New Tank Setup

[rxtayl7]

I have a 300 gallon tank setup with the following so far:
1) 900 Watts of lighting mixed Halide, and actinic, and lunar
2) 5800 GPH pump with 3” hard piping with all shut off’s
3) Aquadoser Quattro for adding water, and feedings
4) Large 55 Gallon Sump
5) 200 Gallon freshwater RO tank
6) RO 4-stage
7) 40 watt UV sterilizer
So what I am looking for is what substrate to add to the tank, type of filtration to keep maintenance to a low level. Also with the filtration should I do under gravel filter or not and if so what will this gain? Look as this project as an open budget I just don’t know what to buy for fresh water setup to keep it simple for maintenance.

Thanks RT

[Digital]

WOW, that's HUGE! I don't have any feedback that can help you, cause you're doing more advanced fish keeping than I. But do post some pics when you start getting this mammoth of a tank setup! :)

[rxtayl7]

Here is a link when the tank was salt water:

Pics:

http://s158.photobucket.com/albums/t111/rxtayl7/?action=view&current=3aec3dda.pbw

[montysmum]

I have a 300 gallon tank setup with the following so far:
1) 900 Watts of lighting mixed Halide, and actinic, and lunar
2) 5800 GPH pump with 3” hard piping with all shut off’s
3) Aquadoser Quattro for adding water, and feedings
4) Large 55 Gallon Sump
5) 200 Gallon freshwater RO tank
6) RO 4-stage
7) 40 watt UV sterilizer
So what I am looking for is what substrate to add to the tank, type of filtration to keep maintenance to a low level. Also with the filtration should I do under gravel filter or not and if so what will this gain? Look as this project as an open budget I just don’t know what to buy for fresh water setup to keep it simple for maintenance.

Thanks RT

Hiya!

Well as far as substrate is concerned, that depends a bit on what type of fish you are aiming to keep. Some fish prefer a sandy substrate because they like to burrow in it for example. If you decide to get sand by the way, make sure you dont buy coral sand ( as I mistakenly did in the beginning:eek3:) as it makes the ph rocket.

If you are thinking of getting bottom dwellers then gravel will be ok as long as it the smooth edged type so that their barbels dont get damaged.

You mention underfravel filters. I dont have any experience with them but have read people say that they are a real pain, that they get blocked and are difficult to maintain especially if you have live plants etc. The only advantage I suppose of undergravel is that it is out of sight, but from what I have read that advantage is outweighed by the problems you may have.

I have Fluval internal filters in my two tanks and they are great - quiet, reliable and easy to maintain so I would recommend something like that personally.

[jm1212]

UGFs are great biological filters. reverse flow UGF's are even better.

you will still need some kind of mechanical and chemical filtration on the tank, and you can use the sump for that.

[Mgamer20o0]

its up to you really. i would use a natural looking type of gravel. i got mine at lowes it was like $2.50 for 50 pounds.

http://www.plantedtank.net/substratecalculator.html

[Rbishop]

Unless there is something completely out of whack with your tap water, you will not need the RO.

I prefer RUGR with canisters, but that sump will be an awesome wet/dry for that size tank.

Are you planning on keeping live plants? What kind of fish?