Not sold on my Filtration yet.

[OnceLoyal]

480 Gallons. Now that I think about it the guy kind of messed up a bit (speaking of the manufacturer). I told them I wanted 4 holes for 2 drains and 2 returns. Anyway, I got three. So I have 2 drains and one fill. No big deal I guess as the flow seems pretty good. Anyway, I have an FX5 and an 1800 gph pump in the sump (300 gallon Living Color)... I also have one of the biggest power heads made in standard production)..
I calculate 4.5 turnover per hour. I never ran such a low turnover rate before. Like EVER!!!
Stock will be 200 Neon and cardinal tetras.
2 12"+ Armatus
1 12"+ Silver Aro
1 Tiny little Royal Plec
1 Striped Raphael whom hitchhiked on a piece of driftwood.
Planned 1 RTC/TSN hybrid.

The feeding is and will continue to be well regulated. For the most part verything is individualy fed with all excess removed accept for the tetras and a few pellets for the raph.

What do you guys think?? WCs will be probably 25% every 2 weeks. Since this kind of my "prize" tank Water tests will be conducted once a week regardless if everything looks ok or not. (I usually do not do tests unless I supsect a problem)

 

[Toby_H]

DId I read correctly... you are using a 300 gal sump on a 480 gal tank?

If that is correct then the volume of your sump is going to buy you extra time between water changes with no ill effect...


I personally despise speculation... so...

I am quite confident that your current set up should allow basic biological filtration (ammonia to nitrite to nitrate) to take place... provided you have avoided dead spots...


Monitor ammonia/nitrite to confirm this is true and is remaining true as the tank developes...


Monitor nitrtes to determine if the water change schedule is adequate...


Monitor tank cleanliness to determine if mechanical filtration is sufficient...


Doing this you will "know" what is going on as opposed to you knowing what we think might be going on...

facts beat speculation every time ;-)