go big or go home

[JonPhillips]

What are you doing for a sump for this system? You looking on CL for one? Don't see a lot of space on the bottom of it, you planning on going in a garage/basement?

Nope. Going underneath and possibly on the sides. Tank will be sitting over about a 3 foot high crawl space, hence the need for the tracker jackers underneath (wait that's a hunger games reference, OUCH) low jacks there we go. Most likely not the back due to strain of maintenance. Thinking dual DIY canister filters. It's a dual overflow through a single bulkhead. Also thinking one side underneath for mechanical (canister) and other side underneath as a fug/sump. I am totally open to suggestions. hawking craigslist but because of the dimensions of the stand underneath it will most likely be a DIY. Have some glass set aside for this. Also not apposed to breaking down my 65 and cutting up the glass for whatever I need. Wife has also suggested a new/used stand that is taller/more functional with cabinets and doors. . Tuff to find an 8 foot long aquarium stand under 1K though. Closing up the bottom in some fashion is almost a must as the little sticky hands always go where they don't belong. (Kids just love to poke at that glass) Darla on Finding Nemo anyone? That's my house. Protecting my fishy friends! Would prefer not to hang on sides/drill as I see the sides as an important viewing area for what will be going on behind the scenes. Thanks!

P.S I like the stand now because of it's low height. Picture myself sitting down up close viewing all the action!!!!!!

 

[morpheas]

Some more experienced reefers should probably chime in so I don't say something stupid but I wouldn't think that a canister filter would be appropriate, especially for that size tank. Now, the space on the bottom is kinda limited, the height is not sufficient. I suppose you don't want to do skimmer/reactors but my suggestion would be to investigate further and see what you can do in that direction. The stand seems to be a little rusted as well, if my eyes are not mistaking me, which would prompt me to investigate further if I trust it to hold the weight of that monster.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that if you're not going to a basement and you're just under-tank filtration you have to raise that stand or you'll regret it. Maybe a metal worker can retrofit it and give it an extra height (how tall is it btw?) for a much reasonable price. My personal preference would be to have at least 30" clearance on the bottom. Take it from someone that has a short stand and every time I do something in the sump I regret my stand. Also, I would get one big tank from the $1 per gallon sale at petco going on and use that as a sump. Maybe if you do that, and decide on the equipment you need, you can decide what the height needs to be.

Final thought I just had is that I don't think you'd want both the canister and a fuge from the two overflow lines because I don't think you'd be able to control flow successfully (maybe it's a brain fart though).

All in all, I would suggest you don't speed through this one like you did with the other, you have a lot of homework to do

 

[JonPhillips]

Some more experienced reefers should probably chime in so I don't say something stupid but I wouldn't think that a canister filter would be appropriate, especially for that size tank. Now, the space on the bottom is kinda limited, the height is not sufficient. I suppose you don't want to do skimmer/reactors but my suggestion would be to investigate further and see what you can do in that direction. The stand seems to be a little rusted as well, if my eyes are not mistaking me, which would prompt me to investigate further if I trust it to hold the weight of that monster.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that if you're not going to a basement and you're just under-tank filtration you have to raise that stand or you'll regret it. Maybe a metal worker can retrofit it and give it an extra height (how tall is it btw?) for a much reasonable price. My personal preference would be to have at least 30" clearance on the bottom. Take it from someone that has a short stand and every time I do something in the sump I regret my stand. Also, I would get one big tank from the $1 per gallon sale at petco going on and use that as a sump. Maybe if you do that, and decide on the equipment you need, you can decide what the height needs to be.

Final thought I just had is that I don't think you'd want both the canister and a fuge from the two overflow lines because I don't think you'd be able to control flow successfully (maybe it's a brain fart though).

All in all, I would suggest you don't speed through this one like you did with the other, you have a lot of homework to do

I've been reefing for three weeks now so I'd say my experience level is expert. : ) headed to Ikea soon and I know they make sturdy well built furniture that's made to last a couple months. May just have to pick up some painted particle board and call it a day. : )

Point being I am not going to let a little equipment snafu stand in the way of my dream reef!

How about two canisters underneath and a fug attached to one of the sides? With room to skim and react?

 

[morpheas]

I'm not saying let it stand on the way buddy! All I said is that you have to plan it to the point you're going to be happy with the result because once you have that monster up and running changes will be nearly impossible!

Personally, I would scratch the canisters all together but that's just me. My approach would be a more traditional skimmer/reactor/(fuge?) sump design... Again that's just me

 

[JonPhillips]

I'm not saying let it stand on the way buddy! All I said is that you have to plan it to the point you're going to be happy with the result because once you have that monster up and running changes will be nearly impossible!

Personally, I would scratch the canisters all together but that's just me. My approach would be a more traditional skimmer/reactor/(fuge?) sump design... Again that's just me

I know. It's hard for me personally not to turn into a gear head because that's where I am naturally drawn. I am trying to stay as simple as possible. The canisters appeal to me because they can just sit on the floor and are relatively easy to service when needed. Also, the kids can do them little to no damage.

Stand hight is 26 inches.

Here is a pic of my underneath situation. Please not the convenient steel support cutting across the direct line of my plumbing. SUPER EASY!

Pretty sure it's just surface rust on the stand so should not impact its structural integrity. Nothing a new coat of paint can cover up. Thank you for the heads up on that as well.

 

[kgeig001]

John , don't do canister filters. Get a sump or make one from an old aquarium, set up a refugium and a good skimmer. The canister filter is not the route to go for a reef tank. When the novelty of the new tank wheres off (and it will) , you can get complacent with maintenance...It happens to all of us at some point but if you have a good sump, skimmer and refugium...it's much more forgiving. You get lazy with a canister filter, you end up with high nitrates. I agree with morpheas... set it up right and don't rush it. I know you want to get it up as soon as you can (just human nature) but if you don't plan it right from the get go, you're just going to regret it. If take your time and plan everyrthing correctly from the beginning, you'll still be in the hobby in 5 years. If not, somebody else will be enjoying that WOW factor.