Semi-complicated freshwater filtration and setup questions

A

AAHoudiniAA

AC Members
Mar 11, 2010
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Pittsburgh
Greetings all!

In another thread I had asked for some help/suggestions regarding a two-tank show wall setup. The two tanks will be 60 X 18 X 27. My questions are regarding filtration setup options. Initially, I was interested in a sump type setup that would combine the tank's water and majority of biology, but I am not convinced that is my best option at this point. I am looking for suggestions. The tanks will be freshwater, and I do realize that if I combine the waters of the tanks I will be limiting my selection of livestock to that which is compatible with the overall environment... temp. ph... etc.

I also have the opportunity to purchase my tanks hoods and lights right now wholesale... but I have to do it pretty much right away... the tanks will be by Perfecto and I have the option of doing cornerflos, or not.

The space upon which these tanks will sit is only 21" deep and the tanks are 18" not leaving room for power filters per se... but even if not drilled... perhaps I could do two canister filters on each tank. Then there is the issue of UGF... to do or not to do...

I am really confused... just when I think I have it figured out... I change direction.

Your thoughts will be greatly appreciated.

As far as livestock... I love color... size doesn't matter... schooling fish are fun for me... just some thoughts... goldies are my passion... but I have two tanks running now with goldies... and they are high maintenance... very. But, that's a diff. story.

Thinking a large school of glofish in one... and maybe a tetra tank...

But, definately open to any suggestions...

First order of business needs to be filtration so that I may buy the tanks... ie... show tanks versus cornerflow.... sump versues canister... etc....

Thanks in advance... and sorry if it seems like I am bumping my previous thread... more so just trying to narrow things down for all of you to give your experienced opinions.

Thanks,

Rich
 
Just a suggestion, you might want to post just the filtration aspect of your question in the saltwater section also. Sumps are not used by too many FW fish keepers, at least not yet. You might want to consider a trickle filter or something like the Marineland Tidepool filtration system. Vegetable filters work great in ponds, don't know how well that can translate to an aquarium though...
 
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I have always used one on my freshies!

And I would Drill the bottom glass on the top tank, install two simple overflow wals in the corner of the top tank, Overflow the water from the top tank into the bottom tank, let the bottom tank act as your "display refugium", and hide a return pump in the lower tank behind something, or even drill the back wall of the lower tank, install bulkhead to hard line to return pump to top tank... I hope that came out right... Wink!

-Aaron
 
platytudes said:
Just a suggestion, you might want to post just the filtration aspect of your question in the saltwater section also. Sumps are not used by too many FW fish keepers, at least not yet. You might want to consider a trickle filter or something like the Marineland Tidepool filtration system. Vegetable filters work great in ponds, don't know how well that can translate to an aquarium though...
Click to expand...


Doesn't seem that they make a large enough Tidepool to handle even one of the 120gal tanks. :(
 
tyler79durdan said:
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I have always used one on my freshies!

And I would Drill the bottom glass on the top tank, install two simple overflow wals in the corner of the top tank, Overflow the water from the top tank into the bottom tank, let the bottom tank act as your "display refugium", and hide a return pump in the lower tank behind something, or even drill the back wall of the lower tank, install bulkhead to hard line to return pump to top tank... I hope that came out right... Wink!

-Aaron
Click to expand...


Thanks for the input. These tanks are side by side. So, not sure how that will work. Thoughts... (remember my clearance issues).

And here's a thought... what about two canister filters on each tank hooked up to the cornerflos? Sounds simple.... but what I am saying is... to cross them over... so that I am taking water out of one tank and dumping it back into another... not sure if I am asking for disaster though... :(
 
+ 1 Great solution! Great ingenuity. I would go that route:)

EDIT: Why would you want a tidepool anywhoo?

-Aaron
 
tyler79durdan said:
+ 1 Great solution! Great ingenuity. I would go that route:)

EDIT: Why would you want a tidepool anywhoo?

-Aaron
Click to expand...


Thanks... thought that one up myself... lol.... that is, after reading pages and pages of friendly advice from fellow aquarists like yourself! But, actually... reading your post sparked that consideration somehow...

Here's the issue Aaron.... what if... one of the canisters goes down... am I about to flood my home? Trying to think this through...

Okay so on each tank lets say the right side pulls water and dumps into the left side of the other tank... and vice versa....

See my concern?

Love the idea... needs some more input.

Thanks a lot!

Rich
 
Then install a couple bulk heads and PVC the two tanks together with a single 2" x __" pipe. This will equalize the water level of both tanks, regardless of individual filter performance.

-Aaron
 
So... If I drill my tanks instead of buying the predrilled corner flows... I would drill three holes? One in each outside corner (tanks are side-by-side) and two in each tanks inside corners.... I could hook up two total Fluval X5s with the lines crossed to the tanks... the outsides would have filtered water pumped into the tank from the opposite tank... the insides (2 holes each) would have water sucked out of the tank into the filter and then use the last hole in each tank to stablize the level... bulkhead fitting connected to a a 2" horizontal PVC Pipe (maybe 3 feet) in the cabinet below...?

Or should I drill 5 holes in each and run 4 filters crossed over?

If I do that... I might just as well put a sump in with all of the cost of the canisters.

I am liking the canister idea... but, will two be enough? There will be a total of 250 gals... and this will be the ONLY filtration... mech, chem or bio...

Lastly... the sump tank situation intimidates me for some reason. I read and read... maybe a kit sump would be better than all of this.. but, if so... what kits are available that have EVERYTHING I need... and is this the only filtration?

I know this is a lot to ask. But, I'm freaking.

Thanks Aaron.


Rich
 
PM'ed to reduce thread stuffing! Two FX5's are MORE than enough... These filters are VERY optimized.
 
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