Help with my Setup

[Bfernandes]

Hello everyone!

*stock x1 Jack dempsy, x5 ish shoal of pictus catfish, +/- a mid level shoaling fish.

Im planning on upgrading from a 125L fluval to a 5ft (48x30x24) or 6ft (60x30x24) tank. Most likely the 6ft if i can convince my better half.

I have been collating a list of equipment needed for this tank so I have the funds to get everything I need around the same time. I need help with my list as I feel like I have either missed stuff off, or my equipment is not good enough for the tank!

Here is a list of equipment I am planning on getting – ***Please advise if the pieces are either not good enough or overkill for this system! Also I have attached future upgrades for this system below this list.


HELP on these please =]

· Pump – Would this pump be sufficient for my build or would I require a better one?

· Pump for UV – I guess this would depend on the UV requirements, but how would this be plumbed into the system. I would ideally like this to be connected to a rather powerful pump (Which I can control the flow) from the Return section of the sump to the beginning so I could ‘every now and then’ put the pump on full blast to clean out the sump! (If this makes sense/can logically be done)

· Filter pads/media – If I am running a bio pellet reactor would I need any additional filter media, other than just loads of sponge/the filter socks.

· T8 bulb unit to fit a 6ft tank should be sufficient, or do you know of any decent LED systems that would be better but cost around the same price?? Would like to keep some java furn/crinium.

· Would x2 weirs be over kill on a 6ft system, or does this depend on how good the return pump is for water movement??

· May be a silly question, could I run a fluval fx4 or fx6 with the system hooked directly into the sump. would it even work being connected ‘from and to’ the sump (Additional filtration not really needed, but in scope of keeping an additional filter cycled may come in use one day)

• First time using a sump - what precautions are there to stop flooding if there is a power cut/equipment failure.
• Also I have heard people complaining of sump noise, how would I minimise water slash noise?

·

Tank

6ft 60x30x24
+Sump

Sump Stuff

Jecod DCT-12000 DC Pump -£128

Smaller pump for UV - ???

Heater (Eheim Aquarium Heater 300W) x2 - £50 (x2 £25)

Filter Sock/Sock holder/Sponges - Not sure on cost here but should be under £50?

Filter media - Should I need any? - will I need it with a bio reactor?

Biopellet Reactor – Not sure on size that will fit in cabinet - £84.95

Airstone/pump/line (Eheim Air pump + Defuser) – To put in Sump for additional aeration - £31.50 + £6

UV Steriliser (TMC V2 Vectron 600) - £99.95

Plumping pieces (What do I need?) - Standard + Addon for UV? Pipe soft or hard plumb?


Inside tank

Lights - T8 Bulb unit for now or are there any LED options about the same price at the moment

Substrate - Sand – Any recommendations for Jack Dempsey, Geophagus/pictus catty tank?

Plants Java fern / Crinum Calamistratum / Mayb Anubias - Might pot the Crinum and surround with rock for scaping

Centre piece Wood with corner DIY slate cave

Total:

Aprox: £1900 Estimated £2200

Future Upgrades

Vortech Quiet MP40 x2? - 250-300ea

Vortech Pump x2? - 250 – 300 ea

Lighting Upgrade - 100-200?? No idea

Ghl profilux vs Neptune system for controlling equipment / water level probe for auto water change and safety auto shutoff. - 600-900

Total:

Aprox: £2000? Don’t know


Go easy on me, this is my first big tank and want to get it all right!

I appreciate everyone who ready and also offers feedback =D

Thanks

 

[Bfernandes]

Anyone please =]

 

[skjl47]

Anyone please =]

Hello; First thing I suggest is to break down the questions into smaller groups in their own threads. Filtration in one, lighting in another and so on

Also be patient. I noted both the initial post and this one were at 1:09 pm your time.

Good luck

 

[DRteugelsi]

Well first off 5FT is 60" and 6FT is 72. So, im not sure if the tank youre building is actually 6Ft long by going off those measurements but anyway.

as S skjl47 stated its hard to break down all of these questions one by one.

I would say no do not run the canister straight to the sump i feel like that would cause its own problems. and there are many different types of filtration "media" it really depends on your preference

as for the stock i think youre going a little overkill in terms of tank size and filtration but bigger and better is always better.

 

[skjl47]

Lights - T8 Bulb unit for now

Hello; I will talk lights a bit. Near as I can tell tank lights can be expensive if you go for some types and brands. As I often had a limited budget finding an alternative use to be a necessity, now it is a habit.
I have gone two ways with my lights over time. One is to modify hoods to accept the newer bulbs. My hoods that used fluorescent tubes now have LED screw in bulbs.
Another thing I have done in the last year or so is to adapt new fixtures for use on a tank. I have a four foot tank that had hoods which used two 18 inch fluorescent tubes. I bought a 4 foot LED shop light to use in my basement and stuck it on the 4 foot tank. It fit nicely on the cover so I left it a while. It has been on the tank more than a year now and grows plants well. I already had the cover with the glass panels so the new light was only $35 regular price and $25 on sale.
I get that some prefer the nice custom fit units or the latest tech. If you can afford these things that is one thing. If not there are ways of having decent lights for less money.

Goodluck

 

[Bfernandes]

Thanks for the reply's

Your right Skjl47 - I think i may break my questions up into smaller questions as you suggested in the designated forum sections.
Not 100% sure if going standard T8 bulbs and unit will be cheaper than LED's but I have no idea on Wattage/spectrum would be required for the LEDs

Drteugelsi - Your absolutely right I ,miss calculated the tank size, thanks for correcting me!
I think im going for a bigger setup and filtration so I have room to play about with additional stock or future re-works. I was thinking of adding a shoal of Geophagus to that system but not 100% sure yet!

Thanks again for the replies

 

[DRteugelsi]

Thanks for the reply's

Your right Skjl47 - I think i may break my questions up into smaller questions as you suggested in the designated forum sections.
Not 100% sure if going standard T8 bulbs and unit will be cheaper than LED's but I have no idea on Wattage/spectrum would be required for the LEDs

Drteugelsi - Your absolutely right I ,miss calculated the tank size, thanks for correcting me!
I think im going for a bigger setup and filtration so I have room to play about with additional stock or future re-works. I was thinking of adding a shoal of Geophagus to that system but not 100% sure yet!

Thanks again for the replies

No problem just wanted to make sure. If you go geophagus I recommend looking into winemilleri they’re beautiful they get pretty big though.

 

[twentyleagues]

Thanks for the reply's

Your right Skjl47 - I think i may break my questions up into smaller questions as you suggested in the designated forum sections.
Not 100% sure if going standard T8 bulbs and unit will be cheaper than LED's but I have no idea on Wattage/spectrum would be required for the LEDs

Drteugelsi - Your absolutely right I ,miss calculated the tank size, thanks for correcting me!
I think im going for a bigger setup and filtration so I have room to play about with additional stock or future re-works. I was thinking of adding a shoal of Geophagus to that system but not 100% sure yet!

Thanks again for the replies

You can get t8 led bulbs that are pretty awesome in 6500k or 8000k I saw also. Lows home depot or menards. A 4' t8 and 2 t8 6500k bulbs cost around $35. Grows plants well.