Steelmastiff
New Member
My incredible wife just said Merry Christmas and green lighted a tank that I’ve been dreaming about since I entered the hobby as a teenager, and I just ordered it this past Saturday. It’s a 320 gallon, 96†long, 30†wide, 26†deep tank with a low iron glass front panel; needles to say I’m pretty excited. Because of the layout of my home it will sit centered directly over a load bearing wall that will allow for a basement sump/fish room. It caught me a little off guard when she gave me the green light; she knew that it was something I’ve been dreaming about for a long time, but I had no idea she was actually going to come onboard to help me realize a dream. I guess this proves that even after twenty plus years of being with someone, they can still surprise you at times…
I also think that perhaps my weekly ritual of sloshing around the house with five gallon buckets full of salt water whilst her favorite television programs are aired just might have lead her to the conclusion that a single large tank, with a basement sump, would be much more conducive to her viewing pleasure. And under no circumstances did I intentionally plot my weekly water change schedule to coincide with her favorite television programs; my story, and I’m sticking to it, so let not your mind be troubled. :angel:
I took a 20 year hiatus from the hobby and just re-entered the hobby a little over a year ago, and admittedly, I haven’t been active on any forums because of my past experience in the hobby, crazy work schedule, and with the current fowlr tanks that I’m running I just didn’t have a lot of questions, but this tank is going to be a whole new ball of wax for me.
The tank should be built and ready for pick up sometime within the next five weeks, so this doesn’t give me a ton of time to build a stand, research equipment, and layout my fish room. So the realization of this project has drawn me to seek the advice of those that have taken on the task of setting up a basement sump/filtration/quarantine room. I have never been one to just dive into a project without doing as much research as possible, but my wives sudden willingness and heart felt gift has inspired me to do just that; wouldn’t want her changing her mind or anything, so I’m running with it…
Like many, I am working on a budget, so I just want to get it right the first time around. I haven’t been having much luck coming across used equipment to this point, at least none that meet the requirements of this kind of water volume and future bio load. So it looks like I will be purchasing some new equipment. The tank will start out as a fowlr system, but my wife and I would really like to venture into a reef set up in the near future, so that is the end goal.
I ordered the sump from the tank manufacturer, so this is taken care of already, although he did tell me if I wanted to make any changes within the next week, just to let them know. It’s dimensions are as follows 60â€Lx 24â€Wx18â€H, I might stretch that out to 72†if it would be beneficial in any way, more water volume normally is, but perhaps not really necessary in this case. I have plenty of work space, but I need to try and stay within my set budget as much as possible for major equipment. I am thinking just live rock and algae in the refugium portion of the sump for now.
This is a short list of what I really need immediate advice on, and sorry in advance, probably the most common questions asked. Now keeping in mind I’m looking for most bang for the buck due to budget restraints; now if I was the Federal Government this would be a non issue, but for a simpleton bottom feeder without any connections its just reality.
Protein Skimmer: The SRO 6000 SSS or 5000 INT seem to be fairly budget friendly, would they be up for the task?
Return Pump: I am looking at 10-15 ft max head pressure depending on sump placement; I want 2-3 times turn over through the sump/protein skimmer, so that’s only 8-1200 gph. I plead ignorance on this one, If I were to run a manifold with a larger pump, is it possible to create a closed loop off the same pump for additional water flow within the tank, and still keep my turn over rate at desired levels through the sump? I am not a plumber, although I have plumbed a few bathrooms over the years, but they don’t exactly require a manifold… I am having the sump/tank builder go ahead and drill a hole on the pump side of the sump, so this allows for an internal or external pump. Would there be any good reason to have both ends drilled?
Bio Pellet Reactor: Considering the bio load that will be placed on the system, this might be wise to help deal with certain nitrate issues associated with keeping some messy eaters. I don’t know a lot about these new fangled devices, no such thing twenty years ago, but they certainly sound intriguing. What say you?
Plumbing component advice: Ball valves, gate valves, hard line or flexible, and where each is needed within the system. IE: drain and return.
I am looking forward to any personal advice one might be willing to offer, any links to info that would be of value, good vendor experience that might be able to put together a package deal on protein skimmer, pump, bio pellet reactor.
Thanks for your time, and I look forward to becoming a member of your community, this is if my newbie questions haven’t already ruined a chance for this to happen…
Corey
I also think that perhaps my weekly ritual of sloshing around the house with five gallon buckets full of salt water whilst her favorite television programs are aired just might have lead her to the conclusion that a single large tank, with a basement sump, would be much more conducive to her viewing pleasure. And under no circumstances did I intentionally plot my weekly water change schedule to coincide with her favorite television programs; my story, and I’m sticking to it, so let not your mind be troubled. :angel:
I took a 20 year hiatus from the hobby and just re-entered the hobby a little over a year ago, and admittedly, I haven’t been active on any forums because of my past experience in the hobby, crazy work schedule, and with the current fowlr tanks that I’m running I just didn’t have a lot of questions, but this tank is going to be a whole new ball of wax for me.
The tank should be built and ready for pick up sometime within the next five weeks, so this doesn’t give me a ton of time to build a stand, research equipment, and layout my fish room. So the realization of this project has drawn me to seek the advice of those that have taken on the task of setting up a basement sump/filtration/quarantine room. I have never been one to just dive into a project without doing as much research as possible, but my wives sudden willingness and heart felt gift has inspired me to do just that; wouldn’t want her changing her mind or anything, so I’m running with it…
Like many, I am working on a budget, so I just want to get it right the first time around. I haven’t been having much luck coming across used equipment to this point, at least none that meet the requirements of this kind of water volume and future bio load. So it looks like I will be purchasing some new equipment. The tank will start out as a fowlr system, but my wife and I would really like to venture into a reef set up in the near future, so that is the end goal.
I ordered the sump from the tank manufacturer, so this is taken care of already, although he did tell me if I wanted to make any changes within the next week, just to let them know. It’s dimensions are as follows 60â€Lx 24â€Wx18â€H, I might stretch that out to 72†if it would be beneficial in any way, more water volume normally is, but perhaps not really necessary in this case. I have plenty of work space, but I need to try and stay within my set budget as much as possible for major equipment. I am thinking just live rock and algae in the refugium portion of the sump for now.
This is a short list of what I really need immediate advice on, and sorry in advance, probably the most common questions asked. Now keeping in mind I’m looking for most bang for the buck due to budget restraints; now if I was the Federal Government this would be a non issue, but for a simpleton bottom feeder without any connections its just reality.
Protein Skimmer: The SRO 6000 SSS or 5000 INT seem to be fairly budget friendly, would they be up for the task?
Return Pump: I am looking at 10-15 ft max head pressure depending on sump placement; I want 2-3 times turn over through the sump/protein skimmer, so that’s only 8-1200 gph. I plead ignorance on this one, If I were to run a manifold with a larger pump, is it possible to create a closed loop off the same pump for additional water flow within the tank, and still keep my turn over rate at desired levels through the sump? I am not a plumber, although I have plumbed a few bathrooms over the years, but they don’t exactly require a manifold… I am having the sump/tank builder go ahead and drill a hole on the pump side of the sump, so this allows for an internal or external pump. Would there be any good reason to have both ends drilled?
Bio Pellet Reactor: Considering the bio load that will be placed on the system, this might be wise to help deal with certain nitrate issues associated with keeping some messy eaters. I don’t know a lot about these new fangled devices, no such thing twenty years ago, but they certainly sound intriguing. What say you?
Plumbing component advice: Ball valves, gate valves, hard line or flexible, and where each is needed within the system. IE: drain and return.
I am looking forward to any personal advice one might be willing to offer, any links to info that would be of value, good vendor experience that might be able to put together a package deal on protein skimmer, pump, bio pellet reactor.
Thanks for your time, and I look forward to becoming a member of your community, this is if my newbie questions haven’t already ruined a chance for this to happen…
Corey
