Upgrading tank size advise.

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Finally found one and picking up tomorrow! Super stoked! So, as I said before I want to use my current gravel to help keep cycle when we make the move, but will obviously need to add more bc it's a much bigger tank. Has anyone done 1/2 gravel 1/2 sand? How does it look, work? I've been reading about sand and thinking of going that direction. image.jpeg
 
Also, it has hang on back overflow and sump, not drilled. I've never used this or been exposed to one. How does it work and what do I need to know. I'm currently using a hang on back filter and a canister filter. Is the sump better or worse. Can I just run what I have or do I need to use the sump? Sorry for all the questions, gonna be a newby to the big tank world.
 
Brittanirdh said:
Also, it has hang on back overflow and sump, not drilled. I've never used this or been exposed to one. How does it work and what do I need to know. I'm currently using a hang on back filter and a canister filter. Is the sump better or worse. Can I just run what I have or do I need to use the sump? Sorry for all the questions, gonna be a newby to the big tank world.
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Sorry built in over flow, tubes go over back.
 
If you want to go with sand just put some of your old gravel in small net bags and rest them on the sand, then take one bag out a week, always worked for me when I have changed substrate.
A sump will give you more volume for filters media, but I am not a fan of the hang on overflows find they can be noisy and unreliable, the one I had was prone to losing its syphon, I went back to multiple cannisters, like having redundancy if anything goes wrong.
 
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dan518 said:
If you want to go with sand just put some of your old gravel in small net bags and rest them on the sand, then take one bag out a week, always worked for me when I have changed substrate.
A sump will give you more volume for filters media, but I am not a fan of the hang on overflows find they can be noisy and unreliable, the one I had was prone to losing its syphon, I went back to multiple cannisters, like having redundancy if anything goes wrong.
Click to expand...
Thanks! That's a great idea on the gravel. Yeah, I bought the huge canister filter I'm running now on the smaller tank specifically for when I got the larger tank(running it on small tank to also help carry cycle over) so I think I'm gonna sell the sump. I don't think I could sleep with the hang on back, I've been reading, and it looks like they flood easily, especially if power goes out. Which happens frequently here when it's storms.
 
Good idea. I think a proper overflow is the only way to go for tanks like this.
Sorry if this has already been asked but what are you putting in this bad boy?
 
very pretty ebjds
 
Got it for $150. The tank was up and running up until I got it yesterday. The tank is 12 years old and was professionally re-sealed 3 years ago. Got it home and filled up in my carport to leak test it, but I'm still nervous for some reason. I didn't know it had been re sealed until I picked it up. He didn't mention that during our discussions. I had already driven 1 1/2 hr to get it, and he had already moved all his corals and fish/crab etc. So I felt obligated. Is resealed bad, I mean I know people do it, but how often? Am I just being a nervous nelly? I've never had a tank this big, I'm just picturing a flooded living room. Also, it's really warm where I live so how can you really tell a small leak from evapration. I know look for water, but there was dew this morning on everything. I'm hoping all is dry when I get home from work today. How many days is sufficient for testing? Thanks. And feel free to tease me, I know I'm a nervous nelly. Just looking for a little reassurance and tips.
 
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