DIY VS Commercial

[jcardona1]

So...I've got a 65g with a rena xp3 on it. I'm thinking about adding more filtration and was leaning towards an ac70. Would a 10-15g sump like yours be spot on for it? Would I need to drill an overflow into my tank or use an overflow box? Do you have a construction thread somewhere?

I'm intrigued now

Other option...I could put a 10g sump like that on my 20g, and move the magnum HOT from that tank to my 65...takes care of both issues....

Yeah that would work fine. In general, a sump should be between 20-30% of the tank's volume. And no it doesn't have to be drilled. You could use a commercial overflow box or a DIY PVC overflow. Lot's of build threads on those in the DIY section

 

[honda237]

jose has you hooked up, this is my sump for my 180g, i used his design and love it. It was so easy and only cost me ~$250 for everything.

 

[Low Budget]

jose has you hooked up, this is my sump for my 180g, i used his design and love it. It was so easy and only cost me ~$250 for everything.

Thanks for the response and the pics! I traded a guy two bags of sand for a 55g and got 40# of ceramic rings.

How is your filter sock attached in the corner like that?
What pump are you running?
What are you using for heat?

Thanks!

 

[honda237]

Thanks for the response and the pics! I traded a guy two bags of sand for a 55g and got 40# of ceramic rings.

How is your filter sock attached in the corner like that?
What pump are you running?
What are you using for heat?

Thanks!

Thats a good deal.
I have them hanging on the pvc pipes with rubber coated metal cord (can't think of the proper name).
I am running a mag 12 for the sump, i also have a canister filter(rated at 500gph) on my 180g.
I am currently running a 400W heater, which isn't enough, i am going to throw in a 200W to help out.

 

[Low Budget]

You think a mag 18 would eliminate the need for a second filter? What kind of heater do you have and where is it? Any pic of the filter holder?

Thanks for the help

 

[honda237]

um, it would be alright. A mag 18 at 3' run 1375gph, so at 5' your probably looking at about 1000 since my mag 12 runs 1100 at 3' and ~800 at 5' so
your looking at a turnover rate of about 5 1/2 times an hour, Thats pretty good, but since your doing cichla, i would try to bump it up.
i can get a picture once i get home in a few hours.

I am using a cheaper brand heater, can't think of the name. Its right below the micron sock

 

[Low Budget]

Awesome! Thanks

 

[Dieselfool]

My second question has to do with the pump. I was originally going to get a Mag 12 but the LFS says a Mag 18 will work much better. I plan to plumb the return lines as follows

¾” PVC
24” rise
PVC T fitting
Approx 30” Horizontal run (X2)
Approx 40” Vertical run to nozzle (X2)

So that is approx 164” of ¾ PVC for the return lines

What pump do I need for the above plumbing with a tolerable current for Cichlids (Peacocks and Haps)?

[FONT=&quot]Any and all comments and suggestions greatly appreciated![/FONT][/QUOTE]




Go with the Mag18 IMHO. I have one on my 135 and it's working great. I have a 4' head and 5 90* elbows and about 25 or 30 1/4" drill holes in my spraybar going across the bottom of the tank, all through 3/4" PVC and the fish have no problems swimming in it. Some even play in it, hovering in front and swimming against the current. The Mag18 manual says it produces 1400 GPH at a 4' head, so I figure with my 4' and 5 elbows, I'm probibly down to 1200 GPH or maybe a little less. Hope this helps.
Al

 

[Low Budget]

Thanks Al that does help!

 

[honda237]

My second question has to do with the pump. I was originally going to get a Mag 12 but the LFS says a Mag 18 will work much better. I plan to plumb the return lines as follows

¾” PVC
24” rise
PVC T fitting
Approx 30” Horizontal run (X2)
Approx 40” Vertical run to nozzle (X2)

So that is approx 164” of ¾ PVC for the return lines

What pump do I need for the above plumbing with a tolerable current for Cichlids (Peacocks and Haps)?

[FONT=&quot]Any and all comments and suggestions greatly appreciated![/FONT]

Go with the Mag18 IMHO. I have one on my 135 and it's working great. I have a 4' head and 5 90* elbows and about 25 or 30 1/4" drill holes in my spraybar going across the bottom of the tank, all through 3/4" PVC and the fish have no problems swimming in it. Some even play in it, hovering in front and swimming against the current. The Mag18 manual says it produces 1400 GPH at a 4' head, so I figure with my 4' and 5 elbows, I'm probibly down to 1200 GPH or maybe a little less. Hope this helps.
Al[/QUOTE]

Not trying to argue, drsfostersmith said 1375 at 3'