My DIY project, Sump...Stand...Hood...Background

[john73738]

Hello,

Starting my first DIY project and looking for comments on my initial designs. My project is a Stand for my 75 gallon Cichlid Tank that has a build in sump filter underneath. My goal is to filter 750 +- gph. The project will also include a DIY under gravel filtration system, homemade caves, 3d background with hood. Phew. Here are a couple of pictures of my design done on google sketchit.


Ok here is the method to my madness, Water will be mechanical filtered in a chamber in the oversized overflow. then it will syphon out into a 3" pvc pipe with pot scrubbers for bio filtering. After that it drops into the first chamber.

The water then overflows into the 2nd chamber that may (most likely) be planted.

Then it finally overflows to the 3rd chamber the return chamber.

Other key features to the project,

The return will have a “T” joint with a ball valve to control the return flow, and add extra oxygenation.

Heater will be in the second chamber.

I understand that this is serious overkill for a 75 gallon cichlid tank. My reasoning is that I can be on the road a lot for work, and this will help my Wife to be, and her 3 sons be able to better take care of the tanks. Also I am setting up a 55 gallon planted tank as soon as I set up those inhabitants a new home and I heard that this is the way to go for planted tanks. Also SW is in the future.

Any questions please ask, and I would love feedback on my design.

Tanks

Bear

here are the drawings


Original sump designs, some changes in mind but this is the skinny of it...

Here are pics of sump in stand

Bio Filter. Media will be replaced with bio filter media (pot scrubbers, bio balls, rings.... dunno yet)

Comments encouraged good bad or otherwise...............

 

[Pharaoh]

You would not want a sump if you are going to do a planted tank. The agitation of the water will cause the Co2 to deplete.

Also, the water should flow underneath the divider between the second and third chamber. This will force the water through the biological filtration.

 

[kallmond]

If his plants are not 100% submerged (Mangrove, Lucky Bamboo?), they should be able to pull the required co2 from the air?

I'm no expert on aquarium plants, but I think I've seen pictures of planted sumps that pretty much only the roots were underwater to grab nitrites out of the water.

 

[Pharaoh]

If his plants are not 100% submerged (Mangrove, Lucky Bamboo?), they should be able to pull the required co2 from the air?

I'm no expert on aquarium plants, but I think I've seen pictures of planted sumps that pretty much only the roots were underwater to grab nitrites out of the water.

I think the difference here would be a planted tank vs a plant refugium. It is strongly suggested to use canister filters on planted tanks, but nitrate reducing refugiums are a different story. I believe the OP is speaking of an actual planted tank.

 

[kallmond]

I just re-read his post..

The water then overflows into the 2nd chamber that may (most likely) be planted.

made me think he was building a refugium in his sump..

but then at the end of his post he said:

Also I am setting up a 55 gallon planted tank as soon as I set up those inhabitants a new home and I heard that this is the way to go for planted tan

So that makes your advice spot on too.

 

[Pharaoh]

Everyone wins! LOL

Planting methods definitely depend on the intended purpose.

 

[john73738]

I have heard that sump is not the best for planted tanks. the second chamber will be planted for bio filtering

 

[john73738]

Sorry copied a doc that I wrote for that post and forgot to take out the planted tank part

 

[john73738]

How funny, I didn't remember this thread. God I was a green horn here.

Thanks all, I have learned a lot from everyone here. Instead of this project I now have a 240g ply tank...