400 gallon setup advise please

[williamrandel]

I have dealt with saltwater predator and reef tanks for about 20 years. The company that I work for has the opportunity to install a 400 gallon ( 72" x 36" x 36") freshwater setup as part of a office interior project. The tank and stand are the only parts that I am confident in my knowledge. With my saltwater background, lighting and filtration for freshwater are not my forte when dealling with freshwater. I would appreciate and input and advise. The only specs that I cannot change are freshwater and the tank size. Thanks in advance.

 

[Ralphs indoor pool]

Hi,

Just building a freshwater setup myself, would you be installing a controller on this system? Some sort of plc? Will the tank have a sump?

 

[thras]

Planted aquarium or fish only with rock or fake plants? As far as filtration go just remember u want the tank to turn over 10 times per hour or at least close for example 10 gal aquarium u want 100gph filter of better

 

[jcolon]

I'm figuring a 400 Gal is going to need good filtration ... either industrial like what's used in some LFS's like petco /petsmart ... or at least two fluval FX-5's.

 

[thras]

You could do a sump with a pump for filtration or with the two fx5

 

[williamrandel]

Hi,

Just building a freshwater setup myself, would you be installing a controller on this system? Some sort of plc? Will the tank have a sump?

Currently, we are responsible for install and initial setup. I am planning to use a sump at this point.

Planted aquarium or fish only with rock or fake plants? As far as filtration go just remember u want the tank to turn over 10 times per hour or at least close for example 10 gal aquarium u want 100gph filter of better

I would prefer planted, but due to the clients vision, we will probably move towards FO w/rock or fake aquascape. Thier primary focus is aquaculture and I feel like the livestock will be their focus.

 

[williamrandel]

I'm figuring a 400 Gal is going to need good filtration ... either industrial like what's used in some LFS's like petco /petsmart ... or at least two fluval FX-5's.

You could do a sump with a pump for filtration or with the two fx5

Will the FX-5's provide adequate turn over and filtration? Also, are these filters quiet?

 

[Ralphs indoor pool]

With regards to lighting, based on live plants also,

I would go down the lines of

1 full spectrum daylight around 6500k / 930+
1 triphosphor cool white 5000k for color of fish
1 warm white for sunrise 3000k
1 blue led strip for evening light

You could switch these in sequence for real good effect, by using a siemens logo or something simular. As well as many other parts.

Pm if need any further details

 

[williamrandel]

Rendering

Here is a quick rendering for one side of the tank. It will be a thru-wall view with the tank installed inside a conference room.

 

[Bud]

Here is a quick rendering for one side of the tank. It will be a thru-wall view with the tank installed inside a conference room.

WOW! That's gonna be awesome! Following...

 

[thras]

As for the lighting I would go with something around 1wpg beings ur not doing plants you could do something with a couple of accent and a couple of normal bulbs and it would help show the fish off what kind of fish are going in?

 

[thras]

As for the filtration again I would go with a stump with a pump I wouldn't go with just the fx-5s but thats just me and because I want more water flow than they have to offer

 

[williamrandel]

As for the lighting I would go with something around 1wpg beings ur not doing plants you could do something with a couple of accent and a couple of normal bulbs and it would help show the fish off what kind of fish are going in?

The only answer I have been given to this point in regards to livestock is indigenous species to Alabama.

As for the filtration again I would go with a stump with a pump I wouldn't go with just the fx-5s but thats just me and because I want more water flow than they have to offer

I feel more comfortable using a sump as this is how all of the reef tanks are setup. In the past I have always made them custom/DIY to fit the needs of the saltwater system. I am considering a Wet/Dry for this setup. Any thoughts?

 

[jcolon]

Will the FX-5's provide adequate turn over and filtration? Also, are these filters quiet?

Here's some info on the Fluval FX-5 ...There are other comparable filters, but any larger and you'd probably have to special order a filter.

Advanced, multi-staged canister filtration system providing maximum ---versatility and premium performance for aquariums up to 400 gallons
Self-starting; Fluval Smart Pump Technology provides a quiet and efficient operation
Equipped with Click-Fit Connectors for quick set-up and leak proof maintenance
AquaStop Valve offers an air- and water-tight seal permitting hosing to be disconnected without breaking the vacuum
High capacity canister filters 925 gallons per hour; 3-year warranty.

 

[thras]

Here's some info on the Fluval FX-5 ...There are other comparable filters, but any larger and you'd probably have to special order a filter.

Advanced, multi-staged canister filtration system providing maximum ---versatility and premium performance for aquariums up to 400 gallons
Self-starting; Fluval Smart Pump Technology provides a quiet and efficient operation
Equipped with Click-Fit Connectors for quick set-up and leak proof maintenance
AquaStop Valve offers an air- and water-tight seal permitting hosing to be disconnected without breaking the vacuum
High capacity canister filters 925 gallons per hour; 3-year warranty.

This is true that is exactly what the box says but I wouldn't use just one if I was doing a 400 gal aquarium I use the 205 on my 30 gal to give it more flow it helps make the tank more clear manufactures put the max u can use on a filter IMO a wet dry would be vary nice for this set up I think i would go with that

 

[HUKIT]

I don't care what Fluval says on their box a Fx5 as a flow rate of 600.gph with media so filtering a 400g tank with one is recipe for disaster, I'm not knocking the filter since I own three.

For a 400g depending on bioload I would use a large wet/dry sump along with a FX5 at the minimum. I have friends with 300-400g tanks running three FX5's to keep up.

 

[jcolon]

This is true that is exactly what the box says but I wouldn't use just one if I was doing a 400 gal aquarium I use the 205 on my 30 gal to give it more flow it helps make the tank more clear manufactures put the max u can use on a filter IMO a wet dry would be vary nice for this set up I think i would go with that

I agree, that's why I recommended at least two on my earlier post.

 

[thras]

I don't care what Fluval says on their box a Fx5 as a flow rate of 600.gph with media so filtering a 400g tank with one is recipe for disaster, I'm not knocking the filter since I own three.

For a 400g depending on bioload I would use a large wet/dry sump along with a FX5 at the minimum. I have friends with 300-400g tanks running three FX5's to keep up.

There u go someone that has experience with huge tanks and the fx5 filters

 

[HUKIT]

There is alot of knowledge on this site but most people don't keep tanks that large on here, my largest are two 150's and a 180g. The best place for very large tanks and actual experience with filtration is...

MonsterFishKeepers.com

I don't post very often but do look through the cichlid sections daily.

 

[jcolon]

There is alot of knowledge on this site but most people don't keep tanks that large on here, my largest are two 150's and a 180g. The best place for very large tanks and actual experience with filtration is...

MonsterFishKeepers.com

I don't post very often but do look through the cichlid sections daily.

Cool ... took a quick look ... will check it out more later. LOL don't think my tiny Barbs in a 75gal qualify for that site.