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Average Member
 
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 8/18/2008 11:07:14 AM
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I am considering getting a 110 gallon aquarium setup, and was trying to decide the best way to filter it. I have several options:
multiple HOB filters
HOB filter + canister filter
canister filter alone
sump pump.
Now, I'm not sure I completely understand the sump pump. Could anyone explain it to me in simple terms? I have a 10 gallon tank just sitting around waiting to be used. Could it be used for a the sump pump portion?
Thanks,
Conner
PS- this will be a lightly-moderately planted tank, containing a spiny eel, 3 angels, and a spotted pictus, for starters.
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20L - 1 male betta, Poseidon
1 Banjo Catfish
10 Ghost Shrimp
125g - 1 Dragon Goby
1 Spotted Pictus
1 male, 1 female Bristlenose Pleco
2 Angelfish
12-13 Bleeding Heart Tetra's
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Average Member
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Last Login: 8/20/2008 8:37:18 AM
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Sumps are good filtration if you have a place for it. It allows a lot of stuff to remain hidden and the exact filration can be customised to your exact needs. If you are just getting the tank then now is the time to set it up for a sump as it is very hard to drill the glass after you fill it.....
"We are Starfleet officers, Weird is a part of the job" - Captain Janeway, USS Voyager
Due to recent surgery I will be absent for a while.....
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Senior Member
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Last Login: 2 days ago @ 2:17:50 PM
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Ditto, sump filters are great options for large tanks.
"Tears aren't a sign of weakness, they're a sign of poor plumbing." --Dead Men's Lies
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Average Member
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Last Login: 8/20/2008 8:37:18 AM
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| http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-01/gt/index.php This is a pretty decent article on sumps and thier setup...
"We are Starfleet officers, Weird is a part of the job" - Captain Janeway, USS Voyager
Due to recent surgery I will be absent for a while.....
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New Member
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Last Login: 2/12/2008 1:22:49 PM
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I would definitely go with the sump. It not only gives you a place for your heaters and filters but it also increases your water volume and hence your tanks stability. I would go larger then 10 gal, as big as you have room for, for the maximum benefit.
"All it takes for evil to triumpth is for good men to do nothing."..Edmund Burke http://www.fishchannel.com/blog/viewbio.aspx?apid=58124
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Average Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 8/18/2008 11:07:14 AM
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Wow, that is a great article about sumps! Thanks so much. I don't know yet if I'm ready to try a sump or not. The tank I'm planning on getting isn't pre-drilled, and although I think it would be great for my planned setup, I may go with just HOB's to start with for ease of use. But its something I'll definitely have to think about. I am pretty good at plumbing.....
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20L - 1 male betta, Poseidon
1 Banjo Catfish
10 Ghost Shrimp
125g - 1 Dragon Goby
1 Spotted Pictus
1 male, 1 female Bristlenose Pleco
2 Angelfish
12-13 Bleeding Heart Tetra's
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Junior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 4/24/2008 6:16:28 AM
Posts: 415,
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| Conner, Go with the sump you will love it. Your LFS should be able to get you in touch with someone that can drill it for you. Average cost is $50.00 a hole, or you can buy a cheap bit for under $50.00 and drill it yourself. Just go slow and keep the bit lubricated with clean fresh water. Much scarier sounding then it realy is. Over flow boxes work great but they are more prone to overflows same as over flow pipes I have used both but drilling is the cats meow. What are your plans for the tank? Sumps are awsome projects for DIYers. They incorperate all of your skills and realy give you a chance to dream up some wild stuff. 10 gallons is to small for a 110 you want at least 40gln and Rubbermaid bins work just as good as a tank. Check this post http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic124213-5-1.aspx It has some pic problems but it's alot of good info and the system has run flawlessly to date. BTW I would be more then happy to help you out with ideas or send you to some sites that have great plans and such.
WARNING: Everything posted by this user above are the ramblings of Mr. Cracker and should be viewed as nothing more then his rambling. DO NOT CONFUSE IT WITH ANYTHING ELSE! WARNING # 2: All DIY information provided by this user must be considered carefully before you the reader attempts to do the same. If you do not have a basic understanding of hand tools, power tools, carpentry, plumbing, electrical or general DIY (Do It Yourself) technics seek the assistance of a competent and qualified person that does before proceeding.
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Average Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 8/18/2008 11:07:14 AM
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The tank I am researching (and have my heart set on) is a 110 gallon tall. I believe its 48"L x 18"D x 30"H. I will be using a small gravel substrate, supplemented with driftwood and maybe a couple of stacked rocks to create some caves. I want to plant this tank lightly to moderately. Once its set up and cycled, I will be transferring 3 angelfish, 1 spotted pictus, 1 tiretrack eel, and 1 dragon goby (at least until he gets his own brackish tank). I am also looking to possibly add a school of Congo Tetras, or maybe a pair of Leopard Ctenopomas (haven't really decided, and I'm still open to suggestions).
The tank only comes with a basic 48" light with 2-20 watt bulbs, but I will be replacing that with a DIY lighting system that should be able to handle any wattage I want/need (I love home improvement stores  ).
I was planning 2 Aquaclear 70 HOB's, because that will easily handle my tank load, and has 600 gph EDIT: FLOW capacity. Only 200 gph filtering capacity. Also, one would continue running while I maintained the other.
I like the idea of a sump, but I don't really want to pay someone else to drill the tank if its more than $50, and I am hesitant to try it myself on a tank this expensive for my first attempt. If you have any suggestions, or any diagrams you could send me/post, that would be awesome. I'm mainly leaning toward the HOB's because I've never done a sump before, even though I have a basic understanding of it.
conner
EDIT: Haha, I love the "Bio-Tower" in the pictures. Very creative.
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20L - 1 male betta, Poseidon
1 Banjo Catfish
10 Ghost Shrimp
125g - 1 Dragon Goby
1 Spotted Pictus
1 male, 1 female Bristlenose Pleco
2 Angelfish
12-13 Bleeding Heart Tetra's
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