Background:
I'm in the planning stages of a tank upgrade. I currently have a 125g glass tank that I figure is a ticking time bomb. I plan to save money over the next year to get this as I already figure this is gonna cost $6-7k+. I'd like to have things figured out for this tank so in case the current tank somehow leaks or the seals start to look bad, I'd be ready to go. (I'd rather budget for this over a year but I'd just spend the money in an emergency).
Where my tank now could fit an 8" tank. I'd go 24-30" wide 24-30" tall. It's right next to a kitchen sink (it's in dining room area next to the kitchen that has a half wall dividing it from the kitchen, with the sink there). A drain and water supply are easily accessible.
As leak proof as possible:
If I had this in a garage, I'd consider taking a bigger risk on leakage by going used or buying a glass tank. I live in a condo so I want to minimize tank leakage risk as much as possible. My initial questions revolve around this topic. I've put them in bold so people can just jump to them and skip my discussion.
Obviously my first step is that I'm commiting to an acrylic tank. Ive read they are less likely to leak and I don't want to deal worry about silicone life (I understand that my 20 year tank silcone as lasted unusually long).
I'd get the tank new and I'll likely just get in professionally installed. I'm thinking this might limit me as the places I've found seem to sell tanks as well but I don't want to deal with moving it in and leveling it myself.
My flooring in this building seems to be concrete but I'd have to research this more to make sure the floor can handle the weight.
Filtration leak risk order:
I've read a bunch of threads on filtration. I think pure powerhead and air run sponge filters would probably be lowest risk of leakage. Adding hang on backs would probably be super low risk as well.
I'm axed out cannisters like the FX-6. I know I'd be lax on cleaning them and I've seen stories of people having leaks or hoses coming loose. I know i wouldn' be meticulous enough to check seals and replace them. I wouldnt be observant enough to tell when failure might be imminent.
I'd consider something like the Ultima 1000 that's like $540. The pump I've seen recommended for the Ultima 2000 is $350 or so. That wouldn't be that much more than 2xFX6 and would be easier to maintain.
A sump sounds cool but if I'm going with a new one not DIY, that seems like it'll cost around same as the Ultima system or more? I've seen ready made ones for $750 that were only 50 gallon capacity but they had dividers for skimmers and refugiums, which I don't need. Threads have recommended 75-125 sumps which are gonna cost even more
I do like the low maintenance of back flushing the Ultima. Changing out filter socks doesn't seem that bad though on a sump. I want to have a drip system and/or auto top off (not sure if I completely understand these systems). I just know that I don't pay extra for water so large water changes with backflushing on the Ultima
and/or dripping in a large amount into a sump would be great.
With a sump, I like the extra water volume and I can use the media I have plus an almost full, unused box of Substrat Pro I have. I'd also order a gallon of pond matrix to start.
Anyway, how much more risk of leakage is there for a sump vs Ultima system vs HOBs & sponges?
Peninsula overflow?:
I read a little about this but all the threads I've found on forums are about saltwater setups.
I like giving clown Loaches flow and my current system has powerheads to help with this.
Would a peninsula overflow on one end be good for creating a one way current for clown Loaches. On loaches.com they talk about river manifolds but I don't want to try that.
It seems that have powerheads pushing water to the other end overflow would work better than having two corner overflows?
Finally, this tank should fit through a standard door, right?
Thanks for any insight or advice.
I'm in the planning stages of a tank upgrade. I currently have a 125g glass tank that I figure is a ticking time bomb. I plan to save money over the next year to get this as I already figure this is gonna cost $6-7k+. I'd like to have things figured out for this tank so in case the current tank somehow leaks or the seals start to look bad, I'd be ready to go. (I'd rather budget for this over a year but I'd just spend the money in an emergency).
Where my tank now could fit an 8" tank. I'd go 24-30" wide 24-30" tall. It's right next to a kitchen sink (it's in dining room area next to the kitchen that has a half wall dividing it from the kitchen, with the sink there). A drain and water supply are easily accessible.
As leak proof as possible:
If I had this in a garage, I'd consider taking a bigger risk on leakage by going used or buying a glass tank. I live in a condo so I want to minimize tank leakage risk as much as possible. My initial questions revolve around this topic. I've put them in bold so people can just jump to them and skip my discussion.
Obviously my first step is that I'm commiting to an acrylic tank. Ive read they are less likely to leak and I don't want to deal worry about silicone life (I understand that my 20 year tank silcone as lasted unusually long).
I'd get the tank new and I'll likely just get in professionally installed. I'm thinking this might limit me as the places I've found seem to sell tanks as well but I don't want to deal with moving it in and leveling it myself.
My flooring in this building seems to be concrete but I'd have to research this more to make sure the floor can handle the weight.
Filtration leak risk order:
I've read a bunch of threads on filtration. I think pure powerhead and air run sponge filters would probably be lowest risk of leakage. Adding hang on backs would probably be super low risk as well.
I'm axed out cannisters like the FX-6. I know I'd be lax on cleaning them and I've seen stories of people having leaks or hoses coming loose. I know i wouldn' be meticulous enough to check seals and replace them. I wouldnt be observant enough to tell when failure might be imminent.
I'd consider something like the Ultima 1000 that's like $540. The pump I've seen recommended for the Ultima 2000 is $350 or so. That wouldn't be that much more than 2xFX6 and would be easier to maintain.
A sump sounds cool but if I'm going with a new one not DIY, that seems like it'll cost around same as the Ultima system or more? I've seen ready made ones for $750 that were only 50 gallon capacity but they had dividers for skimmers and refugiums, which I don't need. Threads have recommended 75-125 sumps which are gonna cost even more
I do like the low maintenance of back flushing the Ultima. Changing out filter socks doesn't seem that bad though on a sump. I want to have a drip system and/or auto top off (not sure if I completely understand these systems). I just know that I don't pay extra for water so large water changes with backflushing on the Ultima
and/or dripping in a large amount into a sump would be great.
With a sump, I like the extra water volume and I can use the media I have plus an almost full, unused box of Substrat Pro I have. I'd also order a gallon of pond matrix to start.
Anyway, how much more risk of leakage is there for a sump vs Ultima system vs HOBs & sponges?
Peninsula overflow?:
I read a little about this but all the threads I've found on forums are about saltwater setups.
I like giving clown Loaches flow and my current system has powerheads to help with this.
Would a peninsula overflow on one end be good for creating a one way current for clown Loaches. On loaches.com they talk about river manifolds but I don't want to try that.
It seems that have powerheads pushing water to the other end overflow would work better than having two corner overflows?
Finally, this tank should fit through a standard door, right?
Thanks for any insight or advice.
