Turnkey display aquarium

[ahrooo]

Hello everyone,

I haven’t kept cichlids in several years due to a major job relocation. I want back in the hobby and to upgrade on my old 125 setup that currently sits empty.

I have been saving up for a large display aquarium and have $15,000 set aside for a 300-600 gallon display tank. If you had the space, money, and ability to build a turnkey display tank, what would you do?

(I think I prefer acrylic to glass because glass is so darn heavy.)

Can I go with two or three large Fluval or Eheim canisters on a large aquarium, or do I need to order a tank with an overflow? Use a sump? Pardon my ignorance, but are sumps often used because they are cheaper than simply ordering a couple expensive canisters?

 

[BIG-G]

I would definitely go with a sump.
The added space for equipment and versatility along with ease of maintenance is worth it to me.
The space for biological media and potential water flow is greatly increased.
Plus the added space increases the total water volume in the system.

With a main display this big you can have a huge sump and if you choose it can be designed in such a way to have a space for holding some fish as well.
Obviously not for a quarantine type situation but if you were to need to just separate a fish for some reason this could be an option.

The extra space could be used for algae filter or plant based filters, with additional lighting of course.
The options are only limited to space and imagination.

 

[twentyleagues]

You are in California buy one of these. Or two!

For Sale - *Brand New* 440 gallon Turn Key Aquarium

Wow, it's been a long time. I'm happy to be back. Well it's time to sell these 440 gallon systems which have been hanging out for a minute. They were supposed to all be setup together but plans have changed. Selling for well below cost at $3,200. Originally paid $4,500. SHOWROOM quality...

www.monsterfishkeepers.com

 

[twentyleagues]

Hello everyone,

I haven’t kept cichlids in several years due to a major job relocation. I want back in the hobby and to upgrade on my old 125 setup that currently sits empty.

I have been saving up for a large display aquarium and have $15,000 set aside for a 300-600 gallon display tank. If you had the space, money, and ability to build a turnkey display tank, what would you do?

(I think I prefer acrylic to glass because glass is so darn heavy.)

Can I go with two or three large Fluval or Eheim canisters on a large aquarium, or do I need to order a tank with an overflow? Use a sump? Pardon my ignorance, but are sumps often used because they are cheaper than simply ordering a couple expensive canisters?

Sumps are more efficient and easier to maintain. They can be cheaper but usually are not especially if a high-end premade sump or a custom built. You can build them on the cheap with plastic totes or $1/g sale tanks or used tanks.

 

[ahrooo]

I looked at those setups. They look nice. Anyone have any experience purchasing a complete system from an online retailer? Any companies to consider? FTD? Any to avoid?

 

[DN328]

By turn key do you mean all plumbing (for the sump) completed? I think most reputable places would do that but I have no idea how much they would charge. You'll likely need to have you sump there for fitting or by from them. Don't forget to factor in a metal stand perhaps?

 

[dr exum]

FTD has reasonable prices, for $15k I’d presume you could get a very nice 1000g with a 240g sump, steel stand, wrapped in wood and hood too!

custom Acyrlic Aquariums I was told are not good, they are cheaper than FTD.

Midwest custom is nice but I think more pricey.

there are endless deals there in CA

 

[ahrooo]

By turn key do you mean all plumbing (for the sump) completed? I think most reputable places would do that but I have no idea how much they would charge. You'll likely need to have you sump there for fitting or by from them. Don't forget to factor in a metal stand perhaps?

By turn key I meant order everything all at once from one source, so that when it does arrive I start cycling the water, and it’s front room display worthy. Does that make sense?

 

[ahrooo]

FTD has reasonable prices, for $15k I’d presume you could get a very nice 1000g with a 240g sump, steel stand, wrapped in wood and hood too!

custom Acyrlic Aquariums I was told are not good, they are cheaper than FTD.

Midwest custom is nice but I think more pricey.

there are endless deals there in CA

Yes I have looked around. I’m leaning on a 440 setup from FTD with a stand and hood. I think I will have to go with a metal stand for the obvious reasons of weight. I’ve been trying to figure if it’s better to just run two large Fluval canisters, a pond canister, or include their sump. FTD offers sumps but they are expensive. Do people go sumps over large canisters because they build their own sumps and that makes them much cheaper alternatives to canisters, and thus, the preferred choice? Am I missing something by just going fluval canisters or one pond canister?

 

[twentyleagues]

Yes I have looked around. I’m leaning on a 440 setup from FTD with a stand and hood. I think I will have to go with a metal stand for the obvious reasons of weight. I’ve been trying to figure if it’s better to just run two large Fluval canisters, a pond canister, or include their sump. FTD offers sumps but they are expensive. Do people go sumps over large canisters because they build their own sumps and that makes them much cheaper alternatives to canisters, and thus, the preferred choice? Am I missing something by just going fluval canisters or one pond canister?

Sumps are more efficient on larger systems. Plus it keeps all the equipment out of that great looking tank you just got.