New custom 300 gal

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peterp63

Candiru
MFK Member
Feb 13, 2008
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On a boat!
Okay, I can't figure out how to post pics so here's the link to my Picassa web address: http://picasaweb.google.com/peterp63/AquariumProject02

I am planning to order a 300 gallon glass aquarium from glasscages.com within the next couple of weeks so that I can meet their deadline for their Houston delivery on July 10. This tank will be a room divider. I will be using an Aquaclear 300 wet/dry fed by overflows on each end of the aquarium (one end of the tank is butted against a pillar and the other is about 3.5 inches from the wall)... or maybe just one on one side by the wall. I felt like this would be the best placement for the overflows since they will not hinder veiwing from the sides since a wall and pillar are blocking it anyways and it would minimze obstructing the view from the front or rear glass. I will also be using an Eheim 2260 with upgrade pump (634 gph) that will feed back into the tank to a reverse flow undergravel filter. Basically, the UGF will be made up of a bunch of PVC running the entire bottom of the tank with small holes drilled and then covered with crushed coral. The concept is that the UGF will be a really good bio filter while keeping the gravel free of gunk that a typical UGF normally sees. And since the tank will house mostly cichlids that like to dig the reverse flow won't be hindered by a section of uncovered "filter"...

So, now to my questions:
1. I've never used a wet/dry filter and I want the look to be as professional as possible. What size holes should I have glasscages drill? They say that overflows typically have a 1-1/2" drain and 1" supply. Is this enough? (Oh yeah, I'll be using a mag 12 for the wet/dry's sump.) Also, could I go with just one overflow on the side by the wall??? What would you do??????

2. I was thinking to have the 2260 hoses run next to the tank on the back wall (about 3-4 inches of space to work with) and running along either side of the end overflow... For looks, should I just have glasscages drill a hole in the middle of the tank to feed the filter?? If so, what size? I know that the more holes drilled on the bottom of the tank the more chances for a disaster! <I think I've decided to go with drilling holes in the bottom glass> Where to drill the holes??

3. As you can see from the pics, I've already destroyed my wall and am currently proceeding with building the stand. Support is made up of a bunch of 2x6's and then I'm using 4 4x6's followed by 2x12's running the length of the top that the aquarium will be sitting on. Well, it will be sitting on foam on top of that. Do you think this looks to be adequately supported? I'm doing this to have room for drawers and cabinets... my goal is to make this thing look as nice as possible, but since I'm not a carpenter whatsoever we'll see if I end up hiring someone for the facing, drawers, and cabinets doors....

Let me know what you think! Any suggestions are more than welcomed!

-Peter
 
Have them drill the bottom as they would standard with any overflows. Of course you could do a sife overflow so the whole slide is your dual overflows. YOU would want duals with a large tank. I stick with the standard 1 1/2 and 1 return. It will work fine! Put the canister on the same side as your return and such to keep it looking nice.

As for the UGF we call something similar to what you are doing under water jets. Research that. If you use the jets then that will circulate the water so not to have canister in the middle.

Did I miss anything?
 
So, if I use the entire side or majority of one side of the tank as an overflow I could drill 4 holes. Two 1-1/2" holes to drain to the wet/dry and two to be used as returns (one from the wet/dry and one from the canister filter). Is that what you are recommending? Because that is one of the things that I was considering. Do you think having the overflow on only one side would hinder the water movement in the tank?

I also thought about drilling two holes in the middle of the tank (aside from the holes in the overflow) and using these as the suction and return for the canister. What do you think about that idea?

Lastly, yes, the reverse flow UGF that I will be adding is essentially a bunch of under gravel jets. This will hopefully keep the bottom nice and clean.

Also, really thinking about adding a UV sterilizer for the health and appearance of the tank. Any ideas about using one of these?

Thanks for the comments, Mike.
 
Here You go I posted them for you.


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Thanks everyone. I am still debating whether or not drilling for my canister filter inlet and outlet would be best. Looks-wise it probably will, but having all of these holes on the bottom glass is scary.

Okay to sum up the filtration: it looks like I will be using one built-in overflow on the end next to the wall that will extend nearly the entire length. This will feed a ProClear 300 wet/dry and have four holes (two 1-1/2" drains and two 1" supply). The return from the wet/dry will use one supply hole - Mag 12 pump - and it will utilize both drain holes. Debating whether or not I'll use the other hole for the return from the canister... if I really decide to go with the reverse flow UGF (jets) either way will work. The feed to the canister will likely be from a hole drilled in the bottom glass near the opposite end of the overflow. This will maximize water movement.. I think. And I will attach a UV sterilizer to the return from the canister... I think.

Anyone have experience with UV filters? Two options: 1) canister filter return - 634 gph (on label) 2) Mag 12 return - 1200 gph on label.... not sure what these equate to after compensating for head pressure and everything.

ANYTHING WILL HELP..
 
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