Fish Tank Setup

[chaq]

Hi,

Its been awhile since i kept a planted tank. Intend to setup one in my new house, so i have roughly done a sketch of it. Would like to check if my setup is ok? Any feedback and comments regarding such a setup, especially the sump compartment would be greatly appreciated, thanks

The tank will be 180cm x 75cm x 70cm using 3MH 150W

chaq

[aquanatix]

Hi there,nice layout! What software was used to render your illustration?
Wish LFS would use something like that to explain or help people understand better about the hobby! Anyway i was wondering since you already dedicated an entire compartment to hide your sump and what not,you could always go all the way and used up the entire compartment? By raising the sump height,you could possibly house even more filter media for a really kick *** setup! Just curious,is the UVC really necessary? Pardon me if i sound ignorant,was under the impression UVC unit sorta removes beneficial bacteria as well?

[bossteck]

Aquanatix: I think UVC only kills whatever is passing through it, hence you're right, the free floating BB will be killed, but then there will be plenty more in the filter media, so there's no worries in my opinion.

Chaq: Nice plan! Inlet to sump going all the way to the bottom of the first compartment is a nice touch, will reduce splashing.

The point of weakness is the co2 reactor, must get a solid one as some a known to leak. If space permits, can consider suspending the UVC and reactor above the sump.

Don't know whether you want to consider using hose instead of pipes for the segment between the last compartment of your sump to the pump. The 2 elbows may have issue of trapped air leading to noise / vibration issue. Just speculating here.

Agree, go for taller sump, as tall as space permits, be sure to leave enough elbow space for maintenance though.

Are you planning to enclose the 3 x MH within the 'hood' area?

I don't think you need 1 feet for the triangular overflow area, keep it as small as you can so you have more space for plants. The opening on your living room side should be 5ft instead of 4.5 right? Better inform your ID people.

If you plan on keeping small fishes, they have the tendency to go into the overflow area, got to be prepared that you will need to fish them out.

Can't wait to see your tank soon.

Cheers!

[chaq]

Aquanatix: Thanks. I used Fireworks to sketch this. As for a bigger sump, will consider since i might add an auto topup device too.

Bossteck: Yo boss, thanks for the advices, plan to use Aquamedic reactor and Atman UV. You are right, these 2 are the most "worrying" items of the whole setup, where a leak might occur. I wonder hanging above the sump will be much help, but definitely gives some insurance.

Yep, the MH will be enclosed. Gota second hand set from the marine forums. It comes with built in fan too.

Overflow compartment no need to be so big? What dimensions is yours? The opening can be bigger if the overflow is smaller

Maintenance wise, think it will be hard to reach the other end near the wall. There wont be an opening on the wall due to a beam that cant be hacked. Guess i will have to use a fine "net" for the overflow compartment to prevent fishes being trapped there...

Btw. what flow rate is your pump?

[BFG]

Chaq, the overflow compartment can be placed at the corner end of the tank instead of occupying the width of the tank. Your setup is nearly identical to a marine setup.

[bossteck]

Hi all,

BFG: I think you may have missed the words 'triangular overflow compartment' in chaq's diagram.

chaq: I will do some measurements and update you tonight. My return pump is rated at 3500 l/hr. It is submersible type, which does not have the option to be used outside the sump.

[chaq]

Yep. the overflow will be at the corner type.

Actually i got the advice from whom i bought the MH lights. That the pump should not be submerged in the sump compartment for heat reduction and running costs (when using a chiller) reasons. However, this creates another potential for leakages ... cant have best of both worlds.

[bossteck]

Hi chaq,

Just did the measurement. 10.5 inches from the side of the tank.

Cheers

[chaq]

Ok, thanks boss. Your overflow compartment - does it have 1 or 2 drilled holes?

[BFG]

Your setup is a bit close to how my marine tank is built. The only difference is that in my overflow compartment, I have the return pipe going through it unlike yours which is located separately. What is going to hold the return pipe? Would it be made of pvc or are you using a hose instead?

In my personal opinion, the Y-check valve doesn't work. It is better if you could get a ball valve instead. Add an anti-siphon hole at every output outlet if you are using pvc plumbing. Use the Aquamedic overflow comb to control the height of the water in the main tank. But remember, if you raise the height of the water in the main tank, the water in the sump will be affected too. Another equipment to add if you have the means is a water top-up. My recommendation IF you are going to use a water top-up is to go for the Tunze Osmolator. You'll need a separate container to hold a certain amount of water for the top-up. Any container will do if you don't mind how it looks like.

Want to go for automation for your fertiliser dosing? Grotech has a computer dosing pump for you.

http://www.grotech.de/ENGLISH/index.php?c=1&s=teciiing

This is available only at Aquamarin, a marine lfs.

http://www.aquamarin.com.sg/

Hope this helps!

[chaq]

Thanks BFG for your advices. Will be using pvc return pipes. I dont think i will be using a auto dosing pump because the setup is really getting beyond my budget! but its a nice luxury to have.

[maxz]

Hi Chaq,
Nice meeting you today.Hope you can find your tank maker soon..
CHeerzz

[RHX]

Pardon me, is this tank for a planted tank setup? From what i've read, planted tanks normally don't use sump filters for the fact that C02 will be lost because of the water disturbance at the surface. If that's the case, then you have to pump in more C02 into that tank to compensate the lost of it.
BTW that's a very nice setup you have especially to have a custom made chiller in it too.

[chaq]

Hi all, an update

Fishtank is finally up. Thanks to the tank maker ah soon from arofanatics and bros who helped me along the way. Here are some pics to share


View from living room


View from study room entrance


Looking out to living room


Sump tank, will chiller coil and auto top up


MH lights (it is heavy!)


Reactor

[bossteck]

Nice! Plenty of elbow room in the sump compartment.
Time to get a step ladder!

By the way, what pump are you using?

Can take photo of the external overflow compartment?

[Aquaculture]

Wow! and double WOW! beautifully done. I noticed there's no opening at the cupboards to disperse the chiller's heat.

[chaq]

Nice! Plenty of elbow room in the sump compartment.
Time to get a step ladder!

By the way, what pump are you using?

Can take photo of the external overflow compartment?

boss, pump is eheim 1264. have no pic of the overflow now, but it is by the side of the tank, with 2 holes - 1 for return and the other to the sump via durso.

Bought ladder hehe, the maintenance and planting gonna be tough, i cant reach the bottom even with ladder, gonna get more soil

[chaq]

Wow! and double WOW! beautifully done. I noticed there's no opening at the cupboards to disperse the chiller's heat.

Hi

There is no heat from chiller, as the chiller compressor is outside the window ledge in the master bedroom. Check out absolute reef online and look for Chill Down.

No heat, less electricity used, cheaper in the long run although setup more expensive then those unit chillers we place below the tank.

[BFG]

Chaq, post a few picture of where the coil compressor chiller is placed. Some might not have an idea of what the coil compressor chiller looks like. A picture of how the line runs from the tank to the compressor might be ideal.

[chaq]

Hi BFG, the cables that run to tank are hidden by partitions, hate to see trunkings so cant really take any pics. Here is a image i "borrowed" from Chill Down


Chiller is 1 HP (top) and 3 in 1 Aircon (bottom) both are mitsubishi starmex