Idea for new tank: 60x24x24, 2x Fluval FX5, drilled base...

[robst3]

Hello ladies & gents.

I am deciding on a new tank for my Fahaka puffer. Its going to be positioned in the middle of a room, viewable from all angles, so I don't want any filter hoses running up the outside of the tank. I plan on getting the tank drilled in its base so I can hook up my 2 Fluval FX5 filters directly from underneath. I then want some sort of plastic fittings connected on the inside of the tank to take the inlet/outlets above the substrate (and near the water surface for the outlet).

Is this viable?

Thanks,

Rob

 

[rasa92re]

By "deciding on a new tank", do you mean constructing one yourself or buying a acrylic/glass one? You'll have to be careful with drilling.

If it's going to be viewable from all angles then the PVC coming up from the bulkheads need to be decorated. You can spray paint them and make them work into the aquascaping. For instance, you can sand them and silicone on sand or gravel to disguise the bare white pipe. You just have to make sure it's done well so that whatever material you use does not get sucked in my the FX5. I hae one and I my first spray panting job was done wrong; I ended up with some paint in my FX5. It wasn't a big deal but gravel or sand can cause a larger problem.

In short, it's viable.

 

[robst3]

Sorry, by deciding I meant on what size and setup! I won't be building it myself as much as the idea appeals. I will be getting the tank built for me and I will ask them to add some bulkhead fittings whilst they are at it. I'm going to set up the rest of the piping myself though.

I was originally thinking of using black PVC coming up from the bulkheads but do like the idea of decorating them.

Is the idea of 2 FX5s the best? Or would a sump setup be preferable? I already have the two FX5s but they both need new impellers so I would still need to spend a bit of money to get them running.

 

[rasa92re]

I am not very familiar with the Fahaka puffer so I can't give a defnite size. You should look at here care sheet here on MFK (in the puffer subforum).

I defnintiely suggest disguising them if it's a tank viewable from all angles. Look at 2 of my older threads. In one I made a cave out of PVC and gravel and in another I made a backgroud and used sand (which can be applied to PVC). It's very simple and all you need is PVC, sand paper, silicone and whatever medium you choose to use.

The Fx5 impellers can cost $10-50 American dolalrs depending where you look. If you find a good sale go ahead and use the cansiters. Personally, I'd go with only 2 bulkheads and a sump (which is easier to manage than 2 FX5s) instead of 3 or 4 bulkheads and 2 FX5s. The least amount of holes in your tank, the better.

 

[robst3]

Hmm I've never had a tank with a sump before but it does appeal. I like the idea of hiding the heater away too, and I think it would be easier if I ever decide to convert to marine in the future.

I don't want a weir taking up the corner of the tank though - is there any other way of plumbing in a sump?

 

[robst3]

I've just found out that fluval made a tank with the exact set-up I originally had in mind: the fluval profile 1500. I've attached a picture from the user manual showing the setup. The 1500 has two external filters plumbed in through 4 holes in the base though. I'm going to keep on the lookout for a 2nd hand 1500 (they stopped making them a while back) and get some quotes for a custom build too.