125g - closed loop setup help - planted

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Sorry for the long post, hopefully someone will read and help

I picked up a 125 not long ago from a store that went out of business and looking for some ideas how to set it up...

I already went overboard and bought 3 nu-clear modular canister filters.
1 - Model 533 - 30 sq. ft. 25 Micron Mechanical & Carbon Filter
And two more empty chambers to fill with all my bio material...

The tank has THREE 1 1/2" holes drilled in it, 2 of them are on the side of the tank halfway down, and the third hole is in the back 3 quarters of the way to the bottom of the tank...

I'm debating which would be the best way to set up the drain and return, or to use all three holes to drain and use a spray bar to return...

Option 1
build an internal overflow/surface skimmer for the 2 drain holes on the side of the tank. Plumb that to a wye fitting down to a ball valve then to the pump -> filters -> back into the tank through the 3rd hole at the lower section in the middle of the tank

Option 2
Internal overflow/surface skimmer the 2 drain holes on the side and ALSO use the 3rd hole in the lower section of the back of the tank as another drain hole... Then plumb them together right before the pump then filters and back up into the tank through a diy spray bar at the top of the tank...

Option 3
Your suggestions here! hahaha
I already have all the bulkheads filters and a bunch of fittings, ball valves, and some flexible and rigid pvc...

I just need some insight and ideas what to do and why to do or not to do certain things... I'm leaning more towards option 1 but i'm sure that could use improvements.

ALSO

I NEED to buy a pump... I need something quiet (tank in bedroom) and good on energy so I was looking at the "Quiet One 6000" Can anyone recommend this? Plus its a good price!

The filters use 1" in/out (website says 1200gph) so I'm looking for something thats good for around 1200gph that will go through 3 filter chambers and POSSIBLY out of a spraybar at the top of the tank (depending on which setup i go with)

Also

A heater or would 2 heaters be better for this? its a 6ft long tank. Which ones? hidden would be better, don't want to see anything if i don't have to.

And maybe some ideas of how to run my CO2 setup, I want to keep as much as I can OUT of the tank, I'll post this on thePlantedTank too since this is plant related.

That should be it, all i can think of right now... so Please help

 

[HarleyK]

Howdy,

Sorry for the long post, hopefully someone will read and help

Doesn't seem like it ... you should really work on condensing your thoughts if you want input.

I am a canister man, so I won't comment on filtration. Two heaters are better, e.g. Jaeger. As for CO2, I consider it a waste of money and effort (--> HERE <--), so I won't comment on that, either.

Best of luck,
HarleyK

 

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Yea doesn't look too good... I didn't know how to edit this thread so made a new one shortened it as much as I could. The nu-clear filters are canister filters just have to use an external pump. and Co2 is only a waste of money if you are not dosing fertilizers and have very bright lights. If I don't put Co2 in my tank and keep my lights on, I have huge algea blooms and the plants dont grow nearly as fast, so it is definitely not useless.

Either way, thanks. I'll check out those heaters, but

Mods please lock this thread as I have another one since this was too long. thanks