My first big tank

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
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sypherz28

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Mar 11, 2008
15
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NC
Hello everyone. :newbie: I'm new to the forums and have been searching around for days trying to put together the right combination of filtration and overall setup for my 55 gal tank :goldfish: . I know I really want a seperate tank for filtration (sump i do believe) but what is the best design. I've seen so many ways but cant determine whats going to work best. Not to mention what tool would I use to cut standard Aquarium glass for the dividers?:confused:
 
you can use use a wet dry design with pads for mechanical filtration or filter socks
for the glass just use acrylic which cuts easily with a table saw, rotozip or other saws as long as u prevent it from melting by spraying water as u cut
Home depot will cut it for u if u want
BTW:welcome:to MFK
 
What type of bioload are you looking at? A couple of AquaClear HOB filters would be nice. You could also do one HOB with a cannister filter. I have a wet/dry on my 120, but would probably not put one on a 55. Of course, if you really want to, you could have some fun with a DIY. Take a look at some of the threads on this site.
 
I like dedication, but why a wet dry on a 55??????If you must, then go to your nearest STAPLES or Office Depot....Pick up one of those 3 drawer displays for $20-30.....Then go to Target and pick up a 30g rubbermaid bin, this will your sump...Fill each compartment with your desired media, make sure the top is with bioballs....Drill holes accordinaly and place the drawer in the plastic bin....Hook a pump up and run the pvc and flex tubing......

OR

DO the 2-1 COMBO....2 Aqua Clear 101's and a 3rd or 4th level Fluval or Filstar canister filter...The two 101's will take care of the mechanical while the canister will contol the biological.....This combo is perfect for a 55...Add 1-2 40% water changes per week, and you got yourself a fine clean system....
 
I noticed that the sump, if anything, looked terribly fun to build. Also I do plan on getting a bigger tank in the future and the sump can be used on that. Keep in mind also I am not yet up on the lingo so go easy on me. The reason I asked about cutting glass is becuase it's so much cheaper if you can get a successful cut. Only reason I say cheap is because I have already collected a couple broken 10 gallon tanks and stripped the good sides off of it. All I need now is a good 10 gallon that I can get for $10 as the local pet store and I can do all the hard work for next to nothing. The design that I want to put together is this:

7.jpg
 
a general rule of thumbs is that you want your sump 1/3rd the size of your tank. so for a 55g you should be looking at atleast a 20g sump, if your going to use it on a bigger tank later you might as well build a big one now, say 40g or so. that sump in the picture above is a 55g tank. not much room in a 10g tank to make an efficient W/D.
 
see I learn something new everyday. Well since I have already gotten as far as I have with the 10 gallon idea, will it hurt my system to have it made out of a 10 gallon tank? Which you are right my space is going to be pretty tight, but if anything is designed correctly it can function, right?
 
once again since i dont know the lingo, out of the listed possibilities everyone has listed so far which of these if any can also be built from scratch. Im kind of hell bent on making up things for my system and dont want to have to buy something that is pre made. Mainly cause it's no fun to do that, its the easy way out..
 
did anyone see that when those filter socks clog up water will go everywhere. they need to be placed lower so if they do clog the water will stay inside the sump no overflow
 
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