120g oscar tank | barrel sump build

[fijiwigi]

Anybody recommend a good overflow box that can handle the job? Instead of an aquarium for a sump I assume I can just use a 55g trash can. If I bought a 2nd 55g trash can I could fill it with water, move my heaters and pump and bam water change is done. (Keep the trash cans on wheels to make dumping the water easy)

Here is my shopping list
> Overflow box and plumbing parts
> Water pump 1200gph
> Sump (possibly trash can or tote)
> 2 heaters
> Fluval Canister filter
> Carbon, test kit, ammonia for fishless cycle.
> 80# black sand
> Spray paint to repaint the stand
> Timer for the lights
> New plastic gap fillers for the glass lids.

*Edit- Couldn't I just skip the canister filter concept and get a 2nd water pump? Or do I really need a 2nd pump running? If I get a 1800gph rated pump it should handle the flow. As long as a had a backup pump on hand in case the main pump failed I should be ok I think? Make myself some home made baskets to house filter media?

** Also I am considering fabricating my own overflow box design. IF I am successful should save me about $100

 

[fijiwigi]

I decided on using a 70gallon Rubbermaid Stock tank (Ace hardware $69.99) as my sump tank.. Most wouldn't want that as its not too eye appealing. What is going to make it cool is I am going to lay a platform over half of it. On that platform I am going to set a square Rubbermaid Tote. The overflow will flow into the tote. At the top of the tote I am going to cut a long slice into it. The tote will overflow into the stock tank and create a waterfall. This will add about 80 gallons of water giving me roughly 200 gallon capacity

 

[mikem691]

Sounds cool Post pictures when you do it.

 

[ImACoolguy]

Sounds cool Post pictures when you do it.

Definitely add pics of the setup. Would love to see how it works.


Caleb

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[fijiwigi]

Waiting on the FEDEX guy

 

[fijiwigi]

Girlfriend got excited about my project, bought her a 40g. She landscaped it now I'm teaching her about a fish less cycle and water testing

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[fijiwigi]

Pic 2

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[Alexwm125]

Lol my girlfriend couldn't care less about fish. I wish she would actually want to set up a tank instead of requiring a TON of convincing. What is she going to stock it with?


29g Community

3g Betta

 

[fijiwigi]

She's gonna do a community tank. she likes angel fish, guppies, mollies and about every fish she sees at the pet store lol.

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[ImACoolguy]

You're a lucky man. Mine took no interest at all in my fish. She didn't like them cuz they take up a lot of my time.


Caleb

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[fijiwigi]

Making some good progress. Skipped the water fall idea for now. Got 2 55g barrels for free. So far all I've invested is $90 on the overflow. And $40 in plumbing. I do need advice though on plumbing the 2 barrels together so water flows freely

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[ImACoolguy]

Looking good! I'm not good at plumbing... Maybe someone with sump experience will chime in.


Caleb

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[fijiwigi]

I have 2 large 2" tubes from the eshopps pf-1800 flowing into one 55g barrel the 2nd barrel is for the return pump. I have a 1" flex tube thats gonna go from the pump to a barb fitting that attaches to a 1" ball valve. Made my own return tube from 1" PVC that I drilled a bunch of holes in (like a machine gun) to return the flow

I need to know the best way to plumb the 2 55g barrels together. Being that the barrels are rounded I am unsure how to get a good seal. I am looking for "overkill" flow option between the barrels just to be safe. I also am thinking I cut the connection between the barrels about 3/4 of the way up the barrel. (should add about 60 gallons water capacity) with about 30 gallons buffer for when the power is killed.

The pond pump I got "for free" is in good condition But only rated at 1300gph will get me started for now

 

[fijiwigi]

I also got these bio balls and filter media for free. I assume I'll put them in the return pump barrel. Place the power head in the drain line barrel. Heater in return pump barrel as well. Just buy a large mesh screen for a pile of carbon and place that in the drain barrel

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[fijiwigi]

I figured out that I need to buy whats called a "Uniseal" to seal the PVC pipe threw the barrels. Placed my order. Once they arrive I can finish my set up and add water

 

[fijiwigi]

Painted my return flow pipe. This and the black overflow box will be the only thing inside the display tank.

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[fijiwigi]

Think I'm gonna do a black background. With albino oscars

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[fijiwigi]

Can someone chime in on how much pure ammonia (10%) I would measure to add for this volume of water to start my cycle at 5ppm?

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[NigelK8485]

Can someone chime in on how much pure ammonia (10%) I would measure to add for this volume of water to start my cycle at 5ppm?

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14.95 mL or roughly 1 tablespoon.

http://www.fishforums.net/aquarium-calculator.htm


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[fijiwigi]

Thanks nigelk8485. I tablespoon is all it takes for about 180 gallons of water? That's some strong stuff

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