Newbie In search of Knowledge in setting up 325 gallon

[hotrodx13x]

Ok, So I am new to the site....I have had fish a good 20 years....Freshwater only.....Pirahnas, peacock bass, Arowanna's, Gar's and various catfish

I recenctly bought a custom tank (tank only) which measures 84"L x 40" H x 23.5 wide. 3/4 inch thick glass incased in steel with some kind of re-enforced bottom. It has over flow in back left corner with a total of 4 holes drilled in it.2 for supply and 2 for return. I am wanting to build a custom stand fabricated out of tube steel (what size tube steel Im not sure yet, 2 or 3 inch) I am a Pipefitter/welder so fabrication of a stand that should withhold 3k lbs shouldnt be a problem. The person I bought it from said it was $3k new for the tank....I gave him $500....Not a bad deal I would say... I plan to build it in the wall once I purchase a new house...It now resides in my parents garage...


What I was wondering is what kind of filtration should I use?....The guy before said he had a 90 gallon wet/dry sump. Is a couple of Giant canisters a better sloution or should I go with a wet dry. This tank will be used for a colony of monster fish....Peacock bass, Arrowana, Motoro rays.Gars and A couple cats.... Will this all be compatible as far as fish getting along? how many watts in heaters should I use.... How can I make use of all 4 holes predrilled in the tank? What filtration shall I use?


To all who reply with wisdom I appreciate your cooperation on reading my thread....This is a work in process.I welcome your comments.

 

[Brian_Indiana]

Welcome - For one that size and already drilled, I would use a wet/dry and an FX5. A 90 gallon wet/dry should work fine. It is big enough for you to have a ton of biological filtration and strong mechanical as well. Check out the DIY section on filters. Making one is a breeze, relatively at least.

I am surprised it is only drilled on the one end. Did the former owner drill it? Usually bigger tanks have overflows on both ends.

I would use two 400 watt heaters for a 325. I would put on in the overflow and one in the opposite corner.

The FX5 can go on the other side of the tank away from the overflow.

 

[hotrodx13x]

Ok, next question? if Im using a 90 gallon sump(I will probably be interested in buying a pre made plexi glass one if anyone has one) What will i use all 4 holes for? in the corner there is an overflow box with a standtube that accounts for 2 of the returns the supply accounts for the other 2 holes. One in top side of tank, one in bottom.

The pictures that I will try to post are from the ad for the tank. They are somewhat accurate but not the actual tank......Thanks again for the input and should be updating cell phone pictures of the actual tank sometime late this evening.

Also as far as tank mates... Will gars, mono peacocks and temensis bass, Arrowanas, Motoro rays and a couple cats all be good tankmates?

 

[carsona246]

I can't really tell from your description where all the holes are. if the four holes are all in the overflow like the picture shows I would guess they are all there for moving water to the sump. If you already have an overflow built in I might suggest that you make your own sump. It will be significantly cheaper if you do a little bit of research and make your own, especially since the overflow is the hardest part to make.

 

[hotrodx13x]

Only 2 holes are in the overflow(return) the picture is not accurate. With one of the returns having a standpipe inside the overflow. the other 2 (supply) are on the left side(outside the overflow box) one being at the top and one on the bottom. In my experiance on using a a overflow/wetdry combo you would only need one supply, one return. What would I use the second set of holes for?

I know its hard to understand so I will take the best cell phone pictures I can today of the tank. Heading to that side of town to pic up my Motoros today!

 

[indiana hurricane]

I just got this tank, these are the holes that were drilled in it.
Kinda funny/ironic

 

[carsona246]

If it's similar to indiana's picture I would guess the 2 in the overflow are meant to both flow into the sump, and the two outside would be the return into the tank.

 

[hotrodx13x]

It is similar to an extent... Here is a rough picture I took of my tank this morning. This is a picture of the back. the right side is the overflow the left goes back into the tank...Im am not familar with sump desighs but why would there be 2 of each? why not one of each? Is this purposely for a certain amount of GPH? also one of the returns in the overflow has a stand tube that actually has some sort of flexible 3 way that possibly may be a Vent? or anti siphon

 

[framcosco]

With all of the fish you plan on having in your 325, I would want to have 10x turnover minimum to keep the fishes happy. This is over 3200 GPH!! The pump running your wet/dry can only be so high...the FX5 is rated at 900+ GPH but with media and head of 3-4 ft, the GPH is reduced 800 GPH or less.....to achieve 3200 GPH or close you will need more filtration.....add a second FX5.....actually if it was me...I would add a third FX5 or combination of HOB's to get close to 3,200 GPH mark. Trust me, this is not overkill....some people go higher.......10x turnover is the magic number.........also make sure you sump has aleast 2 sock filters....

 

[hotrodx13x]

Ok, So I need two big pumps and a big sump( 90 gallons perhaps) or would it be better to run 2 mid size sumps? Like I said Im sumewhat of a Newbie.... If someone would be so kind to be patient with me and ask as many questions as needed...Maybe even refer me to some sort of diagram it would be much appreciated....