New tank filtration

[koanders]

Alright let me start off by saying thanks to MFKF this is an amazing source for info.

A little about me. I just graduated school and now have a job this equals a pay check and more free time. I have had fish tanks for a very long time but never a large one with large fish. For my next tank I want to do it right. I would like to have a tank which requires very litttle mantinace and extreamly clear water. The tank its self is a 55 gallon that was given to me. for filtration i have a bit of a wild idea. I was given two resin tanks the types that are used for water softeners. the tanks are 12" in dia and 42" tall. My plan was to use the first tank for mechanical filtration in the form of a sand filter. the second tank i would fill with bio media for bio filtration. I have another plan of feeding the tank from the bottom bellow the gravel and removing water from near the top with bulk heads and screens. I like a very clean tank without cluder so I would like to use inline heaters.

Does anyone think this will work?
Does anyone have any experience with sand filters and the back pressure that I may see?
I have some experience with sand filters on an industrial scale but don't know if it would transfer to a fish tank.

Is this way over kill for a tank?

Please any input is helpful

 

[DMD123]

Is this way over kill for a tank?

You are on MONSTER fish keepers, so it is NOT over kill.

 

[importracer]

I have tried crushed coral in one of my FilStar Xp3 canisters............Trying sand as a medium is an awsome idea........

 

[Oughtsix]

Honestly, it sounds like your will need a very big pump to push water through the sand filter. Since you are talking pool filter technology with the sand filter I think you will be looking at pool filter sized pumps which means a lot of Watts and probably a good amount of heat.

I would use a down pipe in the first filter with a bunch of holes drilled in it and wrap it with a fine filter sponge and then a coarse filter sponge around that.