Picked up a 535

[mrrobxc]

Have you started thinking through heating yet? If possible do an autodrip too

I am in process of fully finishing and insulating my garage which is where this tank and another will go. I’m in Southern California but high up on a hill. Doesn’t get too cold except for the worst winter nights where the outside temp will drop into the low 40’s.

I plan to use 2 300 watt heaters to keep my tank at 82F. I’m hoping that is enough since my ambient temperatures will be around 60F on the coldest night. I could be totally off here. How many watts do you think will be sufficient?

 

[mrrobxc]

As for auto drips, I don’t have a drain in my garage. I do have a laundry sink but don’t plan on running hosing to it for the drip. What attracts me to the ultima filter is the back flush option that I could use to drain my tanks during water changes. But I could accomplish the same with hosing nd a pump I throw into the tank.

The plan is to fill up two 50 gallon rolling brute trash cans for the waste water which I’ll then roll out to my yard and use my pump/hose combo to water my lawn and plants with. All to conserve water which is $$$ here in arid SoCal.

 

[Dis]

If you have really light stocking this could work but moving those two trash cans will get old real fast. Just plan on a pump and hose long enough to whatever part of the yard you want to water.

For heaters go with titanium heaters they come in 500 and 1000 watts and use a controller. A controller is a great safety feature to make sure the heater doesn't get stuck in the on position.

Check out jehmco, or even inkbird on amazon. Super reasonable and good customer service

As for auto drips, I don’t have a drain in my garage. I do have a laundry sink but don’t plan on running hosing to it for the drip. What attracts me to the ultima filter is the back flush option that I could use to drain my tanks during water changes. But I could accomplish the same with hosing nd a pump I throw into the tank.

The plan is to fill up two 50 gallon rolling brute trash cans for the waste water which I’ll then roll out to my yard and use my pump/hose combo to water my lawn and plants with. All to conserve water which is $$$ here in arid SoCal.

 

[mrrobxc]

If you have really light stocking this could work but moving those two trash cans will get old real fast. Just plan on a pump and hose long enough to whatever part of the yard you want to water.

For heaters go with titanium heaters they come in 500 and 1000 watts and use a controller. A controller is a great safety feature to make sure the heater doesn't get stuck in the on position.

Check out jehmco, or even inkbird on amazon. Super reasonable and good customer service

That’s a good point. The garage is in the front of the house and id have to get through a pretty long walkway from the garage to get to the backyard. Maybe buying a third powerful pump and only plugging that in with a long garden hose is a better idea than the rolling trash cans. I will changed out half the water every week and will have moderate stocking. Thinking a group of Cichla Orinocensis, a pair or two of Crenicichla, 8 Geophagus Altifrons, and a Black Arowana. I’ll probably add a large Hoplarchus or a Heros pair or small group as well. Maybe a bolt cat or two. Who knows..

As for the heating, should I go with 1 1000 watt heater?

 

[nzafi]

Don’t think 600w will be enough. I’m hoping to use 600w on my tank but it’s going to be closed loop and tank top sealed. When you go with a sump you end up with more water volume and lose heater much easier. You’ll be at less than 1w per gallon based on your sump size.

You will need to look into electrical load in your garage. If you’re putting 1100w of heaters and 2 pumps on the same circuit you’ll over load it very easily.

 

[mrrobxc]

I just had the electrician install two dedicated circuits for my two tanks. One for the 535 and the other for the 280. I have a total of 4 circuits in this garage to ensure sufficient power supply.

My understanding is limited but I believe 1 circuit dedicated to this tank will be enough. I plan on having two return pumps, the heating, a couple of wave maker pumps inside the tank, and three LED pendant lights suspended over the tank. If it isn’t I’m in trouble, unless I can use some power from another circuit.

 

[JK47]

As for auto drips, I don’t have a drain in my garage. I do have a laundry sink but don’t plan on running hosing to it for the drip. What attracts me to the ultima filter is the back flush option that I could use to drain my tanks during water changes. But I could accomplish the same with hosing nd a pump I throw into the tank.

The plan is to fill up two 50 gallon rolling brute trash cans for the waste water which I’ll then roll out to my yard and use my pump/hose combo to water my lawn and plants with. All to conserve water which is $$$ here in arid SoCal.

My tanks are in the garage. I have 600 watts of heat on an 1,100 gallon setup and they rarely come on. Typically only on the coldest days in the winter here. It’s possible but takes some planning. My garage is insulated as well and drip is heated. Additionally I have to pump drip effluent out of the garage. Basically I have the same’ish l setups so if I can answer some questions lmk. I’ve already gone through a lot of the proof of concept and fail points etc...

I would stick to the sump, save a few bucks and skip the bead filters. They are spendy for anything less than a serious bioload.

 

[JK47]

I just had the electrician install two dedicated circuits for my two tanks. One for the 535 and the other for the 280. I have a total of 4 circuits in this garage to ensure sufficient power supply.

My understanding is limited but I believe 1 circuit dedicated to this tank will be enough. I plan on having two return pumps, the heating, a couple of wave maker pumps inside the tank, and three LED pendant lights suspended over the tank. If it isn’t I’m in trouble, unless I can use some power from another circuit.

What amp circuit was installed? If 20 you’re good to go and then some. If 15 you should be just fine just be careful not to overload the circuit.

 

[mrrobxc]

What amp circuit was installed? If 20 you’re good to go and then some. If 15 you should be just fine just be careful not to overload the circuit.

They are 20amps. Since I was able to design the garage from scratch, I was able to get the additional circuits put in in the locations I plan to put my tanks. If I ever feel like I’m pushing it too much on the circuit I’m using for the 535, I can always run an extension cord over to the circuit I’m using for the 280 since I doubt I’ll even get close to maxing out with the much smaller tank.

Great to know that the heating you are using is mostly a non issue. By the time this tank is up and running, it’ll be well into spring, early summer. I doubt I’ll need much heat and can always reassess in the winter to see if I need to add anymore heaters. I’m hoping I won’t have to for the sake of my power bill.

 

[mrrobxc]

My tanks are in the garage. I have 600 watts of heat on an 1,100 gallon setup and they rarely come on. Typically only on the coldest days in the winter here. It’s possible but takes some planning. My garage is insulated as well and drip is heated. Additionally I have to pump drip effluent out of the garage. Basically I have the same’ish l setups so if I can answer some questions lmk. I’ve already gone through a lot of the proof of concept and fail points etc...

I would stick to the sump, save a few bucks and skip the bead filters. They are spendy for anything less than a serious bioload.

Thanks for the tip on the bead filter. That’ll save me a ton. I’ll definitely ask a lot more questions as I begin to get things built. Right now I’m pricing out stand options. I don’t think I can find an affordable metal stand around here unless someone has a lead they can share with me. SoCal in La Crescenta.