Indoor 1/24 Rock Crawler Course

[WickedFog]

Work is progressing slowly. I put a layer down then stop to think about things. I have the 3rd layer done, but nothing is glued down yet. The lower stream bed is done though, so now it is time to start bringing the mountains up.

What I plan to do is hollow out the mountains to save foam. So that is the reason these layers aren't glued down yet. A lot of this foam will be cut away wherever a mountain sits.

The scrap yard so far

 

[Greywolf74]

can't wait to see it when its done!

 

[WickedFog]

Layers will go much faster now. Layer 4 complete.

I bought a small 90gph water pump to test this with once I get it all sealed up. But ultimately I will be using a small canister filter for an aquarium. Anyone know any good suggestions for a nice small canister filter? Been out of the aquarium world for about 15 years. I need something with adjustable flow rate down to about 80gph up to about 120gph I am guessing.

 

[Greywolf74]

I bet @WVNed would know! I wonder were hes been. I havent seen him around the forums lately

 

[WickedFog]

I bet @WVNed would know! I wonder were hes been. I havent seen him around the forums lately

I found the ones I used are still being made. Cascade, by Penn-Plax. I loved those filters, so I will just grab one of those and put a bypass line in to adjust the flow rate that way. I didn't even think about that until I stumbled onto a 3-way ball valve. They have enough power to give my kid a shower when he turns it on lol. And with the valves, I can knock it down to a trickle.

 

[Greywolf74]

I found the ones I used are still being made. Cascade, by Penn-Plax. I loved those filters, so I will just grab one of those and put a bypass line in to adjust the flow rate that way. I didn't even think about that until I stumbled onto a 3-way ball valve. They have enough power to give my kid a shower when he turns it on lol. And with the valves, I can knock it down to a trickle.

I can't believe you're going to put real water in the indoor course thats crazy cool! I'm assuming that foam is non-porous?

 

[Tunedfrog]

Wickedly cool.

 

[Xraycer]

Layers will go much faster now. Layer 4 complete.
View attachment 132092
View attachment 132093

I bought a small 90gph water pump to test this with once I get it all sealed up. But ultimately I will be using a small canister filter for an aquarium. Anyone know any good suggestions for a nice small canister filter? Been out of the aquarium world for about 15 years. I need something with adjustable flow rate down to about 80gph up to about 120gph I am guessing.

So, why exactly do you want to use a filtration system rather than just a simple water pump?

I'm not as hardcore into the aquarium hobby as I used to be, but I'm still running my 75gal and 180gal tanks. My 180gal runs 3 large canister filters, 2 of which are the Sunsun brand. These 2 Chinese brand 500gph canisters have been running for over 6 years and were selling for a measily $80 back when I bought it. They are now selling for a hundred and change, which is still a bargain compared to the major brands.
I've never used this particular model, but it's from the same company.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01J8BGB9A/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apan_glt_fabc_W5B74FWSJZ75XDWA75K1

 

[WickedFog]

I can't believe you're going to put real water in the indoor course thats crazy cool! I'm assuming that foam is non-porous?

I will be sealing the whole creek bed with either Plasti-Dip or Mod Podge. It will be a completely contained system except where the trucks drag a little out of the creek, which will quickly evaporate.

So, why exactly do you want to use a filtration system rather than just a simple water pump?

I don't really know if it would be necessary tbh. I am starting with the pump, just to see how it goes. I will probably end up just periodically changing the water instead. Just spitballing here, but thinking ahead in case I start to have any problems. But I was thinking earlier, a filter would need to run constantly. So may be easier to just use a pump.

Thanks for the link!


Layer 5 complete. This is the height the water outlet will be. Should make for a nice little trickling noise with the water dropping 1-3/4".

 

[Greywolf74]

Seems like running the filter would keep the water cleaner? Not very knowledgeable about aquariums but it seems to make sense

 

[WickedFog]

Seems like running the filter would keep the water cleaner? Not very knowledgeable about aquariums but it seems to make sense

Well, I got to thinking (not a chemist here), the filtration system works because of bacteria that grow in the water that eat the contaminants. I know the charcoal filter removes other stuff besides the poo from the fishies, but no idea how the whole system works. Would it need fish, poo, and all that to maintain the proper bacteria? I dunno. I guess if I have to I can always put some small tetras in the pools

 

[Xraycer]

Well, I got to thinking (not a chemist here), the filtration system works because of bacteria that grow in the water that eat the contaminants. I know the charcoal filter removes other stuff besides the poo from the fishies, but no idea how the whole system works. Would it need fish, poo, and all that to maintain the proper bacteria? I dunno. I guess if I have to I can always put some small tetras in the pools

Living things, particularly fish, will produce wastes. Wastes, in a closed system will ultimately become highly toxic(ammonia). A seasoned filtration system will have bacterial colonies that will break down these waste into a more tolerable toxin(nitrate). Charcoal has no effect on waste removal. It helps make the water clear and less smelly.. due to waste products.
Since you have no fish in this system, a filtration system is not necessary, except to catch any debris that breaks free from the course.

 

[WickedFog]

...except to catch any debris that breaks free from the course.

Which I could just do with filter media below the return. Thanks for the info!

 

[Greywolf74]

Ok, that also makes sense

 

[WickedFog]

I got the 6th layer done and figured I would give you guys a flyover showing this a little better along with some ideas about what is next.

Here it is in full view

And here is the video

 

[Tunedfrog]

Pretty cool.

 

[Xraycer]

Looking sweet already!

 

[WickedFog]

Thanks guys. I have to take a bit of a break now I think. Kinda overdid it today. Been so excited to get this started I have ruined my back working on it.

 

[Greywolf74]

Good stuuf bro...comin' along nicely!

 

[Doom!]

Looking good,