Help Needed

[whaleboy]

Hi All,

Looking for some advice here. I run a whale centre and we have a number of small aquariums housing sygnathids, lobsters, seatars and other marine life. I am wanting to revamp the whole setup on a tight budget and worried about filtration. I can build almost anything but only have around Aus$250 for filters and pumps etc. As you can see from the diagram, I plan to build 2 Cannister Filters and a sump (sump is mainly for ease of water changes (setup is based in a cellar)). The 4 tanks are mainly 3-4 footers. Do people think this set up will work and does anyone have any suggestions on the pump power/volume required???? Any advice/comments would be appreciated.

Cheers
Whaleboy

[Mahlhavoc]

how much water in each tank?

[whaleboy]

Mahlhavoc based on some quick calculations I would suggest approx 150L-200L per tank!

[Mahlhavoc]

ok you have about 7 feet of piping and about $180 U.S. dollars to play with for full filtration? You need something with about 15 head pressure and I am guessing you have about 150 gallons of water to move.

WOW, tight budget is right! In my 135g I use an Iwaki wmd40rlxt ( High flow 22.4 gpm 15.4 max head) about $190 U.S.

Heres a link to some other pumps I would recomend, you may find cheaper but at least you get an idea. http://www.aquarium-supply.biz/ordering/pump_Cor.htm

This hasn't even started on your sump or filters EEEK!

Heres another link to some external pumps http://www.aquariumsupplystore.com/Productspages/iwaki_aquarium_pump.htm

[whaleboy]

Yeah its tight but as I said I will be home building the sumps and cannister filters. Do you think this plan would actually be adequate filtration if I could find an appropriate pump?

[Mahlhavoc]

Ok you have about 50 gallons? 3.78 L = a gallon so thats 200L = 52.8 gallons right? So if you go with Iwaki MD20RLT (Inlet) 3/4" / 3/4" (outlet) 420 gph 14.1 max head, you would turn water over 8 times and have the head pressure you need. $102 U.S.

Use 2 1/2 outlets, and have one 20g sump. . . it is doable