[Scott Morgan]

Depends on the substrate used if any. In a set up like yours, It may be wise to have an inch or two of gravel under the substrate, just to help keep solids out of the system.

Filtration is a wise idea in the main reclamation reservoir. A cartridge type canister filter or the like would work well.

Even with filtration though, it would be necessary to change the water every few days.

If you go substrateless, then you have the issue of losing eggs/tadpoles to the drain. This can easily be prevented with bulk filter media over the drains. Additional protection can be provided by using a smaller catch basin in the main reservoir. The water drains to the small basin and then overflows into the main. Any stray eggs or tadpoles will be in the smaller basin.

I am thinking a gravel/hydro ball mix with fine plastic mesh over it. Then just a standard mix of substrate and moss above that. I also got the suggestion to drill the tops of the containors to have the pvc run directly through it so I can still keep a partial screen top with a lighting cycle goingand proper ventilation. Using this method I think I can run the pvc through three 58 q sterilites.

The species I am most intersted are african reeds (Hyperolius sp) and amazon milk frogs (Trachycephalus resinifictrix). Possibly some mantellas down the road as well.


Also the actual rain portion would only be active during breeding season unless I need to raise the humidity/water table for whatever reason.

[SludgeMunkey]

Sounds like a solid plan to me. Over on Caudata.org, there is a fellow that goes by the handle "grius" he is an expert in these types of set ups, although he mostly does cooling systems. You may want to browse his threads over there as he posts many pictures that can guide you on piping and the like for your project.

I admit that I primarily build display systems, he is the pro on life support systems.