start of fish room planning

[DB junkie]

I also do worry about the effectiveness of a UV on large setup. I know they have them for ponds but don't know how good they are. There are some other tehcniques they use in aquaculture that I want to explore as well.

Lastly I agree DB I like the idea of an easy way to set up quick and simple large water changes. That being said eventually I do want to incoorporate a drip to supplement

I am definitely leaning towards the centralized sump. I think it will be easier in many aspects. Many of plecos are breeding projects. One of my worries is that on such a large system I won't be able to manipulate the water to try to triger spawning. i wonder if it would be best to keep some of the tanks on their own with Acs and canisters for that reason.

I use pond UVs. I did a lot of research on UVs. What I came up with is Wlim is the best, seems their technology trumps everything I've looked at. However it's not cheap. I hope to eventually be running them someday but for now with my hillbilly budget TMC 110 waters seemed to be a better fit. The huge difference is pond clarifiers vs sterilizers. The even bigger misconception is just cause you have a UV sterilizer doesn't mean that it's sterilizing anything, if it's undersized or flow rates aren't right it may only be clarifying. IF it was me- I'd use 3 return pumps - Reeflo Darts. I'd use a 110 watt TMC on each of them. Basically the same thing I have now but the 3rd pump isn't running and I don't have a 3rd 110 watt uv. This should give you wayyyy more sterilization then you need. Probably close to 200 MJ/cm2. A kill rate even the pickiest could call overkill.

As far as triggering spawning, the large water change with a cooler temp and lower TDS/conductivity reading is exactly what the doctor ordered, should mimic the rainy season down south....... Especially if you can rip off that massive water change in say 10-15 minutes.........

 

[fuzzlebug]

I use pond UVs. I did a lot of research on UVs. What I came up with is Wlim is the best, seems their technology trumps everything I've looked at. However it's not cheap. I hope to eventually be running them someday but for now with my hillbilly budget TMC 110 waters seemed to be a better fit. The huge difference is pond clarifiers vs sterilizers. The even bigger misconception is just cause you have a UV sterilizer doesn't mean that it's sterilizing anything, if it's undersized or flow rates aren't right it may only be clarifying. IF it was me- I'd use 3 return pumps - Reeflo Darts. I'd use a 110 watt TMC on each of them. Basically the same thing I have now but the 3rd pump isn't running and I don't have a 3rd 110 watt uv. This should give you wayyyy more sterilization then you need. Probably close to 200 MJ/cm2. A kill rate even the pickiest could call overkill.

As far as triggering spawning, the large water change with a cooler temp and lower TDS/conductivity reading is exactly what the doctor ordered, should mimic the rainy season down south....... Especially if you can rip off that massive water change in say 10-15 minutes.........

Is the tmc 110 a good uv system? And is it a sterilizer or just a clarifier? I'm looking at uv sterilisers too.


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[Charney]

I use pond UVs. I did a lot of research on UVs. What I came up with is Wlim is the best, seems their technology trumps everything I've looked at. However it's not cheap. I hope to eventually be running them someday but for now with my hillbilly budget TMC 110 waters seemed to be a better fit. The huge difference is pond clarifiers vs sterilizers. The even bigger misconception is just cause you have a UV sterilizer doesn't mean that it's sterilizing anything, if it's undersized or flow rates aren't right it may only be clarifying. IF it was me- I'd use 3 return pumps - Reeflo Darts. I'd use a 110 watt TMC on each of them. Basically the same thing I have now but the 3rd pump isn't running and I don't have a 3rd 110 watt uv. This should give you wayyyy more sterilization then you need. Probably close to 200 MJ/cm2. A kill rate even the pickiest could call overkill.

As far as triggering spawning, the large water change with a cooler temp and lower TDS/conductivity reading is exactly what the doctor ordered, should mimic the rainy season down south....... Especially if you can rip off that massive water change in say 10-15 minutes.........

thanks for the input would you use three pumps just with the two 250s or with the 250s and the 125? About how strong of pump should each one be? I have one pump that I think a blueline bout 1800 gph or so (not exactly sure)

 

[DB junkie]

thanks for the input would you use three pumps just with the two 250s or with the 250s and the 125? About how strong of pump should each one be? I have one pump that I think a blueline bout 1800 gph or so (not exactly sure)

I'd tie most of the tanks 55 gallons or larger to the central sump. Darts are rated at like 3600 GPH for most, 4300 GPH for the Hybrids. I use them on everything 125 gallons or larger.

 

[duanes]

I run 15 various sized tanks on 3 sumps, 5 tanks to a sump, about 500 gallons give or take from each bank of tanks to one sump.
I'd probably run all on one, but because I have varying temp requirements, Uruguayans cool water, Centrals warm, and some warmer water species, the 3 sumps are needed.
If a disease pops up in one tank, it is easy enough to isolate the tank by closing the influent valve and adding a HOB filter if needed.
It is also easy to do massive water changes, because a 2" drain line from each sump runs to the yard, open the drain line valve (red), and instead of water going to the sump, it ends up in the garden. Takes only a few moments to lose 300 gallons of old water.

Most tanks are drilled and are easily connected to the sump, and drain line.

 

[knobhill]

Interesting topic. Subscribed.

Personally, I would do a central system with a couple of quarantine tanks always running. Quarantining is imo the most important factor at keep a community of fish long term. One bad apple can spoil the bunch!

I gotta ask...what is your electric bill looking like?

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[Charney]

Interesting topic. Subscribed.

Personally, I would do a central system with a couple of quarantine tanks always running. Quarantining is imo the most important factor at keep a community of fish long term. One bad apple can spoil the bunch!

I gotta ask...what is your electric bill looking like?

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Mine? with the 90, 75, 10, 25, 26, 125, and 50 I am looking at about 90 to 150 a month in a 815 sq ft apartment depending on time of year.

 

[knobhill]

That's not bad, it probably helps that they are in a small space. I have a 480, 375, 350, and 110 and pay about 400 a month; each tank is in a different room of the house. If I ran a centralized system, I could back on # of pumps, uv's, use a gas heater, and probly shave off $150/mo. Someday....

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[Charney]

That's not bad, it probably helps that they are in a small space. I have a 480, 375, 350, and 110 and pay about 400 a month; each tank is in a different room of the house. If I ran a centralized system, I could back on # of pumps, uv's, use a gas heater, and probly shave off $150/mo. Someday....

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Nice you have more big tanks then I realized. I have seen your plecos but I bet you have a nice overall collection. Though I ill not let the fiance see your post. I expect next year to be expensive with all the tanks. Once we do the final move after the rental. I plan on doing a well insulated fish room and large central system to hopefully cut down on costs. I am also taking to one of my friends about solar, which maybe a good option. This is all a year away.

The sump setup in question is for this year though

 

[knobhill]

The sump setup in question is for this year though

One recommendation: use all threaded bulkhead fittings and plumbing so that you can dissassemble and reuse in your next setup. You will be very happy!

I looked into solar and with all the juice my tanks use, a system on the house would only cover about 3/4 of the bill!