Filtration help for 150 gallon tank

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
ok, ok, no UGF, lol. But they are all i've known so far... :screwy:

Also, would the overflow be inside the tank or outside? I've looked up W/D filtration and got all confused... especially when I read the sticky thread on filtration to tanks.

What I do understand (somewhat)
1.) Need an overflow.. don't know why (for overflow maybe?)
2.) Can use a smaller tank below real tank for ?sump?
3.) W/D systems I've looked up are all expensive (well for a 15 year old w/o a job, lol), and the DIY W/D need to be simplified for my tiny mind :irked:
4.) W/D does an excellent job filtering and needs little space in the back of the tank... Does bio, chem, and adds more oxygen to water

:popcorn: :popcorn: umm... help the :newbie: please... :popcorn: :popcorn:
 
Dr Joe;815063; said:
Whoa...2" inches from the wall and underneath is ok...That screams W/D. A 1.5" overflow fits perfectly in back.

Bderick67 is right about the UGF and rock tho.

Dr Joe

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Click to expand...

Good catch Dr. Joe, my brain was on vacation and I was just visualizing the big hang on back overflows that I have.:duh:

A wet/dry filter really would be your best bet, you are gonna have a heavy bioload with those large fish. Wet /dry will give you the best biological filtration. I would still add a rena xp3 ($100) or if ya can aford it get the xp4($170) for mechanical filtration.

Basic parts of a wet/dry sump;

Overflow, click this link this may help you understand how the overflow works http://www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/overflow.htm

sump with bio media, this can be a fish tank or rubbermaid container. The most economical media is pot scrubies.

Return pump this will cost ya for a decent one, I believe for around a $100 you can get a pump that does 1200-1500 gallons per hour.
 
Ok, here we go...

Over-flow inside or out...yes

1) Overflow seems to be a misnomer but it's not. It is easier to describe it as a siphon (which it is not) water is actually pushed up thru this pipe and over the top of the tank and down to the W/D.

2) Yes, or a large plastic tub http://www.target.com/gp/detail.htm...4/601-8392708-9497724?ie=UTF8&asin=B000AVMU3O
or
http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=5&item=163215

3) $10-$20 for the tub above, $15-$20 for the over-flow parts http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15733
$10 for course A/C filter, $10 for fine filter material (poly-fil), $30 dollars (6 for a $1) for scrubbies http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39147&highlight=scrubbies see post #8, you can get them from Big lots or Dollar tree. And a pump $70-$100 watch craigs list and ebay (harbor freight has a couple but they're for an advanced class).

4) Yep.

Ok so we've cleared up a couple of things...now we get down to business.

1) What's your budget?

2) How long do you have to get this running?

3) Do you know where a Home Depot is? (:D )

4) Do you have access to tools (drill, laser guided hack saw, tape measure, sand paper, caulking gun etc.)?

Re-read the sticky on over-flows and I'll see if I can find a link to one of these things here.

Dr Joe

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Just something to consider. I have a 150 gallon tank that is currently filtered using 3 XP3's. That would run you around $300. I used to do weekly 50 gallon water changes ( I now do 50% changes - more time available now). All levels were good. Ammonia and nitrite - 0 with the nitrate getting up to the 15-20ppm range. The tank houses a 10+" GT, 9" Lyonsi, 8-9" Breidohri, 8" Bleekeri, 8" Lent. pike and 4 scavengers.

Wet/fry filters are inherently better but this setup works great for me.
 
ok....

1.) My budget is between 0 and about $250 maybe a little higher
2.) To get it running, I have all the world, except my little fish are little no longer so the sooner the better.
3.) Home Depot is just around the corner (not literally) but its about a 10 minute drive.
4.) We have lots of tools! (dad used to be a plumber) but no idea what a laser hack saw is...

I love lists.. they simplify things :grinno:

Thanks for the help!
 
Plumber huh?! COOL! He's going to come in handy :D .

See..when you get it, it's simplicity itself.

No, there isn't...Closest thing is putting the filter higher than the tank, pump up to it and gravity feed back to the tank.

You can purchaase ready made over-flows http://www.aquacrylics.com/ or similar. Check ebay.

The link for the over-flow I listed is self restarting if the power goes out and won't continue to flow if the power goes out either.

Dr Joe

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Acrylic & PVC / CPVC / ABS use solvents to assemble them.

If your thinking acrylic, it will take a little more work as acrylic edges need to be perfectly straight and smooth ( the solvent looks like alcohol, very thing and doesn't fill gaps).

No problem. :D

Dr Joe

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