I have been holding off putting the sides on my stand because I could not think of a good way to make them so I can get in and out of there to change the the filter socks and do maintenance. I thought of magnets, big doors, sliding doors but all of the would not give me easy access. We'll that brings me to my next thing I am going to drill holes in my floor and run the pipes into my basement. I am looking into using a small 8 x 6 x 2 pool as my sump. If I do this I can just wrap the tank and use magnets to hold the sides on the stank. Also I can make my sump much bigger, I am looking at going from a 125 to 800-1200 gallons. Also I wouldn't have to worry about spilling water on the floor and it will be so easy to do maintenance. A small pool is the cheapest think I can think of is there something else people use? Also anyone have any suggestions on pumps? I am going to run 2 inch pvc straight up and just go over the back with the pvc to reduce head pressure. I am going to need at least 6000 gph after head loss.
So i think im going to do it.
- Thread starter Tj203
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A stock tank, the ones they use to water live stock like cows, would make a nice sturdy large sump. Or one of those polyethylene water tanks in a steel cage might make a nice large sump that can be mostly covered to reduce evaporation while still being pretty cheap. Make sure you have a way to get it into your basement before you buy one though.
You are going to need to figure out the total head pressure you need to overcome before shopping for a pump. The distance between the water level in the tank and the water level in the sump will be the total rise (total head) the pump is going to need to overcome. Lifting a decent amount of water ~8 to ~12 feet will require a good bit of power that you will most likely notice on your electric bill if it is running 24x7.
How big is your display aquarium?
You are going to need to figure out the total head pressure you need to overcome before shopping for a pump. The distance between the water level in the tank and the water level in the sump will be the total rise (total head) the pump is going to need to overcome. Lifting a decent amount of water ~8 to ~12 feet will require a good bit of power that you will most likely notice on your electric bill if it is running 24x7.
How big is your display aquarium?
Your right about the head pressure I'm at 12 ft without any 90's or anything. I already am using the biggest reflo pump. I was going to use 2 pumps and I am in ct so Electric is crazy. That's why I was asking about pumps because someone might know a good efficient pump. My display is 600 gallons so if I could Double that it would be nice. I love the look of a heavily stock tank. I do not have problems with nutrition now but bigger is better and on top of all of that. THE WIFE GAVE ME THE OK ? definitely going with a 8 x 6 x 2 pool At least now. Told her it will be small you won't see it lol
Definitely not going to be able to fit one of those caged totes through a standard door. Sounds like an awesome idea with the pool. When I was setting up tanks in NY for customers we would use poly totes like this one. The pool idea might be cheaper though.
As long as it is 32 inches or less high
Height? Flipped on its side a 30" tall tote will squeeze right through a doorway.
Might be more cost effective to raise your sump high off the floor. So less water head for your pumps (can use cheaper pumps with lower running cost) as well as giving you usable floor space under the sump back. And a bit easier to gravity drain when you need to empty the sump.
As this is a sump, it doesn't have to be one single unit if door access is an issue but a pool liner is probably the cheapest method.
As this is a sump, it doesn't have to be one single unit if door access is an issue but a pool liner is probably the cheapest method.
Ok I found everything I am going to use one of the ibc 275 container. Found the pumps. But I can't think of a good Mechanical filtration. I was going to cut two holes in the top of the tote and put 5 gallon buckets in them like over sized filter socks but I can't come up with anything good. I was thinking sponges, or pot scrubber. I would like something reusable. I do not want to use polyester fill. I just saw a new one tonight someone used a pillow case though that was a good one. Just needs to be cheap no biological filtration needed
I used 3mm HDPE granules (the raw beads used to make a myriad of PE plastic products including K1 & rain water tanks) as a deep static bed to prefilter. Initially down flow. So just drop the water through from top over the dry granules which would float. To clean you flood fill the chamber, stir to release the muck out of granules then flush to drain. The raw granules are very cheap in 20 kg bags but they tend to escape and are messy.
I upgraded to micro K1 but upflow. I know when it's time to clean because the level of media starts to rise up in the container. You can stack 5 gallon buckets (without bottom) to make longer height open top tubes. The media was more expensive but easy to use & can filter high flow to about 50 micron.
I upgraded to micro K1 but upflow. I know when it's time to clean because the level of media starts to rise up in the container. You can stack 5 gallon buckets (without bottom) to make longer height open top tubes. The media was more expensive but easy to use & can filter high flow to about 50 micron.