NEW 375 PREDATOR SETUP

[CMP168]

Hey guys. I had posted about canister vs sump filtration for a 265 I was possibly going to buy and another amazing deal came on my plate to purchase a 375 acrylic tank for next to nothing... I mean seriously, I basically got this thing for free so I went ahead and locked it down sight unseen.

My question, based on the photograph (I have to drive several hours in moving truck to see it/pick it up Sunday) What all does it appear I will need to complete the built in sump setup. It looks like a nice 2000-3000GPH pump is all that is needed to get this thing up and running but I'll leave that advice up to you guys. Anything else I should do to the filtration? Obviously the whole tank needs a good cleaning and possible buffing but that's not an issue for me. Any suggestions on light, and decorations?

The fish that will be going into it so far are, (2) 4-5 inch chocolate cichlids, (2) 3-4 inch datnoids, (1) 5 inch oscar, (5) 4 inch balas, (2) 2 inch firemouth cichlids and (1) 6 inch Flagtail Prochilodus. I want to use white PFS and possibly add a Ray. I've asked around my LFS and they recommend not putting plecos with rays so my 14inch pleco will stay in my 125 for now.

Any comments or ideas would be awesome.

Thanks!

 

[Red Cichlids]

Sweet set-up! Pics one and three didn't load for me though.

 

[CMP168]

For some reason when I uploaded the image it put giant white bars above and below the image.
I was floored when I saw the posting. The guy just wanted to get rid of it though, so my gain I guess.
Am I correct that it’s simply a built in sump and a decent GPH pump will complete the setup after a nice clean?
If you can’t tell with the single image I’ll add more tomorrow afternoon after I get it!

 

[Red Cichlids]

Yes, it looks like an internal trickle filter, but I can't really tell from the picture where you would put a large pump. It looks like it might use a pump on each side?

 

[Gourami Swami]

Looks like an "all in one" style tank with built in sump in the back. I use small ones like this for my saltwater setups, never seen one that big though!

They are pretty solid filtration systems, usually there is an overflow, baffles to allow media in a middle chamber or two, and then a pump chamber. Looks like your pump chambers are on the ends, the vertical tube you see will bring water from pump back into the display. Overflows looks like they are in the middle, and water is moved from middle to the ends. Mechanical media (filter floss, socks etc) would probably be in those empty middle chambers.
I would assume you need to buy a couple pumps, looks like there is plenty of bio-media you could wash and re-use. You will want to leak test the tank well, especially since it's so much water. You may need to buy some weldon to repair it if you have cracks, and will probably have to buff the tank to get it clean and clear.
Nice score on the tank, sounds like it will be a cool setup

 

[CMP168]

AWESOME. Thank you guys. I appreciate the advice. I'll try and get some clearer pictures uploaded tomorrow afternoon.

I'm setting it up on 2x6s in my garage to buff it all out, get all the hard water stains off etc, and then fill her up for probably 2 weeks to see if there are any issues. According to the seller there are no cracks, and minimal scratching, it's just filthy. Seeing is believing on this one.

How does one attempt to manage the filtration on something like this? Maintenance etc? I would assume that will all the media in there it will just kind of do its own thing with minimal effort on my part but I want to be sure I understand the ins and outs of this before I just jump in and screw something up.

I've also been tossing around the idea of sand as I would love to eventually get a ray once the tank has had time to get established. Any recommendation on Aragonite sand vs PFS? I'm thinking white or black sand. and some LARGE vertical drift wood pieces in the corners and some rock caves but for the most part I'd like to tanks to be open as the fish going in there will all be quite large. Any suggestions there?

Thanks again all! I appreciate this community so much!

 

[CMP168]

I'm attaching some pics as promised. I need to upgrade all 4 pumps and am thinking about putting in Black Diamond *medium* grit sand. The best option I can find considering the amount of sand that will be necessary.

Beyond vinegar and magic erasers along with Novus to finish off everything would simply washing this thing off with a garden hose be the recommendation to start the clean?

With it being acrylic, I don't want to cause micro scratches from the dust and dirt by simply wiping it off.

Any advise would be great.