Four foot tall tank - Too tall? Or just right?

[DaveB]

If you drive it to Chicago and help me put it together I'll buy it for sure. There's a glass place a quarter mile from me too to make the cuts.

I think there's a chance that I'd cry at the sight of the first cut being made though. That tank deserves to be set up in it's full glory.

 

[Egon]

Oh I can picture it. My question actually has nothing to do with the height of our tanks. Just in general, of what benefit is the wider tube on the end for the vaccuum? Is it any more powerful a suction than just leaving the same size tubing all the way there?

I would love to set up my drip drains to go to the landscaping we'll be putting in. But this is below grade. I'd need a separate pump (and the associated failsafes) for that. Plus another hole in the block. And the need to safeguard against freezing... not worth the hassle.

The larger tube slows down the suction. Ever see a python in use? If I ran the 1" tube to the sand I would suck all the sand out of the tank. The 3" line keeps this from happening. The sand just tumbles around and all the poo gets cleaned out

Do you have a sump? Might smell though? Yeah I agree, might not be worth it for your set up.

 

[Egon]

4ft would be too tall for me, personally speaking. My old 6x3x3 was just right. I don't think I'd want a 4ft tall tank. Would look incredible, but I just wouldn't want to deal with it!

Rookie

 

[DaveB]

The larger tube slows down the suction. Ever see a python in use? If I ran the 1" tube to the sand I would suck all the sand out of the tank. The 3" line keeps this from happening. The sand just tumbles around and all the poo gets cleaned out

Ah, so I was right. That's what I thought, but there were too many other variables at play for me to be sure that was the case.

I have four 25" lengths of python. I never get satisfaction with the vaccuuming on sand. I'd rather suck a bit of sand out than have poop not make it in or take its sweet time. Sand is cheap.

 

[DaveB]

Anyone have any lighting thoughts for a tank this deep? I don't require high wattage, but I do want to see things on the bottom. Another consideration is that the projector already generates a ton of heat (although any time it is on, the tank lights won't be).

 

[DaveB]

Here's a rough draft sketch. Not exactly the piece of furniture I want, and some problem solving is required to get this to hide a screen... might also be too big for the wall even though it fits in 2D. But even this looks really nice, eh?

 

[Egon]

Ah, so I was right. That's what I thought, but there were too many other variables at play for me to be sure that was the case.

I have four 25" lengths of python. I never get satisfaction with the vaccuuming on sand. I'd rather suck a bit of sand out than have poop not make it in or take its sweet time. Sand is cheap.

I agree about the sand that's why I went with 1". Way more flow than python, I think python is 5/8th?

Great thread, hope you buy this thing and start a thread!

 

[pshtex]

honestly for me there comes a time when the tank is getting so tall that u will just have to build the tank into the house and make it big enough that you could literally swim in it

 

[DaveB]

Me starting a thread isn't a guarantee of much. My post history is littered with several stalled projects. I'm not so good at getting started on things. It's a wonder I even have the 220 set up right now.

I have to make 100% sure that there's nothing lingering in the back wall of the room that'll get in the way of me knocking it down. I want to have a perfectly centered french door in there anyway, even if I don't get another tank. It allowing me to get this into the room would just be a bonus. And it'd force me to do it sooner.

 

[Pharaoh]

French doors are big enough for an 8x3x3!