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300 gallon setup/sump build
- Thread starter jaws7777
- Start date
Man, very impressive!
A few questions/comments:
What kind of sand is that? I've been contemplating replacing the blasting sand I used and I'm thinking that a red type of sand might help bring out the red colors in my fire eels a bit more (right now, their markings are more orange than red).
I would move the thermometer away from the heater a bit. The heaters can create warm zones around them unless there is a ton of flow around them. I can see it with my heaters because of the distorted light look when they are on. I think having the thermometer so close might give you a false high reading when the heaters are on.
Do you have plans to wrap the stand at all? It really seems a shame to cover up that sump and not show it off.
Where did you get the large rock you placed in the tank?
What size and how many heaters are you using and what is the temperature you want to keep the tank at?
Are you going to stick with the flow where it is or do you want to increase it some?
You've done a great job with this tank and you worked quickly on it as well. I can't wait to see it stocked!
A few questions/comments:
What kind of sand is that? I've been contemplating replacing the blasting sand I used and I'm thinking that a red type of sand might help bring out the red colors in my fire eels a bit more (right now, their markings are more orange than red).
I would move the thermometer away from the heater a bit. The heaters can create warm zones around them unless there is a ton of flow around them. I can see it with my heaters because of the distorted light look when they are on. I think having the thermometer so close might give you a false high reading when the heaters are on.
Do you have plans to wrap the stand at all? It really seems a shame to cover up that sump and not show it off.
Where did you get the large rock you placed in the tank?
What size and how many heaters are you using and what is the temperature you want to keep the tank at?
Are you going to stick with the flow where it is or do you want to increase it some?
You've done a great job with this tank and you worked quickly on it as well. I can't wait to see it stocked!
Based on the sump design, the flow is coming from both ends of the sump to each return pump right? The heater and Ranco probe are in the same chamber? If this is correct, then I think it's fine, perhaps moving the two heaters to opposite ends/corners of the same chamber just to spread out. I'd stick the probe ib the center.
This assumes my flow comment is right.
Wow thanks travis i appreciate the compliments. Im in a rush because my wife is freaking me out with the baby coming. Her c-section date is 4 weeks away but her dr said she could go earlier. I would have been able to finish it sooner if it werent for my back/hip. I cant stay in the same position for too long.
The sand is Barton red garnet sand. Was pretty hard to find but i was able to track down a sales rep and she found a sherman williams that carried it. If your interested i can post her info im sure she can help find some for you. I think it was 12 or 15 bucks per 50lbs. I used almost 200 lbs maybe closer to 175. Its fine but really heavy
Yeah the heaters were moved closer towards the middle near the pond boxes and thermometer near the front filter sock and the probe near the back filter sock.
I got the rocks from a patio/paver store. Im actually gonna hunt down some more.
Funny you mention the stand because i kind of do just want to leave it be but its near the kids play room i can only imagine what they would do unsupervised lol plus the wife is ...well a wife so im going to wrap it in stained furniture grade ply wood and attach it to the stand with velcro or magnets
2 x 300 aqueon heaters. Nothing fancy but ive always had luck with them and nothing but trouble with jagers.
As for the flow im not sure. I feel like polys dont appreciate high flow so i probably will leave it, but wont make a decision until i get a feel for how the debris collects.
Yes and no. No chamber just open space. I think i would prefer to keep them in the middle near the pond boxes only because i can keep them plugged into the same power strip seperate from the strip im going to use for the pumps. Reason being is it just easier to unplug the one strip when doing water changes. Lights and heaters will be on a seperate power strip/outlet and it would reach if i had the heaters on opposite sides.
I forgot to mention that i ripped out the right side plumbing from the tee (before the gate) valve to the bulkhead. I didnt like how it sat at a different angle than the left. Thats also the part that leaked from the union. I had to tighten the union pretty hard to get it to stop. Maybe over doing it but i was worried there would be too much tension on the bulkhead and at some point it could crack.
Havent leak tested it yet but will later today then hopefully move the fish, bio, and plants over.
Also i regret not thinking of the tarp under the sump before hand but at this point it is what is. I tried this morning but with the hip/back it just isnt possible. Even empty it was a problem. So i just laid some tarp under the plumbing and kept a peice folded up to use as a matt while doing maintenence.
Havent leak tested it yet but will later today then hopefully move the fish, bio, and plants over.
Also i regret not thinking of the tarp under the sump before hand but at this point it is what is. I tried this morning but with the hip/back it just isnt possible. Even empty it was a problem. So i just laid some tarp under the plumbing and kept a peice folded up to use as a matt while doing maintenence.
I'd prefer the heaters in the middle and the receptacle on one of the sides just because the idea of heating the water before the receptacle doesn't sit well with me. I feel like the receptacle would read the ideal temp before the display tank could ever reach it. If the pumps were to directly add the heat to the display tank, more quickly than it could build up the in the sump, behind the socks would be one of the furthest points the heat would have to travel to. It may not work this way in practice however.
I spill water from my sump a lot... This probably doesn't give you much hope.
I spill water from my sump a lot... This probably doesn't give you much hope.
Will be easier to just post a pic but what i meant by behind the sock was its allong the back wall not the side wall.
Sorry to offend jaws, just trying to help head off the water in the carpet. I know what an issue it is and that now is a million times easier to deal with it then after the fact. Not trolling you at all. Literally zero hate. Just some fear that the momentum might drown out caution. Been exitedly watching this come together and happy for your progress.
Its cool but there are reasons why the sump is situated where it is i totally agree about tarp but thats a dead issue now. I have no problems with suggestions i actually welcome them more than most people do but telling someone to redesign there plumbing because yoy dont understand it is kind of lame. I may have over reacted so my bad too
