mikeymik'd

Has anybody found this in Canada?

1" flows 600 gph, way to small. You would need 2 x 1.5 for 2700gph.

I would strongly recommend upgrading your sump size. 70 gal, probably running at half full only equals 35 gallons. Also you are gonna have issues with overflowing your sump when you lose power.

Any updates? Pics of it with growth?

Plastic gutter guard will work.

Here it is up and running in no time at all. I didn't glue it all together because its in the sump and if it leaks -who cares? Plus I can remove the screen for easy cleaning.The pump was a little too big for this application but I had parts left over from the overflow build and the pump was free- In case you haven't heard we're in a recession LOL! Without the ball valve on the top water shot straight across to the far side and sprayed all over. Even with other valve wide open. I could redo it but it works this way. I didn't anticipate so much pressure from this pump. PO4=somewhere between 0.5-1.0 mg/L and NO3=5ppm

What lights did you use?

What type of screen did you use?

does anyone know where to buy 3M color quartz in the Edmonton area?

or perhaps another black sand i can mix with play sand to darken it a little bit.

Call your local pool supply companies, Master Pools in Calgary carries it so I am assuming that a similar one in Edmonton would.

Would check out this thread, seems to have worked for him...

http://bcaquaria.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16899

thanks i got it fixed it has a over flow thats what the big ruber made i just had to much water i had both the tank and over flow filled therr was just to much water its fixed now runs great filters 1000 gallons of water an hr

The holes work until they get plugged.

Your best bet is to make proper overflows.

100% both your input (ie Overflow) and return will drain your tank in a power outage.

If for some freak instance it does not, it will overflow your tank once the power comes back on.

As previously mentioned, check out the MFK DIY section, in the stickies there is a thread on PVC overflow. There are also several other threads on sump building, to ensure you have it setup properly.

I have made a couple of each and once you understand them they are really easy....

That is in fact a Ruby Red Peacock. He was the boss man in the 55, but now? Not so much! Ha ha.

I'm gonna do some more research on the floating poo issue. I'm not sure that just blowing it around more is the solution I need. There is tons of flow already with my 1900gph pump pushing thru the 2 spraybars I set up. And they're adjustable to point at different angles. It's just not getting enough to the top off the overflow box to get sucked down to the sump.

Sorry if I missed it but what was your solution to the "poo issue"?

And of course did it work?

Looking for an inexpensive source for a 1" PVC Gate Valve (not a Ball Valve), preferably in the Calgary area, although I do regularly travel to Red Deer and Edmonton.

This is what i am looking for:

thinking about making a sump. looking for some good sites to help with this. or any ideas tips anybody may have would help so much. pics would also be great. thinking about a 33-55 gallon.

Would strongly suggest MFK, lots of DIY sump threads.

MFK

I received two. You could come get one of mine - but I have no scanner. I am in SW Calgary. Probably not worth going out in the cold tho'.

Thanks.....but I am out of town for over a week so that is why I wanted a scanned copy.

Anyone have a copy of the Big Als flyer for Calgary that they could scan and PM to me?

TIA

Hydor Koralia powerheads move a lot of water but have a more dispersed flow pattern than regular powerheads like a Maxijet. It would help keep fish poo suspended so that your filter can get it. Most reefers I know use these and I have one in my turtle tank with a sand substrate and have no issues.

Should have known the grand "Poo" bah would know how to keep the "poo" suspended!

Mikeymik'd, I think I understand what your saying, but I can't think of a way to do that without draining the tank, or at least the overflow completely. Would a pair of powerheads with some foam secured to the intakes do me any good do you think?

I think the output would be the issue (other than the sand chewing up the impellers). I dont run sand in my tanks nor do I run powerheads so maybe someone who does can chime in.

What about a PVC U tube that runs to the bottom? I was thinking maybe using a power head to power it but that could be a disaster waiting to happen.....

Now a question for you all with large tanks and sumps. I'm not real happy that only the top inch of water goes down for filtration (over the overflow). It seems that there is alot of floating fish poo and such that never gets sucked down there. What are my options to deal with some of this? I was thinking of addina a small but powerful submersible filter on either end of the tank. Other suggestions?

Thanks all.

Now I know you already have your overflow installed and tank running but the easiest way in a drilled is a double walled overflow. One side (of the 2 that are in the water) has 2 walls with slits at the bottom to suck "poo"" in then up and over a lowered (lower than the other top filtration side) inner wall. I suppose you could retrofit without need of silicone, just not sure how right now.

Easiest is a few powerheads to keep water moving, but you might have issues with sand being disturbed.

PS Awesome setup

We just bought s 110 gallon tank it came with a aquaclear 500 we are looking for other a cannister filter or a trickle what's the cheap and most efficient? Thanlks for your help

Cheapest and most efficient is a DIY w/d.

Thanks for all the comments. Wouldn't take much more to chang the size of it either. Just a matter of adding support between the corners as the length gets longer. Also, cost wouldn't go up significantly either, as I only used half of the 1/2" plywood sheet.

It is an awesome looking stand. I do have a couple of questions...

What holds the false front in place.

If you inverted the stand, using the current bottom as the top, do you think you can make it wider (say for a 4ft tank) without adding supports.

Thanks!

or educate yourself on sumps, and how easy to maintain and uber reliable and efficient they are. then plumb the tank and run a sump

The funny thing is I have done that some people like them some dont...depending on who you talk too. I have been also told to run a fluval fx5 as a sump is a top skimmer and most droppings and such doesnt float. Thanks for your opinion though.

Using the DIY PVC overflow you can actually have it pull water from the bottom of the tank.

Just wondering how you made out on your move?