My 500 Gallon 8' x 4' x 25"

[TheCanuck]

The substrate is Caribsea Sunset Gold mixed with Caribsea Black Moon.

Two hundred pounds seems low I know, but I'm looking for barely an inch of coverage. Just something for the bottom, i don't mind if it gets swiped around and bare spots show every so often. I have two extra bags of sunset gold to clear in any spots that desperately need more.

As for the heating situation, I agree that two 250 watts will likely not be enough but it's what came with my package deal which is why I've mentioned it. My basement stays pretty warm because of all the tanks and the water is generally above room temperature. I'll give it a few days and see how much extra heat I think I'll need. I have a lot of extra heaters laying around.

Thanks for the input!

Michael

I don't even have a heater on my 360, I use fans to bring down the temp. With all the pumps running on big tanks they really heat up your tank water. I honestly think 2 heaters will be more than enough

 

[Chromobotia]

The substrate is Caribsea Sunset Gold mixed with Caribsea Black Moon.

Two hundred pounds seems low I know, but I'm looking for barely an inch of coverage. Just something for the bottom, i don't mind if it gets swiped around and bare spots show every so often. I have two extra bags of sunset gold to clear in any spots that desperately need more.

As for the heating situation, I agree that two 250 watts will likely not be enough but it's what came with my package deal which is why I've mentioned it. My basement stays pretty warm because of all the tanks and the water is generally above room temperature. I'll give it a few days and see how much extra heat I think I'll need. I have a lot of extra heaters laying around.

Thanks for the input!

Michael

In winter on my 500, I had an 800 watt heater that I thought might let me squeak by. I had a real hard time maintaing temp. I through another 400 watt heater in there and it was a little better. For this winter, I'm going to get another 800 watt heater and call it a day. Granted my tank is not in the basement.

My tank is 8 ft long and 3 ft wide. 200 lbs of substrate game my less than an inch coverage. Your tank is a foot wider, you may need 50-100 lbs more. In the end, who knows what it will look like until you put the substrate in there.

I definately think you'll need more heaters.

 

[Madding]

I don't even have a heater on my 360, I use fans to bring down the temp. With all the pumps running on big tanks they really heat up your tank water. I honestly think 2 heaters will be more than enough

Good to know, I hope I find myself in the same situation.

 

[Madding]

In winter on my 500, I had an 800 watt heater that I thought might let me squeak by. I had a real hard time maintaing temp. I through another 400 watt heater in there and it was a little better. For this winter, I'm going to get another 800 watt heater and call it a day. Granted my tank is not in the basement.

My tank is 8 ft long and 3 ft wide. 200 lbs of substrate game my less than an inch coverage. Your tank is a foot wider, you may need 50-100 lbs more. In the end, who knows what it will look like until you put the substrate in there.

I definately think you'll need more heaters.

There are already some pictures of the tank with substrate in it a few pages back.

 

[harry1227]

Where do you guys get such big tanks from ? Are they very expensive ? where do you guys get all those exotic fish from ? I've been looking and NY has no place I can buy big monster fish ..any help or advice I would appreciate.

 

[Madding]

Where do you guys get such big tanks from ? Are they very expensive ? where do you guys get all those exotic fish from ? I've been looking and NY has no place I can buy big monster fish ..any help or advice I would appreciate.

You can either build your tank yourself, find a private aquarium dealer, or order one online. Also keep your eye on craigs list and the buy/sell here, there are constantly monster tanks for sale.

Every exotic monster fish (except my FRT) I have was purchased from members here and vendors here.

 

[Poekin]

I tried to google the sump you listed, but can't seem to find it. Can you provide a link?

If you have the sump up and running I'd love to know how it's performing. I'm setting up a 240g and have no experience with sumps, so something out of the box may be the route I'm taking.

 

[Madding]

I tried to google the sump you listed, but can't seem to find it. Can you provide a link?

If you have the sump up and running I'd love to know how it's performing. I'm setting up a 240g and have no experience with sumps, so something out of the box may be the route I'm taking.

I'll try to get some details from the guy who hooked me up with it. That's the name he gave me for it and he brought it over as is - no box.

Michael

 

[Chromobotia]

There are already some pictures of the tank with substrate in it a few pages back.

I obviously skipped a few pages there. I went back, looks good.

 

[Madding]

I obviously skipped a few pages there. I went back, looks good.

No worries, and you're right, it is paper thin in some spots, needs another bag at least just to even it out.