New 210 build

[Philter1]

I purchased a 210g reef ready tank and equipment that was originally intended for a fish only saltwater tank. Due to some unexpected events I was not able to set it up. During this time I've decided to go another direction if at all possible. I'd like to have a FW planted tank. I've had tanks for 20 years + and I've never done this before so I'd like to give it a shot. I'd like to use the equipment I have on hand if possible. Here are some questions I have after doing some basic research.

I purchased a 60g acrylic sump with this tank. My concern is loss of CO2 going through the overflows and into the sump. Will this be a problem? I saw HarleyK stiring the pot on the use of CO2 and for now I'm going to see how well it goes without one unless you all believe this will be a real issue given my intended set up.

Aside from housing equipment, 2 filter socks and sponge filter, what else should be in this sump if anything? Should I use 1 or both of my Fluval's (405's) for additional filtration?

The sump has a refugium compartment in it. Is there a counterpart to a refugium in the FW world of planted tanks? I haven't seen any reference to one (or I did but did not make the connection) but I'm new to this type of tank so thought I'd ask.

I think I have the lighting issue almost solved. I'm going with 2-250 MH fixtures with Iwasaki bulbs. I'm going to need to offset the yellow of these bulbs with another lightsource or 2. I have 2 T5 HO (80w) fixtures available. What bulb would you suggest? Would you use both or just one? (thanks to Wyldfya's post on lighting this should provide the lumens required to light this tank. If my calculations are correct I would have severely under lit this tank had I not seen his post.)

There seems to be mixed thoughts on water movement. The pump I have will provide about 6 turns per hour. Is this sufficient or will soft flow circulator's be needed?

I am leaning towards having discus in the tank with other appropriate fish or invertabrates.

I'm so excited to be doing this set up! This is a ground up build including the stand and canopy which I've begun construction on. With the help of the members on this site I'm quite sure it will be a success!! You have already been so helpful!! Thank you!

 

[mgamer20o0]

its going to be hard to keep the co2 in the water with the over flows and sump. you can try to seal up as much as you can but you should prob stick to lower light set up with out co2 needed.

prob want to put some kind of bio media in the sump too. as for the fluvals i would run them. cant hurt to have back ups i would do 2 slots sponges and 1 slot floss. they will be there just to make the water look clear polishing the water.

you could put a light over it and add fast growing plants you might not want in the main tank. i am not up on the whole refugium things so not 100% how its set up or how you can use it for fw.

for lighting i would try both mh and the t5 and see how it goes.

 

[Philter1]

hmmmmm, limited CO2 means limited flora. I was afraid of that. The main goal is a heavily planted tank so it sounds like this plan is DOA.

thank you for the response!

 

[Pharaoh]

You could always plumb a canister filter to the bulkheads on the tank and the raise the water level so that there is not a lot of turbulence. This would allow you to possibly go planted.

 

[FSM]

The lighting you listed is probably way more than you want, especially if you aren't going to use CO2.

 

[Noto]

You don't need injected CO2 for a nice planted tank! In fact, increase the turbulence- aerate the hell out of it! That'll increase the amount of atmospheric CO2 dissolved in the water. Oh, and if your overflows allow it, drop the water level a few inches and grow emergents and floating-leaved plants. They grow right up there and snatch their own CO2 from the atmosphere, they don't wait for you to do it. Drop the temps too; hot water has much lower gas saturation levels than cool water.

Plus also, screw biomedia! Plants ARE biomedia! Bacteria will just compete with them for sweet sweet nitrogen.

You really don't need the sump at all; a heavily planted tank is self-filtering, and if you eschew the heater as I suggest, a sump is just extra water volume. Not harmful, but not terribly helpful, and the return pumps are a waste of electricity.

See if you can find "Ecology of the Planted Aquarium" by Diana Walstad. It should give you some good, low tech tank ideas. You're going to be stuffing your tank with real dirt and all kinds oif things you never imagined!

 

[FSM]

The amount of CO2 that will diffuse into the water without adding pure CO2 is very low, like 5 ppm or something like that. You can't get it above that by just aerating the tank a lot.

 

[Noto]

You can't get it above that by injecting CO2 either. The saturation limit is the saturation limit, however the CO2 is being added. However, aeration helps the tank achieve the saturation limit.

*EDIT* I admit I'm getting a little over my head into the physical and chemical issues involved here. I'm going to do some research, then I'll be back. I have a strong hunch that I'm right, though.

 

[FSM]

Excess aeration will gas off CO2 if he is injecting it, not add more.

 

[Noto]

I think you are misunderstanding me. If he is NOT injecting CO2, then aeration will increase the amount of CO2 available. If he is injecting CO2, than yes, aeration will just waste it and the CO2 level will be the same as if he were not injecting any at all.

Bypassing the sump and going filterless is the best route for a CO2-injected system.