zombielinux
New Member
- Joined
- Aug 17, 2021
- Messages
- 11
- Reaction score
- 3
- Location
- Dallas
- What state or country do you live in
- Georgia
I came across a reasonable deal on a tank and have always wanted a saltwater aquarium.
Details on the tank:
55GAL 1'8" Depth (top to bottom), 3'8" Long, 1' deep (front to back). Currently has no holes drilled in it. The glass is 3/8" thick. I'd like to avoid drilling if at all possible.
I've also acquired a 30gal tank to use as a sump. It fits nicely in the stand and increases the water volume of the system tremendously.
Details on the location:
Dark basement, natural light can be described as minimal to nonexistent based on clouds. Concrete slab floor. Approximately 5' of space from the top of the tank to the ceiling.
My goal:
On the left side of the tank, Red Mangroves. On the right side, Reef.
Livestock is flexible, but colorful and interesting is always a winner.
SPS Corals are a maybe in the future, but not out of the question.
I'd like it to be as quiet and smell free as possible (as this is also the TV space), but recognize there will be some noise and some smell.
I'd like to minimize water changes through a balanced ecosystem as much as possible (though have plans for an RO system for other household needs).
Things I've researched and already found to be solid methodology:
A refugium is going to be key with goal as a balanced ecosystem.
Two return pumps (backup in case a pump fails)
I've found the CPR Continuous Siphon Overflows, but found that they can't be used with a Bean Animal drain setup (maybe drilling additional holes is an option?). I like their design rather than the tube based ones because they look harder to clog.
Don't put your heater in the same chamber as your return pump.
GFCI and battery backups.
Questions I have:
Is what I'm planning feasible?
How large should bean animal plumbing be? I'm seeing the general rule of thumb being ~550GAL/H flow rate. I'm guessing 3/4" SCH40 PVC based on others setups, but could be WAY off the mark.
Details on the tank:
55GAL 1'8" Depth (top to bottom), 3'8" Long, 1' deep (front to back). Currently has no holes drilled in it. The glass is 3/8" thick. I'd like to avoid drilling if at all possible.
I've also acquired a 30gal tank to use as a sump. It fits nicely in the stand and increases the water volume of the system tremendously.
Details on the location:
Dark basement, natural light can be described as minimal to nonexistent based on clouds. Concrete slab floor. Approximately 5' of space from the top of the tank to the ceiling.
My goal:
On the left side of the tank, Red Mangroves. On the right side, Reef.
Livestock is flexible, but colorful and interesting is always a winner.
SPS Corals are a maybe in the future, but not out of the question.
I'd like it to be as quiet and smell free as possible (as this is also the TV space), but recognize there will be some noise and some smell.
I'd like to minimize water changes through a balanced ecosystem as much as possible (though have plans for an RO system for other household needs).
Things I've researched and already found to be solid methodology:
A refugium is going to be key with goal as a balanced ecosystem.
Two return pumps (backup in case a pump fails)
I've found the CPR Continuous Siphon Overflows, but found that they can't be used with a Bean Animal drain setup (maybe drilling additional holes is an option?). I like their design rather than the tube based ones because they look harder to clog.
Don't put your heater in the same chamber as your return pump.
GFCI and battery backups.
Questions I have:
Is what I'm planning feasible?
How large should bean animal plumbing be? I'm seeing the general rule of thumb being ~550GAL/H flow rate. I'm guessing 3/4" SCH40 PVC based on others setups, but could be WAY off the mark.
