Equipment for new set up

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slippery slimecoat

slippery slimecoat

Polypterus
MFK Member
Jan 26, 2012
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New York
I have a 5'x2'x2' 150 gallon with a 38 gallon sump coming soon. Looking for some opinions and experiences on some equipment. This will be my first tank with a sump. It'll be drilled with a 1.5" inlet and 1" return. Was looking at the the Jebao DCT 6000 for a pump. Any feedback on this or other pumps is appreciated. Also looking for some input on a good temperature controller. Thinking about two Jager 200 watt heaters placed in the sump.
 
Specs for said pump seem to be legit...watts as well. My experience with sump returns has been mostly with submersible pumps, however, these appear to be both submersible and external. Recently I have used the gold series Reeflow hybrid pumps and the wattage to output gph ratio is right in line. If you plan on using a submerged return pump, my experience with submerged is much more extensive and I arrived at using Eheim and LifegardAquatics QuietOne series. For the money, these two were the best for me.
The real question and answer will be trying it for yourself. Get it and try it....if its too loud, send it back.....try it of course before you put fish in the tank....
As far as heaters, not much better than Jåger...unless you get into titanium professional models for way more money.
Heater controllers come in all kinds of configurations and the ones that are simple are the best in my opinion. Neptune makes a rediculously complex one for around $250 and Finnex makes one I have used quite a bit for around $30...just depends on what you need it to do. If you want to control your heater from your smartphone. ...you gotta pay up.

Good luck with the build. Take it slow and methodically and post pics when it gets all set up.
 
If it's not too late, I'd add at least one more drain as a back up. Also, do you plan to split the return into multiple lines? You may want to increase to the same diameter as the outlet on the return.

I dont have experience with Jebao, but many have and for the price I think it's a generally good DC pump. I use the Waveline DC, which I think Jebao is based off.

With the wattage you probably could just use the Finnex controller. I use a Ranco controller now as I have higher watts.
 
To clarify above, I meant increase the return to the size of the outlet on the return pump.
 
Appreciate the feedback. Unfortunately for me I didn't research as much as I should have before ordering the tank and it's too late to change it. After researching a bit, I was tossing around the idea of running my return line up the back side of the tank with pvc, and using both drilled holes to do a herbie style drain. But to be honest, a bit worried I could be getting in over my head with that, being my first sump set up. That, and I will have limited space between the tank and walls.
 
You could do that if you wanted to. If you had planned to run plumbing it is worth considering that option.

My primary drain is also 1" and you may find it's acceptable. use the 1.5" for backup. This way you know the second drain can take the volume. On the other hand there are folks that run larger primary but close off quite a bit to balance with the return flow and manage the noise.

Congrats on the new tank...it's an exciting feeling!
 
The more I think about it, the more I'm leaning toward running the return up the back of the tank. Liking the security of an emergency drain. Was thinking I could use the 1.5" as the primary drain since I'll most likely have to tune it down using a valve anyway, right?

And yeah, pretty excited for the new tank! Wish I could've went bigger, but have limited space in the room it's going in.
 
True, and that's what I meant earlier about closing off...not as articulate over the phone . Yup you can run the return fairly close to the tank and shouldn't take too much room - especially if you throw in a ninety and use a T to split into a few loclines.

It still a good size tank...we all just deal with what we have to work with. Keep us posted and take pictures when you start.
 
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