New 700 Litre tank filtration questions

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
B

BenScoobert

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
May 2, 2007
60
0
0
UK Halifax
Today I got a new tank, 7 foot, before I start I need to decide on whether to but a decent external filter like an fx5 or similar. Or convert my old 68 litre redundant tank into a sump.

I can't find any diagrams for freshwater sumps and i dont know how to start.

My tank will need to be drilled I guess which kinda worries me.

Please help.
 
Drilling acrylic is easy 1-2-3....There can never be too much filtration on any tank...For tanks larger than 100g, a sump filter(wet/dry) should always be on it....On top of that, the combonations available are endless...Aqua Clear 101's for mechanical, Fluvals and RENA Xp3's for extra help on chemical/mechanical....
 
importracer;838970; said:
Drilling acrylic is easy 1-2-3....There can never be too much filtration on any tank...For tanks larger than 100g, a sump filter(wet/dry) should always be on it....On top of that, the combonations available are endless...Aqua Clear 101's for mechanical, Fluvals and RENA Xp3's for extra help on chemical/mechanical....
Click to expand...

It's glass :(
 
lol
 
BenScoobert;838856; said:
Today I got a new tank, 7 foot, before I start I need to decide on whether to but a decent external filter like an fx5 or similar. Or convert my old 68 litre redundant tank into a sump.

I can't find any diagrams for freshwater sumps and i dont know how to start.

My tank will need to be drilled I guess which kinda worries me.

Please help.
Click to expand...


Obviously you haven't searched on this forrum...

Light reading...

Overflow...http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/fo...t=15733&page=7

or...http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/fo...ad.php?t=15733

Seen this one?...http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/fo...462#post409462

Or ...http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/fo...ad.php?t=13133

and...http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j3...ankchanger.jpg

plus...http://www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/wetdry.htm

And when your finished it should look like this...http://www.fishforums.com/forum/diy-...g-problem.html

Is this the sort of this your wanting to do?

Keep us posted.

Dr Joe

.
 
Dr Joe;840039; said:
Obviously you haven't searched on this forrum...

Light reading...

Overflow...http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/fo...t=15733&page=7

or...http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/fo...ad.php?t=15733

Seen this one?...http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/fo...462#post409462

Or ...http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/fo...ad.php?t=13133

and...http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j3...ankchanger.jpg

plus...http://www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/wetdry.htm

And when your finished it should look like this...http://www.fishforums.com/forum/diy-...g-problem.html

Is this the sort of this your wanting to do?

Keep us posted.

Dr Joe

.
Click to expand...


People like you are the reason people like me are lazy!!! :)

All those WOULD have been helpful, had I not found out this morning that my intended sump tank is far too small at 11% volume of the main tank. I'm told I need 50% at least.

PLAN B:

I bought a cascade 1500
http://www.pennplax.com/Pages/Aqua.pages..../Aqua19F.html
I will T off the pipe that returns to the tank, it will pass through a ball valve like in your toilet with the float, and on to the start of the sump, this will then regulate the flow into the sump at a rate a little submersible can cope with.

So 2 filters, next question, how many sections would you put in a sump and what size/volume?
 
BenScoobert;840852; said:
People like you are the reason people like me are lazy!!! :)

All those WOULD have been helpful, had I not found out this morning that my intended sump tank is far too small at 11% volume of the main tank. I'm told I need 50% at least.

PLAN B:

I bought a cascade 1500
http://www.pennplax.com/Pages/Aqua.pages..../Aqua19F.html
I will T off the pipe that returns to the tank, it will pass through a ball valve like in your toilet with the float, and on to the start of the sump, this will then regulate the flow into the sump at a rate a little submersible can cope with.

So 2 filters, next question, how many sections would you put in a sump and what size/volume?
Click to expand...


.
Where did you get the 50% from? It's nice if you can do it, but 30% is more like it.

A 180g if not over-stocked and with a 4x turnover can use a 55g sump no problem, and some on here are using smaller.

The cascade is only going to give you a 2x turnover (350gph) at best with clean light media.

Flow your sump separately for maximun filtering/ circulation. Filtering filtered water isn't necessary unless you make the cascade completely mechanical, but separing them is still best...trying to balance a return pump is giong to drive you crazy.

Sump sections: These guys have a couple of prime examples of what to do:

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=67856

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=67797

And these projects can be made using plastic or plywood tubs too.

Dr Joe

.
 
Dr Joe;841989; said:
.

The cascade is only going to give you a 2x turnover (350gph) at best with clean light media.

Flow your sump separately for maximun filtering/ circulation. Filtering filtered water isn't necessary unless you make the cascade completely mechanical, but separing them is still best...trying to balance a return pump is giong to drive you crazy.

.
Click to expand...

The reason I wanted the sump on the filter outlet is to have a little pressure behind the system so it will open the cistern valve everytime. The sump is primarily for nitrate removal, it will have some kind of plants under lamps growing there, possibly water cress and maybe some of my carnivorous bog plants.

I have managed to draw a very technical diagram :ROFL:

tankdiag.JPG


Doing it this way will regulate flow into the sump, i think, it will also prevent any "chunks" going into it as its already passed thru the cascade.

As my tank will be quite under stocked I wasn't too worried about the 2x flow. I'm more interested in plants than fish and i hope it to become a large indoor underwater garden with about 50 tetras or so.
 
I just looked back at your original drawing...I must have missed the 'cistern valve' (flapper valve? http://www.bizrate.co.uk/plumbingsupplies/oid331709418.html ) (It's fun to translate! but hurts the brain).

Just not sure why?

And why it needs to build up pressure first?

Or do I have the wrong valve?

Not that it can't be done (I've needed to do this on several occasions), but balancing two pumps on the return ain't such a good idea long term.

If your going to have a large planted tankand only 50 tetras, do you really need the sump? Maybe consider a co2 system instead (just randon thinking here).

Are we going to have to start another section on here for 'MONSTER PLANT TANKS' ?! :ROFL:

:ROFL: :ROFL: I just thought about it...50 tetras in 180g tank :ROFL: :ROFL:


Like 50 people walking in the Amazon jungle :D .

Keep us in the que,

Dr Joe

.
 
There was no plan for 2 pumps on the return, the cascade would pass some water to the sump and the flapper/float/cistern valve would stop it putting water in to the sump faster than the pump could return it via a seperate pipe.

Not just 50 tetras, theres a plec too!!!!!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom