Hello, and thank you very much in advance for any information you may provide.
I'm planning on getting a 340gal and I have a 150gal. I want to get a common sump for both tanks and install a "Big Tuna" denitrator (http://www.aquaripure.com/productpages/ANF1081.htm) in the sump. The 340 is 96Lx30Wx29H and the stand and tank will be custom Aqueon just like the 150 model so it should have ample room for a huge sump. A 200+ tank should fit comfortably in the stand under the custom 340 as long as it's not too tall.
My first question has to do with the configuration of the tank itself. I haven't formally ordered the 340 yet and I don't know whether I should get it drilled and with overflows from the factory. Let me state up front that I don't really know anything about sumps. I've never set one up. The 150 isn't drilled and doesn't have overflows. To be honest, I'm not sure exactly what that means as far as setup goes. From what I understand, it seems like it's better not to have it drilled and with factory overflows because it's not a very difficult or expensive obstacle to overcome using accessories if it's not "drilled and overflowed" from the factory. To me, it seems like the tank will be more versatile if I can run it without the presence of an overflow/return destination if all it takes is a couple sub-$100 parts to give it an "add-on" overflow and return. Can somebody explain what the drawbacks of the add-on overflow and return solutions are and why having holes drilled in the tank and overflows added would be preferable? Keep in mind that I don't plan on installing the sump immediately. The 150 currently has 2 Rena SP3s for filtration, and I plan on getting 2 FX5s for the 340 and setting it up for a couple months before I add the common sump/denitrator, and even after the common sump/denitrator are present I intend to keep all 4 canister filters running. I'd also like the option of disconnecting the shared sump and running both tanks in standalone mode, so it seems to me like keeping it pristine would be a better option.
Next question is size. And if there are any pre-made products that anybody recommends to tackle my bio-load. Stock list between the two tanks is as follows(they are currently in a 150 and 80):
22" Royal Clown Knife
17" Giant Gourami
18" Fire Eel
12" Pike Cichlid(Atapabo II)
Adult Oscar
Adult Severum, 10"
Two 7" Earth Eaters
3.5" Blue Phantom Pleco
7" L330 Watermelon Pleco
10" Normal Black Pleco
12" Tiger Shovelnose Catfish
21" Ornate Bichir
Obviously these are some monster fish with some monster appetites, and many of them are just getting started growing. I'll probably end up picking up a few more specimens that will fit in, being very selective, over the coming years as well since I'll have the added capacity of the 340. Most of them have lived together all of their lives and they all seem to thrive as long as I keep the pH around 7.0. I would like to feed these fish a lot, because I want them to grow quickly and it's downright amazing how much some of these fish can eat! I'm sure my fellow MFKer's know what I'm talking about here. So, how large of a sump should I get? And is there something I can just order online that will gracefully handle my bio-load? What accessories and media do I need if I can buy something pre-made, and do you have any recommended resources if I need to buy a tank and make my own?
And the last question, does anybody have experience with the Aqueon stands? Will it be structurally sound with a huge sump sitting under the tank?
Again, thanks for any help offered. I just don't have the time to research all of this right now, too much work to do lately.
I'm planning on getting a 340gal and I have a 150gal. I want to get a common sump for both tanks and install a "Big Tuna" denitrator (http://www.aquaripure.com/productpages/ANF1081.htm) in the sump. The 340 is 96Lx30Wx29H and the stand and tank will be custom Aqueon just like the 150 model so it should have ample room for a huge sump. A 200+ tank should fit comfortably in the stand under the custom 340 as long as it's not too tall.
My first question has to do with the configuration of the tank itself. I haven't formally ordered the 340 yet and I don't know whether I should get it drilled and with overflows from the factory. Let me state up front that I don't really know anything about sumps. I've never set one up. The 150 isn't drilled and doesn't have overflows. To be honest, I'm not sure exactly what that means as far as setup goes. From what I understand, it seems like it's better not to have it drilled and with factory overflows because it's not a very difficult or expensive obstacle to overcome using accessories if it's not "drilled and overflowed" from the factory. To me, it seems like the tank will be more versatile if I can run it without the presence of an overflow/return destination if all it takes is a couple sub-$100 parts to give it an "add-on" overflow and return. Can somebody explain what the drawbacks of the add-on overflow and return solutions are and why having holes drilled in the tank and overflows added would be preferable? Keep in mind that I don't plan on installing the sump immediately. The 150 currently has 2 Rena SP3s for filtration, and I plan on getting 2 FX5s for the 340 and setting it up for a couple months before I add the common sump/denitrator, and even after the common sump/denitrator are present I intend to keep all 4 canister filters running. I'd also like the option of disconnecting the shared sump and running both tanks in standalone mode, so it seems to me like keeping it pristine would be a better option.
Next question is size. And if there are any pre-made products that anybody recommends to tackle my bio-load. Stock list between the two tanks is as follows(they are currently in a 150 and 80):
22" Royal Clown Knife
17" Giant Gourami
18" Fire Eel
12" Pike Cichlid(Atapabo II)
Adult Oscar
Adult Severum, 10"
Two 7" Earth Eaters
3.5" Blue Phantom Pleco
7" L330 Watermelon Pleco
10" Normal Black Pleco
12" Tiger Shovelnose Catfish
21" Ornate Bichir
Obviously these are some monster fish with some monster appetites, and many of them are just getting started growing. I'll probably end up picking up a few more specimens that will fit in, being very selective, over the coming years as well since I'll have the added capacity of the 340. Most of them have lived together all of their lives and they all seem to thrive as long as I keep the pH around 7.0. I would like to feed these fish a lot, because I want them to grow quickly and it's downright amazing how much some of these fish can eat! I'm sure my fellow MFKer's know what I'm talking about here. So, how large of a sump should I get? And is there something I can just order online that will gracefully handle my bio-load? What accessories and media do I need if I can buy something pre-made, and do you have any recommended resources if I need to buy a tank and make my own?
And the last question, does anybody have experience with the Aqueon stands? Will it be structurally sound with a huge sump sitting under the tank?
Again, thanks for any help offered. I just don't have the time to research all of this right now, too much work to do lately.
