600G Filtration Ideas

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Avalanche

Exodon
MFK Member
May 15, 2012
31
0
21
New Smyrna Beach, FL
So, I am going to be purchasing a 600g 96x48x30 tank in the somewhat near future. Most of the companies that I have talked to want an arm and a leg for the filtration setups that they offer, so I figure I could probably just build my own for a fraction of their asking price.

I would like to go with a sump, however, I am open to a closed loop system. What do you guys believe are the pros/cons to each and which would be best for a system of this size? Keep in mind I will be adding a drip system to the tank.

If I went with a sump, I was figuring I could use a 150g Rubbermaid stock tank. The questions I have about that are, what are the best options for mech filtration in that setup (socks?) and what are the limitations on pump size? I would like to run a Reeflo Hammerhead Gold or something similar to get a decent turnover. With the high flow rate of the pump, would I still be able to put a bead filter, such as an Ultima II 1000 on the return line or is the flow rate too high?

Again, this is just the planning phase and I am open to any suggestions that you might have.

Thanks and I look forward to the responses.
 
I have a sump for mine. Filter socks work great for filtering out all the stuff in the tank as long as it goes through the overflow. Floor drains and a closed loop system is nice because it will clean all the stuff off the bottom. Just really depends on what you want to do. That's the problem so many options. A sump with socks I think is cheaper than any closed loop system.
 
A 150g sump will be huge and should give you all the bio filtration you will ever need. I prefer a wet/dry trickle filter arrangement due to the huge air/water surface area it creates giving you huge oxygenation and off gassing capabilities.

I use a DE pool filter that does an incredible job at mechanical filtration. At $210 I think it is an incredible deal too (see my signature).

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Avalanche said:
So, I am going to be purchasing a 600g 96x48x30 tank in the somewhat near future. Most of the companies that I have talked to want an arm and a leg for the filtration setups that they offer, so I figure I could probably just build my own for a fraction of their asking price.

If I went with a sump, I was figuring I could use a 150g Rubbermaid stock tank. The questions I have about that are, what are the best options for mech filtration in that setup (socks?) and what are the limitations on pump size? I would like to run a Reeflo Hammerhead Gold or something similar to get a decent turnover. With the high flow rate of the pump, would I still be able to put a bead filter, such as an Ultima II 1000 on the return line or is the flow rate too high?

Again, this is just the planning phase and I am open to any suggestions that you might have.

Thanks and I look forward to the responses.
Click to expand...

Each Ultima filter has a maximum recommended flow rate. You would need a return pump with a maximum flow rate similar to the flow rate of the Ultima.

Ultima II 1000 maximum flow rate is 1,200 gph
Hammerhead Gold pump maximum flow rate is 5555 gph That's a fail.

Ultima II 4000 maximum flow rate is 4,500 gph/Barracuda Gold pump max. flow is 4680 gph which would work.

So if you have your heart set on an Ultima and a HUGE pump, you will need to get a bigger Ultima. With such a big pump as a Hammerhead Gold, I would have the Ultima and pump drawing and returning directly to the main tank. IMO, that pump is too strong to use as a return pump from a 150 g sump. Other MFK members have tried it and ended up getting smaller pumps or valving the flow down. It would be hard to maintain the water level in that sump, especially if you go wet/dry which has less water than a submerged media system. Looking at it a different way, if the 150 g sump was filled to capacity, with a Hammerhead Gold pump returning the water to the main tank, there would be a 37x/hr turnover rate through the sump. If you plumbed the appropriate Ultima and Hammerhead Gold pump directly to the main tank, the turnover rate would be less than 9x/hr. (didn't factor in head loss)


A Reeflo Snapper with 1500 gph flow at 7' head might work with an Ultima II 1000 filter. Not trying to discourage you from Ultima/Reeflos--just want to see you succeed. I will be going that route myself--two 4000s run with Barracuda Golds.
 
Thank you very much for the information! More and more with the research I have been doing I figure that having the Ultima with the sump would be a little bit of overkill. The amount of bio that I can put in the sump should be able to easily handle whatever I throw at it. I think I am just going to keep it basic and go with the wet sump and socks as the mech.


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Got my 600 going, running Dailey chained sump of a 40g and a 70 gallon. The 70g is a wet and dry setup, where as the 40 is strictly bio rings. Socks on all 3 2" pipes but socks alone are not doing the job to clean the water. Also running 1 fx5 and 1 eheim 1060. I think my problem is not enough current in the tank to move debris. Still working on my filtering to get to the clean water. Hoping to add a UV soon. The sump is running with a hammerhead but is likely only pumping 4000 gph. Good luck with your filtering setup.


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What size and micron rating for the socks? Also how do you have your water plumbing for Jets in the tank?

Sonny503 said:
Got my 600 going, running Dailey chained sump of a 40g and a 70 gallon. The 70g is a wet and dry setup, where as the 40 is strictly bio rings. Socks on all 3 2" pipes but socks alone are not doing the job to clean the water. Also running 1 fx5 and 1 eheim 1060. I think my problem is not enough current in the tank to move debris. Still working on my filtering to get to the clean water. Hoping to add a UV soon. The sump is running with a hammerhead but is likely only pumping 4000 gph. Good luck with your filtering setup.


Sent from my iPad using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
Click to expand...
 
Sonny503 said:
Got my 600 going, running Dailey chained sump of a 40g and a 70 gallon. The 70g is a wet and dry setup, where as the 40 is strictly bio rings. Socks on all 3 2" pipes but socks alone are not doing the job to clean the water. Also running 1 fx5 and 1 eheim 1060. I think my problem is not enough current in the tank to move debris. Still working on my filtering to get to the clean water. Hoping to add a UV soon. The sump is running with a hammerhead but is likely only pumping 4000 gph. Good luck with your filtering setup.

Sent from my iPad using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
Click to expand...

Yeah, what is the micron rating on the socks that you are using? Also, a UV will not help clear up the debris in your tank.

I figure if I am not getting clear enough water, I could just add a diatom filter and run it a couple times a week.
 
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