600 gallon tank finally here!!!
- Thread starter Wet Whiskers
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Okay, holidays are not totally cleaned up yet, but I promised pics as soon as I could, so here are photos of the filtration. I have the bottom enclosed with some plastic to keep it warmer. I was losing tons of heat in a garage that would be 62 at night and 70 in the day. I'm hoping to get it skinned legitimately in the coming months. I have the water flow marked with red arrows to help explain. I did not turn anything on or off as I did this, but you should be able to see which ball valves should be turned to do what.
3 overflow openings drop down to two inlets into the sump where the water is first filtered by two very large socks:
I have some wood at the bottom to get it the filtration seeded, and I've left it in there for now until I use it in another tank. I have my 800 watt titanium heater and separate control down here. I also measure the temp of the water down here as I've already had my cats eat a glass thermometer once, get lucky, and puke it up whole. I stuck it in there, turned my back for 5 seconds, and it was gone. No more thermometers in the tank ever again.
The sump is drilled and plumbed for two pumps, but I only have one going. It could be used for either an extra tank, for more filtration, etc. I have a large fine filter pad in there which is obviously doing its job. Two very good reasons I keep it in there: 1) in case socks fill up or fall and potential dump stirred up sand into the pump. 2) It gets gross and this stuff would otherwise end up in my sand but more importantly in my canister filter. Since it can get expensive to replace these, I opt to give it as long of life as possible.
So, then from the pump, it goes to the sand filter and canister. The sand filter and canister can be by passed and the water can be returned to the sump or it can be pumped back into the tank.
Going to sand filter:
Passing filtration:
Full filtration running and returning to tank (there is a ball valve behind the plastic forcing the water up):
Full filtration running but returning to sump/ by passing tank:
Sand filter running but canister filter by passed:
Sand filter needs to be backwashed for cleaning so all water is directed out the back of the sand filter, out the blue hose, and out into the back alley:
The return for the sump so I can keep the filter going but not have it flowing through the tank:
Edit: Oh yeah! And the ever so important, "you screwed up sump overflow!"
If you liked this set up, tell R1_Ridah. I did not design this. Credit needs to be given where it is earned and deserved. I couldn't be happier with how well this tank can be serviced as a result of the design.
3 overflow openings drop down to two inlets into the sump where the water is first filtered by two very large socks:
I have some wood at the bottom to get it the filtration seeded, and I've left it in there for now until I use it in another tank. I have my 800 watt titanium heater and separate control down here. I also measure the temp of the water down here as I've already had my cats eat a glass thermometer once, get lucky, and puke it up whole. I stuck it in there, turned my back for 5 seconds, and it was gone. No more thermometers in the tank ever again.
The sump is drilled and plumbed for two pumps, but I only have one going. It could be used for either an extra tank, for more filtration, etc. I have a large fine filter pad in there which is obviously doing its job. Two very good reasons I keep it in there: 1) in case socks fill up or fall and potential dump stirred up sand into the pump. 2) It gets gross and this stuff would otherwise end up in my sand but more importantly in my canister filter. Since it can get expensive to replace these, I opt to give it as long of life as possible.
So, then from the pump, it goes to the sand filter and canister. The sand filter and canister can be by passed and the water can be returned to the sump or it can be pumped back into the tank.
Going to sand filter:
Passing filtration:
Full filtration running and returning to tank (there is a ball valve behind the plastic forcing the water up):
Full filtration running but returning to sump/ by passing tank:
Sand filter running but canister filter by passed:
Sand filter needs to be backwashed for cleaning so all water is directed out the back of the sand filter, out the blue hose, and out into the back alley:
The return for the sump so I can keep the filter going but not have it flowing through the tank:
Edit: Oh yeah! And the ever so important, "you screwed up sump overflow!"
If you liked this set up, tell R1_Ridah. I did not design this. Credit needs to be given where it is earned and deserved. I couldn't be happier with how well this tank can be serviced as a result of the design.
Okay... so I HOPE that I got all that right.
Anyways, my cats so kindly gave a perfect demonstration as to why there is so much filtration!
I tell people that my catfish leave behind turds the size of land cat poop, but I don't think they believe me.
Oh, and here is my new little rescue, an ID shark. He looks like he's been kept in a very small tank and become stunted. His eyes look to be a bit too big for him and he's thin. However, he is doing well, hanging out with my other rescued ID shark, and (now) successfully avoiding the mouth of my 26-27" TSN. He is starting to settle in, and hopefully he'll shine up, fatten up, and start growing.
Anyways, my cats so kindly gave a perfect demonstration as to why there is so much filtration!
I tell people that my catfish leave behind turds the size of land cat poop, but I don't think they believe me.
Oh, and here is my new little rescue, an ID shark. He looks like he's been kept in a very small tank and become stunted. His eyes look to be a bit too big for him and he's thin. However, he is doing well, hanging out with my other rescued ID shark, and (now) successfully avoiding the mouth of my 26-27" TSN. He is starting to settle in, and hopefully he'll shine up, fatten up, and start growing.
wonderful!!! not to sound like a noob, but i didnt even know tanks cam in 600!! congrats and cant wait to see the set up!!
Nikko112;3757961; said:
It's all in the many previous pages. It's not decorated yet, but I don't think the cats really care.
So, I tried to get some new photos of the fish to show their growth by putting the sticky arrows on the tank every 12". It seemed like a great idea until I no one would lay nicely against the glass for a picture. I've got a few shots of them swimming by, but most of the fish are a few to several inches away from the front of the tank so it makes them look smaller than they really are. Oh, well. I'll post some of them anyways.
Common fishy! Just a little closer and not so crooked!!!
Looks like if I really want a measurement I'm going to have to make one or two quadrilaterally divided 2' square of PVC and put it into the tank.
Common fishy! Just a little closer and not so crooked!!!
Looks like if I really want a measurement I'm going to have to make one or two quadrilaterally divided 2' square of PVC and put it into the tank.
what a great update and explanation of the plumbing! How in the world did you keep it all straight when you un/re-installed it?
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