Ok. Btw, If I get one of those two, do I still need the hammerhead pump to run it (I think that's a quieter one)? Where are those filters usually placed in relation to the tank, and how are they connected?
Acrylic monster tanks?
- Thread starter Samaka
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Ok. Btw, If I get one of those two, do I still need the hammerhead pump to run it (I think that's a quieter one)? Where are those filters usually placed in relation to the tank, and how are they connected?
You have a lot of research you need to do. Both the BIowave and the Ultima IIs are filters that need purging (usually tank water). So it is especially handy to have a drain in close proximity to the filter. (handy, but not a requirement) The purging, therefore self-cleaning aspect, IMO, is the true beauty of these filters. Both of these filters are usually used in large pond systems.
There are different models of Ultima IIs starting with Ultima II 2000 (supports 1,000=2,000 gallons) going up to Ultima II 100,000 which supports bodies of water 60,000 - 100,000 gallons. Each filter has a recommended optimal flow rate. So for whatever filter you select, you need to choose a pump that would perform at the optimal flow rate. For instance, the optimal flow rate of the Ultima II 2000 is 2,000 gph at 10' head. Direct self-priming pumps are recommended. Minimum flow rate 1,000 gph; maximum flow rate 2,500 gph. So you would select a pump with the recommended optimal flow rate. The Hammerhead would be WAY too big at 4,800 gph at 10' head. You don't have to figure it out on your own, if you don't like doing so. If you are interested in any filter, call the company up and ask for their pump recommendations. I find this stuff kind of fun and like to select and choose filters, UV sterilizers and pumps where the pump flow rate and recommended flow rates for the filter and UV sterilizer match.,
But back to what I wrote earlier, knowing what you are going to do for filtration, and where it is going to go, will help you decide your stand height. In my case, we have an in-wall tank, so putting filtration under the stand was not necessary, and we got by with the low 2 ft stand. All our filtration will be behind or on the sides of the tank.
There are different models of Ultima IIs starting with Ultima II 2000 (supports 1,000=2,000 gallons) going up to Ultima II 100,000 which supports bodies of water 60,000 - 100,000 gallons. Each filter has a recommended optimal flow rate. So for whatever filter you select, you need to choose a pump that would perform at the optimal flow rate. For instance, the optimal flow rate of the Ultima II 2000 is 2,000 gph at 10' head. Direct self-priming pumps are recommended. Minimum flow rate 1,000 gph; maximum flow rate 2,500 gph. So you would select a pump with the recommended optimal flow rate. The Hammerhead would be WAY too big at 4,800 gph at 10' head. You don't have to figure it out on your own, if you don't like doing so. If you are interested in any filter, call the company up and ask for their pump recommendations. I find this stuff kind of fun and like to select and choose filters, UV sterilizers and pumps where the pump flow rate and recommended flow rates for the filter and UV sterilizer match.,
But back to what I wrote earlier, knowing what you are going to do for filtration, and where it is going to go, will help you decide your stand height. In my case, we have an in-wall tank, so putting filtration under the stand was not necessary, and we got by with the low 2 ft stand. All our filtration will be behind or on the sides of the tank.
We built in addition to our house for the fish tank. The stand and tank were moved into the house prior to finishing the outside wall. That is something else you will have to consider before deciding on the height and width of the tank. It becomes critical if you only have a standard door opening and not French doors or sliding doors. I think that's another reason many large tanks are condemned to a garage. A spendy option would be to have the tank built on site. An MFK member had that done. His tank is quite distinctive and I saw his tank on Midwest custom aquariums gallery.
If you are going to be limited by a door opening, then you will have to decide what is more important--height or width. Either the height or width will have to be limited to just under the width of the door opening. Hopefully, you won't have a door opening limiting you on your dream tank.
If you are going to be limited by a door opening, then you will have to decide what is more important--height or width. Either the height or width will have to be limited to just under the width of the door opening. Hopefully, you won't have a door opening limiting you on your dream tank.
Height is going to be the biggest factor in regards to cost. Taller tanks require thicker acrylic and thick sheets of acrylic are expensive. The cost will jump pretty quickly when you go above 30" tall. Different opinions out there on what thickness is required at different heights but IMO 3/4" is ok up to 30" tall, 1" for up to 36" and 1.5" for 48" tall.
You will also see a hefty price jump when you go past 8' length since acrylic (just like drywall and plywood) is more commonly available in 8'x4' sheets.
Be careful with just going with the cheapest builder. When you get estimates, make sure they are specifying the thickness of the acrylic they will use so that you are making an apples to apples comparison. The more reputable builders (ATM, Midwest Customs, Envision Acrylics) will not cut corners and will use appropriate thickness acrylic for the height you want.
If you are looking to go monster, are on a budget and aren't super picky about the dimensions, I would watch Craigslist like a hawk. As others have mentioned, there's no such thing as a brand new monster acrylic tank built to order that's going to be reasonable. New will cost you big bucks.
You will also see a hefty price jump when you go past 8' length since acrylic (just like drywall and plywood) is more commonly available in 8'x4' sheets.
Be careful with just going with the cheapest builder. When you get estimates, make sure they are specifying the thickness of the acrylic they will use so that you are making an apples to apples comparison. The more reputable builders (ATM, Midwest Customs, Envision Acrylics) will not cut corners and will use appropriate thickness acrylic for the height you want.
If you are looking to go monster, are on a budget and aren't super picky about the dimensions, I would watch Craigslist like a hawk. As others have mentioned, there's no such thing as a brand new monster acrylic tank built to order that's going to be reasonable. New will cost you big bucks.
Not acrylic, but this one's big and in Los Angeles:
https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/...mp-2-500-la-crescenta-ca-91214-pickup.691190/
https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/...mp-2-500-la-crescenta-ca-91214-pickup.691190/
