Re: My New 150g (New Pics) W/ Tropheus Illangi

[Nick]

Well it took 1 day longer than I expected. About 4hrs of that was driving from store to store trying to find parts for the filtration system. But in the end I have a pretty sweet setup.
**Here it is right after I got it home.

This is the pump that literally had a hole blow out from the side of it.

There is my sump w/ bio balls sponges and the 1900gph pump....1-1/4" ID tubing is huge by the way.

This the back of the overflow box. I looked like a monkey trying to F a football when I first tried to get this thing to siphon. I don't think it helps that the box seems to only comfortably fit one overflow tube but the second obviously can fit. Since I had to buy a new pump and custom tubing I decided to go ahead and build a custom outtake. there is 2 valves to help control the massive flow rates and in between is a quick disconnect so I cant take the 22" spray bar it is attached to off and adjust if needed. BTW the flow coming out of the spray bar is massive. I pointed the holes is differnt directions and move the sand around as if I had 2 huge jets at each end of the tank.

And finally here it is. about 120lbs. of pool filter sand (because the only white play sand I could find in this crap hole I call a town was outside, frozen and behind 3 pallets. I had to take the legs off my light but that sucker makes the tank look great. I hope the rock work will work for the tropheus I hope to get soon. A pile of rocks at each end with a neutral space in the center...the center I know does have stuff in it but is still pretty open.

Here she is...all Full!

[JeffroM]

Looks GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!

[Nick]

Looks GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks. I love this thing...The sump makes me a little nervous because I have never had one but things seem to be running smoothly. Water changes I find to be a bit of a pain. Turing off the pump to empty then making sure I have just the right amount of water in the tank. Im getting the hang of it though.

[Regalblue]

Very nice Nick!

[jcunningham0295]

Nice setup Nick.

[JeffroM]

Here is the deal on sumps.  The filter you have (I have one exactly the same btw) was designed more with saltwater in mind.  It is suppose to have a small area for excess water so that when water evaporates the saltwater tank owner is forced to address the evaporated water to make sure the salinity levels are correct.  Obviously in freshwater we do not have the same concerns.  So the bigger the sump the better! My recommendation would be to get a 55 or 40L and use it as the sump by placing the filter inside of it - you will have a lot less headaches if you don't have to add a 1/2 gallon of water every other day.

[Frenchie]

Awesome looking tank. What kind of fish is planed for it ?

[Super Turtleman]

Nice looking tank...though I think I would move the two piles out towards the ends of the tanks.

[54zamboni]

i definitely second what jeffro said about bigger sumps -- 40l's work great for me, and evaporation is not nearly the hassle as with a smaller sump.  they can be a bit of a pain to fit underneath stands, however -- i had to remove a support board temporarily on two  of my 6' stands to fit them in. 

[GVsailor]

Nice tank!  I agree about the sump, bigger is better.

[robmc13]

Hey Nick, The tank looks a lot better at your place then it did when you got it..lol. Can't wait to see it full of life.

[Nick]

Here is the deal on sumps.  The filter you have (I have one exactly the same btw) was designed more with saltwater in mind.  It is suppose to have a small area for excess water so that when water evaporates the saltwater tank owner is forced to address the evaporated water to make sure the salinity levels are correct.  Obviously in freshwater we do not have the same concerns.  So the bigger the sump the better! My recommendation would be to get a 55 or 40L and use it as the sump by placing the filter inside of it - you will have a lot less headaches if you don't have to add a 1/2 gallon of water every other day.

I can see what you mean. It is a bit of a pain to get just enough water to make sure the huge pump that i have is actually covered and still has enough space so it doesnt overflow if the power goes out. And....the level isnt too low so the siphon-break hole is still under water so it doesnt blow water everywhere. The crappy thing is that if I was to do that I would have to either

remove a support board temporarily

Or pray i can find a tank that will fit down in there without doing so....I think I'm screwed. I'm not about to tear this whole thing down either. You live and you learn right? If I wasn't getting the fish Saturday I might actually contiplate it but not at this point. I do a water change about every other day anyways so it wont be too big of a deal.

Hey,,,word to the wise MAKE SURE YOU USE A HOSE CLAMP ON THE HOSE CONNECTING TO YOUR OVERKILL PUMP!!! I did not and when i was playing with stuff (cause i cant leave well enough alone) it came off and sprayed me in the face the whole underneath of the tank and the well...you get the idea.

[Nick]

Hey Nick, The tank looks a lot better at your place then it did when you got it..lol. Can't wait to see it full of life.

Thanks again Rob for the help. And you're right...it does look better here, lol.  Since I saved half the water out of my old tank along with the filters Ill be adding some Tropheus soon providing all goes well....soon as in Saturday.

[Nick]

Awesome looking tank. What kind of fish is planed for it ?

Thanks. I am hoping to get a colony of Tropheus Ilangi saturday. I am really excited about.

[mightieskeeper]

Hey nick if you can't get one big sump in the stand.  You could plumb two 20 gallons together.  I just picked up my new 150 gallon tank yesterday.  They guy had 3 10 gallons plumbed together for his sump.