300 gallon setup/sump build
- Thread starter jaws7777
- Start date
Haha i felt the same way... you know something is wrong with is lol
Any suggestions or things you would change ?
Hi jaws,
I am thinking about ordering from midwest custom same dimension as your tank (300 gal). My question what is the approximate time frame for the tank to be build?
Thanks
Another vote for inkbrd. I know more people have bettetr reliable sertup and preferred brands. But from someone whose learning. I researched and and pulled the plugs. I'm happy with mine about 9 Months not.
I really couldnt say. It looks like i may get the tank next week but chris did tell me up front that it would take about a 6 weeks but that was only because they were really busy with a large onsite build at the time. Your best bet is to contact them as he may be caught up and the turn around would be much quicker.
In all honesty though it kind of worked out (waiting) i was able to hunt down supplies and tinker with everything and make some changes that i probably wouldnt have had the turn around been much shorter. Also gave me more time to research reasearch and research lol
I'll give it a try on a future set up thx
As you've mimicked with Ragin/others filtering/plumbing, they would be in a better position to provide meaningful things that they would change or improve on. There's a lot of nuances to every install, imo.
Here's one food for thought - use clear primer. You're not going to get inspected (at least by anyone other than folks here on MFK, LOL), so no reason to go purple. Just remember to primer then cement in the right order. It's not a big deal if you use purple primer, but think it looks cleaner using clear on PVC.
Clear primer and cement is a VERY good idea. Especially if you're gonna glue anything inside the tank. A little drop of glue or primer inside the tank and you'll be looking at it for a loooooonnnnnngggg time.
I didn't even glue the loc line and manifold inside my tank. It comes apart sometimes, but I don't care. I was just too scared to go anywhere near the display tank with glue and primer.
If I had it to do over, I'd put bigger pumps. I'd go 12 X turnover, maybe even more.
I went without the pond boxes, and I haven't notice any ill effect. But, I have a drip system, too so I might just not every notice, or ever really put any load on the bio-media.
I'd go with a 3 inch gate valve and T. 2 inch siphon drains into a 3 inch T and Gate Valve would have been PLENTY. I didn't need to put a 4 inch gate.
I'd have bought the skin for the stand. I used to LOVE looking at the sump, and I have fish living in it now, but I'm gonna end up cutting and covering some panels to cover up the sump eventually.
Lights--I still have crappy Finnex LED's on top of my big tank. Just never got around to buying some good lights. I'd like to get some custom made lights, and nice hanging kits.
Bigger. I'd have gotten a bigger tank. Seriously. You get an 8 foot tank, you think you'll never need a bigger tank, and as soon as you get it stocked you start thinking it's not big enough. That's because...it's NOT. I keep Vieja and Ampn's--these fish need really big tanks. You can keep 1 or 2 in a 125, maybe 3. But they really need a bigger tank to move around, fight without killing each other, etc. I wish I had a 10 foot tank, or a 12 foot tank, 48 inches wide maybe.
I didn't even glue the loc line and manifold inside my tank. It comes apart sometimes, but I don't care. I was just too scared to go anywhere near the display tank with glue and primer.
If I had it to do over, I'd put bigger pumps. I'd go 12 X turnover, maybe even more.
I went without the pond boxes, and I haven't notice any ill effect. But, I have a drip system, too so I might just not every notice, or ever really put any load on the bio-media.
I'd go with a 3 inch gate valve and T. 2 inch siphon drains into a 3 inch T and Gate Valve would have been PLENTY. I didn't need to put a 4 inch gate.
I'd have bought the skin for the stand. I used to LOVE looking at the sump, and I have fish living in it now, but I'm gonna end up cutting and covering some panels to cover up the sump eventually.
Lights--I still have crappy Finnex LED's on top of my big tank. Just never got around to buying some good lights. I'd like to get some custom made lights, and nice hanging kits.
Bigger. I'd have gotten a bigger tank. Seriously. You get an 8 foot tank, you think you'll never need a bigger tank, and as soon as you get it stocked you start thinking it's not big enough. That's because...it's NOT. I keep Vieja and Ampn's--these fish need really big tanks. You can keep 1 or 2 in a 125, maybe 3. But they really need a bigger tank to move around, fight without killing each other, etc. I wish I had a 10 foot tank, or a 12 foot tank, 48 inches wide maybe.
Gonna be a change in plans since
jvc66
is planning a similar build and has all the questions i had (some i still do) the topic of gate valves came up. Im gonna go with two 1.5 inch gates and see how i (we) like it. If no likey no big deal since there will be unions all over the sump i can just swap them out and install the the tee's and larger gate after the test run.
I Like the idea of clear glue
jvc66
is planning a similar build and has all the questions i had (some i still do) the topic of gate valves came up. Im gonna go with two 1.5 inch gates and see how i (we) like it. If no likey no big deal since there will be unions all over the sump i can just swap them out and install the the tee's and larger gate after the test run.I Like the idea of clear glue
