I'm Back to Freshwater and Starting a New Build

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speedy51

Aquarium Advice Activist
Joined
Apr 1, 2011
Messages
138
Location
Miami
OK, so after several years of being away from the freshwater world I decided to convert a 300 gallon saltwater aquarium. So I am converting my sump from my old salt water setup to a fresh setup.

My old sump which I had custom made measures 48"x20"x16"H. It only had two chambers. One for skimmer and the other for additional media. I took the first chamber and converter that into 3. First is the overflow which I plan to add chemi- pure at the bottom once the tank is cycled. Next chamber is setup very similar to a trickle filter but not exactly. I say similar because of the spillway of the water.

This compartment holds the mechanical filtration Matala media pads ranging from coarse to fine. The next compartment will hold submerged media (CerMedia MarinePure 1.5" Spheres) and Pond Matrix in held in a reactor chamber both will produce beneficial bacteria which will help with the largest chamber which will be a moving be filter. This will hold approximately 12 gallons of K2 media.

I finally finish it off with baffles to eliminate micro air bubble from entering the sump. So the sump is completed next I will be working on the power distribution on for the tank and re-configuring my Neptune controller system which I will probably post in a separate thread.

I didn't take many pictures while I was working but I did make a video of me running a leak and functionality test. Excuse the commentaries.

https://youtu.be/1BAkA1S665Q
 
Yes I have thought about it. I am leaning toward species specific like peacocks? Any thoughts?
 
Sound like an idea that I will definitely consider. I've read that peacocks and haps get along.
 
Progress update

Ok so this weekend I did a lot of work on the tank. I redid plumbing on the tank. The return line is new and the manifold was relocated. I also installed my UV filter. I cleaned up the bottom of the stand wipe off all the salt creep build up and inspected the shower pan material that Installed to protect the stand from accidental water spills or overflow.

I unfortunately I notice that both my reeflo pumps will need to have the seals replaced bumper :banghead:

Here are a few more pics
 

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First I've got to say, I wish my wife would allow me to upgrade to a 300 gal. Tank. "Not happening". I'm lucky to have my 120.
Regarding, Peacocks and Haps, they are very colorful and active, much like marine reef fish. A tank full of those would resemble a reef setup, with a lot less maintenence. Most don't grow very big, 5" - 8", so it will require quite a few of them to fill a big tank.
Might give Central American Cichlids a look. Their colors rival the Africans and IMO their personalities are more interesting.
I'm transitioning my 120 from a S.A. cichlid tank to Central American. I have numerous CA juveniles growing out in my 65 gal. Which include, Green Texas, Red Texas, Salvini, Flowerhorn, Firemouth, had 2 Electric Blue Jack Dempsey, but they unexpectedly died.
Looking forward to seeing your tank up and running.
 
Gotta love central American cichlid personalities. They are awesome.
Some truly amazing haps out there too, I'm a peacock guy, my avatar is my late Aulonocara hansbaenchi male, an awesome peacock.
 
First I've got to say, I wish my wife would allow me to upgrade to a 300 gal. Tank. "Not happening". I'm lucky to have my 120.
Regarding, Peacocks and Haps, they are very colorful and active, much like marine reef fish. A tank full of those would resemble a reef setup, with a lot less maintenence. Most don't grow very big, 5" - 8", so it will require quite a few of them to fill a big tank.
Might give Central American Cichlids a look. Their colors rival the Africans and IMO their personalities are more interesting.
I'm transitioning my 120 from a S.A. cichlid tank to Central American. I have numerous CA juveniles growing out in my 65 gal. Which include, Green Texas, Red Texas, Salvini, Flowerhorn, Firemouth, had 2 Electric Blue Jack Dempsey, but they unexpectedly died.
Looking forward to seeing your tank up and running.

Thanks V. I’ve never seen an electric blue Jack. Got a pic?
 
Electric Blue Jacks are awesome. Here is a pic of the two juveniles I had in my grow out tank. They were barely an inch long, probably got bullied to death by larger tankmates. Blue Jacks are fragile compared to standard Jacks.
 

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Electric Blue Jacks are awesome. Here is a pic of the two juveniles I had in my grow out tank. They were barely an inch long, probably got bullied to death by larger tankmates. Blue Jacks are fragile compared to standard Jacks.

Nice looking Jacks. Are they bigger now or are they recent pics. Either way they look great.
 
thanks. It took a while to plan it out. I'm still debating a couple of things but I'll post more soon.
I run a couple sumps and have built many.
I really like this design for fresh water and possible CO2 use I found a couple years ago...

175g DSA build - Page 4 - The Planted Tank Forum
He has a schematic of it in perma link 132...
I too am a sucker for the hardware. I enjoy the planning and building as much as the keeping and breeding ...:dance:
 
I run a couple sumps and have built many.
I really like this design for fresh water and possible CO2 use I found a couple years ago...

175g DSA build - Page 4 - The Planted Tank Forum
He has a schematic of it in perma link 132...
I too am a sucker for the hardware. I enjoy the planning and building as much as the keeping and breeding ...:dance:

Thanks Bandit. Nice build thread on the 175.
 
More work done

Well I came home from work today and decided to do a little work :dance:

I bought pvc pipe and fittings to run new lines tonight I installed new standpipes an emergency drain line, a water change line which I plumbed to the wackiness machine drain and completed my return line. I kept thinking about this tank all day long at work. Here are some more progress pics:
 

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These are the pics of the water change line
 

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Weekend update

So I got a lot of work this weekend taking advantage that it got cold down here in Miami :lol:

I managed to complete the plumbing overhaul that I wanted to do, basically putting all new PVC overflow drains and return. I also got a chance to change the seals on my pump and install my sump. I'll owe you the sump pics tonight. I got done pretty late and finally I re-worked the wiring for the Neptune controller system.

Enjoy
 

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Wow, looking high tech! Much left to do?

Please send some cold weather our way. It’s getting into summer peak here :)
 
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