Monster 822 gallon (ext) aquarium build thread

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
I want to give you my honest opinion on draining a trickle to the yard. At least I can give you pro's and con's

Disclaimer: I've been using a trickle system for 5 years now, two different houses. I continued to use the drain to the yard method when I moved to my new house. Also I'm Polish......

The good part for me is reusing the water. I live in the desert and this is very important. Another good part is it's easy to punch a hole behind the fish tank and send a drain pipe out.

Bad part is there's way too much water going out to the yard. I always have a soggy spot in my yard. So soggy if I don't move the drain location I worry the tree I'm watering will fall down in a high wind. I have a system of hoses going to each set of trees (three sets, six total trees). Every week or so I plug a line and remove another plug to change up the watering location. It's a PITA. You would think 120 degrees here in Phoenix would give me more time between watering with evaporation and all, but it doesn't.

Something to think about.
 
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Egon said:
I want to give you my honest opinion on draining a trickle to the yard. At least I can give you pro's and con's

Disclaimer: I've been using a trickle system for 5 years now, two different houses. I continued to use the drain to the yard method when I moved to my new house. Also I'm Polish......

The good part for me is reusing the water. I live in the desert and this is very important. Another good part is it's easy to punch a hole behind the fish tank and send a drain pipe out.

Bad part is there's way too much water going out to the yard. I always have a soggy spot in my yard. So soggy if I don't move the drain location I worry the tree I'm watering will fall down in a high wind. I have a system of hoses going to each set of trees (three sets, six total trees). Every week or so I plug a line and remove another plug to change up the watering location. It's a PITA. You would think 120 degrees here in Phoenix would give me more time between watering with evaporation and all, but it doesn't.

Something to think about.
Click to expand...

Hey Egon, you know I am glad you brought this up because it did cross my mind, I just figured with me having so much yard space it would be fine and spread, but I can see where it may puddle in one area. Other than moving the drain from time to time or putting an extension to direct the water some where else like you mention, I guess running a long pipe to the street drain could be an option.
Was there any other ideas you may have had if you could do it all over again???
 
Egon said:
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c47/armstead/037.jpg

I have two of those controllers, I love them. I'm going to buy 3 more for my fish room. I didn't know you could get them with the heaters.
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Well this is good to hear, becasue this is my first time using the controller. Yes Jehmco has then and you can have them modified to use two heater up to 2000 watts on one controller.
 
doviiman said:
Well this is good to hear, becasue this is my first time using the controller. Yes Jehmco has then and you can have them modified to use two heater up to 2000 watts on one controller.
Click to expand...

That's what I like about them. I have four 300 watt heaters hooked up to just one controller, 1 in each sump and one on each side of the tank. I wanted to keep the temps as close to the same in all areas of the tank. The system works but could be a little over kill for a 450 gallon?
 
doviiman said:
Hey Egon, you know I am glad you brought this up because it did cross my mind, I just figured with me having so much yard space it would be fine and spread, but I can see where it may puddle in one area. Other than moving the drain from time to time or putting an extension to direct the water some where else like you mention, I guess running a long pipe to the street drain could be an option.
Was there any other ideas you may have had if you could do it all over again???
Click to expand...

If I could do it over again I would of used a 2" main drain line behind my tanks that goes out to the yard. I'm using a 1.5" line now and I'm adding another tank to this drain right now, a 120 gallon.

As far as where the water drains I'm happy with it. I hate to just put the water down the sewer but that would be simpler. It's very good water for the plants and trees.

If possible, I would like to dig out and install an underground tank. I would direct rain water, my RO filter water and all my fish tank water to that tank and run a pump on it to water my lawn. I just don't think that would be cost effective, even here in Phoenix water is cheap.
 
JK47 said:
:thumbsup: you bet bro! I love your work so far, lots of $$$ being spent on this setup being done the right way.
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Thanks, bro, I was on the fence about it for sometime, but considering you never see tanks above 500 gallons with 3D background, (well at least I had not), thought I'd give it a shot to be different..
Yes by the time I add this all up, (which I don't really want to know) I am sure, there could have been a small car purchase..:ROFL:
Actually I put off upgrading my home theater room with B&W (Browers and Wilkins) speakers and Classe' components, if anyone here is familiar with their Hi-fi equipment.
 
Egon said:
If I could do it over again I would of used a 2" main drain line behind my tanks that goes out to the yard. I'm using a 1.5" line now and I'm adding another tank to this drain right now, a 120 gallon.

As far as where the water drains I'm happy with it. I hate to just put the water down the sewer but that would be simpler. It's very good water for the plants and trees.

If possible, I would like to dig out and install an underground tank. I would direct rain water, my RO filter water and all my fish tank water to that tank and run a pump on it to water my lawn. I just don't think that would be cost effective, even here in Phoenix water is cheap.
Click to expand...

You mentioned using 2'' drain vs 1.5'', is this becasue you have more than two tanks going to this drain or 2'' would be safer for clogging? Becasue I was thinking only 1'' drain pipe, that would be draining water T-off'ed from both sumps. No, Yes? Or you think I should use a 2'' drains per sump?
 
Cool, I have the same heater in the 500 watt version, and just set up the same auto water change system...

Instead of drilling through the sump just above the overfill line for the drain, you could drill just below the water line and put a 90 degree elbow on the inside. This way, you can turn the elbow up for a higher water line, or down to lower the line. I thought of doing this rather than drilling a hole that I couldn't modify the level with and I'm glad I did.
 
dxdx said:
Cool, I have the same heater in the 500 watt version, and just set up the same auto water change system...

Instead of drilling through the sump just above the overfill line for the drain, you could drill just below the water line and put a 90 degree elbow on the inside. This way, you can turn the elbow up for a higher water line, or down to lower the line. I thought of doing this rather than drilling a hole that I couldn't modify the level with and I'm glad I did.
Click to expand...
I am trying to vision your idea, its sounds like a really good idea, but what pipe would you be connection for it to run outside. Any pictures of this, i like the idea though..
 
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