500L Cube Fish Tank

I had a standard 4foot(250L) fish tank. That got a pressure crack and flooded my house and killed 10 fish...Luckily enough I had a spare tank in the garage, which im now using but the problem is that I dont now what filter I should be using for this tank can anybody please help me on where to get a filter and what filter would be best???Im currently running only 1 dolphin 500 HOB filter, Which isn't enough...

 

Try get yourself a canister filter. Lots to choose from. Eheim or Fluval are the best but also most expensive.

 

if it is 500l then your best filtration would be a sump...either drill your tank or DIY a durostand overflow.

if dont want to do that then 2 canister filters would suffice.

 

Ok well I've read abit about a sump but it seems to be rather confusing... I would be making an DIY overflow.
What else would i need..

• Sump Tank (what size sump tank for this size Tank?)
• Glass to make dividers (how many?)
• filter medium (whats the best?)
• return pump...Has to have head hieght of 1.5m (What should the LPH be?)

Is there anything Im missing please let me know...Would making a sump be cheaper or more expensive than having a canister filter?

Thanks in advance for all the help!!!:bigsmile:

 

Hi every one
I just watched a few videos on YOUtube about DIY sump. While I was watching I got an idea but don't know if it'll work...I hope it not a dumb idea!
but here is my idea anyway... If you had pump inside the main tank that sucked the water from that tank to the sump then another pump inside the sump that pushed the water back to the main tank...Because that would eliminate the problems with power failure as then both pumps would stop and no water will be moved from either tank,and the problem with a slower intake than output or Visa versa, or any problem with siphoning.I hope that make sense...
Could anybody tell me if they have had any experience with this?
If it worked?What are the things to look out for?
Thanks again

 

you wouldnt want to have a pump running from display tank to sump tank due to a few issues which my memory fails to recall. always always have gravity as your feed down.

for your previous query;

3 compartments is fine (inlcuding baffles)
3ft tank should do fine.
filter medium would be filter floss (for fine filtration), course foam (for removing of large debris), and then of course cyramic rings/efisubstrat (made by eheim). Stay away from bioballs unless you do a drip filter. they are less effective when completely submerged.

in regards to your return pump, get a decent brand (hailea or eheim). check the box on the side, there is a graph that details what the LPH is at a certain height. remember, the shittier the brand the less LPH at certain head heights compared to decent quality brand.

 

2 questions... what do you make the compartments out of?
and what LPH powerfilter should i be looking for, for my tank

 

Hi Brydon

I'm afraid your idea with the pump in the tank will have the opposite effect of what you mentioned above, if the electricity went off, the pump in the display tank will continue to siphon water down to your sump, resulting in water every except in the tank. Rather build an overflow.

I also reckon a 3 foot tank would do as a sump, 3 or 4 compartments with the media that small fry mentioned as well as some good quality carbon as well. And then leave on compartment open for your heater, temp guage etc. This is the nice thing about a sump, it allows you to have a display free of clutter.

Return pump wise, you should get away with 3 or 4 times the tanks volume per hour, say for instance a 1500LPH pump should suffice. And another good make of pump which is reasonably priced is the Lifetech range, very good quality and value for money.

Hope this helps and that you come right.
Good luck

Make the compartments out of glass baffles

 

if u planning of putting plants in the tank dont put the carbon in

 

If you thinking price and dont wanna get ripped off by LFS also look at boyu pumps.
Quality is quiet good I guess, I'm useing one in my 6ft have no problems and is silent.
Well priced at builders warehouse

 

Thanks everyone so much for your help.
I will keep you updated...I'm going to get everything on Monday...I Will most probably think of more questions before then
2 questions now quickly... What size pipes should i get?
How do i know if the pipes will fit the nozzle of the pump?

I'm still totaly Noob so you'll have to answer alot of stupid questions!!!!:bigsmile::bigsmile:

Thanks again

 

I reckon 25mm piping should be good

 

hi i would go for 32mm for overflow and 25mm for the return line... you get allot of plumbing fittings, you will get the pump "plumbed in" dont worry about that. A easy way is to connect silicone tubing to the pump and then go from there...