Getting a 550 gallon tank next week...

[ChiPerf]

Anyone have any input on this stuff? I want to keep progressing while I have time. Thanks.

[sazhar]

Yeah those work fine. You can find some cheaper alternatives if you look around. I think vldesign has some pot scrubbies for sale cheap. You can pm him to find out. You can use the pot scrubbies instead of the bio balls and they work just as well imo. Plus it will save you some coin. If money is not an issue than those bio balls are fine. Just make sure the water level of the sump is low enough so that not many or none of the bio balls are submerged. They are not as effective when submerged. You can find more options in the filter media sticky at the top of this forum.

[ChiPerf]

Thanks man. Gotcha on the water level and pot scrubbies. I'll hit him up soon and grab some. What about the divider material? Plastic or glass? Where to get it? What does everybody else use when they make their own?

[clekchau]

honestly if i could start over, i would have gone the submerged media and filter sock route rather than bio balls but also there are people who say bio balls work good submerged too so i still might go that route, mechanical filteration is becoming a challenge on my big tank.

[ChiPerf]

I have no knowledge on debating good versus better. Last time I had a fish tank was 20 years ago. They just invented glass. lol Does my plan sound logical though? Where to get egg crate stuff and divider material though?

[sazhar]

Home depot has it. It is back in the lighting area. It is back by the panels that are used to diffuse fluorescent light. Here is a link to the hd website. You can also buy acrylic panels there as well for the dividers.

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...atalogId=10053

[clekchau]

lol . yes it sounds logical, alot depends on your stock list and maintenance schedule. egg crate you can get at home depot or hardware store.

[ChiPerf]

Next time I need fish food or a Vieja Argentea I'm gonna ask at Home Depot. They have everything else. haha Thanks for the help guys. I really appreciate it. No way I could do this on my own. I can't believe how much I have learned in the last month. And I can't believe I used to keep fish not knowing any of this stuff. lol

[ChiPerf]

One more quick question... So the tank has 5 holes in the center on the bottom, 2 for drain, 2 for water coming back up, and 1 that is completely open from top to bottom. It is a 2" PVC pipe that is sealed inside the tank, but open on the top and bottom to the outside. It runs the entire heighth of the tank. What do you suppose that was for?

[sazhar]

I think it is a vent for the drain lines. A picture would help.