Filtration for a 140 G planted discus tank

[Gethenet]

I am in the process of setting up a 140 Gallon Planted tank. Was wanting to do a sump with this tank. Is that recommended? I am thinking of running two overflow boxes ( one on each side of tank...its a 4 ft tank ) and using two return pumps 755 gph each. ( probably looking at 550 gph each after it reaches tank)
Does this sound okay?

Thanks
Keith

[Gethenet]

Anone have any suggestions as far as filtration goes for this tank?

[Crispy]

the problem with planted tanks and sumps is that you can't pump co2 in for the plants because it would gas off in the sump and be wasted. if you're not planning any co2 (my knowledge of plants is very limited here), a sump is a fine idea. 2 bulkheads is great and I would use only one good return pump (gph gonna depend on size of bulkheads).

what is the size of the sump and your design?

with 2 bulkheads, I would use a 55g tank for a sump and do two trickle towers (3-4 drawers with media that the water trickles through and collects in the sump) one on each side. very simple and cheap to make.

other benefits of a 55g sump would be:
-approx 30g extra water volume
-a place to hide heaters
-a place to run hidden sponge filters if you wanted (good bio filtration and can be used to seed new tanks)
-easily maintained and customized to your needs :fish:

keep in mind a 1" overflow is good for 600gph

[Cermet]

Will the sump feed a wet/dry filter? or are you going to add bio-media in the slumps? and if so, what types?

[WhiteDevil]

the problem with planted tanks and sumps is that you can't pump co2 in for the plants because it would gas off in the sump and be wasted. if you're not planning any co2 (my knowledge of plants is very limited here), a sump is a fine idea. 2 bulkheads is great and I would use only one good return pump (gph gonna depend on size of bulkheads).

what is the size of the sump and your design?

with 2 bulkheads, I would use a 55g tank for a sump and do two trickle towers (3-4 drawers with media that the water trickles through and collects in the sump) one on each side. very simple and cheap to make.

other benefits of a 55g sump would be:
-approx 30g extra water volume
-a place to hide heaters
-a place to run hidden sponge filters if you wanted (good bio filtration and can be used to seed new tanks)
-easily maintained and customized to your needs :fish:

keep in mind a 1" overflow is good for 600gph


WRONG!

Co2 if dissolved correctly will dissolve at 100% via a reactor.

I run aqua pro 175 and 400 on my 210g PLANTED discus and 75g PLANTED angel tank with perfect 28ppm Co2 constantly.

You wont need two overflows, spend the 130 bucks and get a CS102 from CPR, you will need a larger pump if not another identical one to run paralleled.
I run a model 9.5 on my aquapro 175 wet/dry SUMP and have very little flow and am upgrading to twin model 12's, think about a two pump system itll be nicer for the tank. I run the CS102 in the center of the 75g with no issues at all.
Here is my 210g wet/dry discus planted tank, no hoods.
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]
tank has been up for over a year, no covers, surface aggitation, 28ppm co2 constant.
If its dissolved via a total reactor then you wont gas anything off but that burrito you ate. Overflows and planted tanks DO mix.

[funkman262]

WD, I'm not even seeing a sump in your picture. Are you trying to say that Crispy is wrong in saying that co2 would be wasted if using a sump? Well Crispy is right. While I'm sure it's possible to keep a constant co2 level of 28ppm, I can guarantee that you're using more co2 than if there was no overflow. You just need to pump the co2 quicker in order to compensate for what's gassed off in the overflow/sump process.

Nice tank though :22:

[WhiteDevil]

filter system is in the room behind the tank, it was way too large to fit under the stand. I use 5# of Co2 over a period of 8-10 weeks with consistant 28ppm readings. There is really NO surface aggitation when using a wet/dry, My 75g's surface is like looking at a sheet of glass as is on the 210g as well. if you have the return WELL below the water line there will be little to no surface activity.

8-10 weeks is considered normal use at that ppm level from the hobbyist to the pro's. Im frugal as can be and if it was being wasted id completely do away with it.

[funkman262]

WD, do you already have a journal or anything with more pics including the sump? If not, you mind posting it here and give more details on what you've used? I'm interested myself and I'm sure it would help Gethenet set up his overflow/sump system. Thanks :)

[WhiteDevil]

no journal as I dispise writing since I broke my hands. Its not easy to do anymore.

Here are a few pics, I WILL be getting clearer ones when I re-route the plumbing and relocate the UV light from under the tank to inline with the mag drives.

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]


Aquapro 400 wet/dry
twin model 12's
eheim pro 3 2080
3x big blue sediment filters
36w UV aquaultraviolet
AquariumPlants.com M5000 reactor.
All controlled VIA digital aquatics SL1

[funkman262]

Thanks for sharing. Now I feel bad for even asking lol. Don't worry, I'm done with my questions. Looks good.

[Lady Hobbs]

No one says you can't have plants without CO2, either. I don't run CO2 and my tanks are jammed full of plants.

[CrazedMichael]

Looking at the number of discus fish you have in that tank, I wouldn't be too worriesd about CO2 in the tank TBH.

[Gethenet]

Thanks for all the replys. Basically what im working with here is the following

140 gallon show tank 48x24x29....Its a brand new Oceanic tank. with stand.
I wasn't looking for a new tank, but this kind fell into my lap. I know a lady that works for a aquarium shop. this is one of the brands they sell...and because f the economy no one is willing to pay the $$$$ for Oceanic tank, so they are liquidating . I got the tank and stand for $89..:) I am also getting all the other sruff from her. Pumps over flows etc. I was going to go with a few canister filters. then I thought about the idea of being able to hide all my filters, heaters etc out of the main display would be real nice. the pumps im able to get from her...are the aqueon pumps. their biggest they sell are 755 gph. thats why I was looking at running two.talked to someone who setup a 120 g salt tank with these pump...said they run 755gph on lebel....with the incline of about 5 ft to his tank they run about 550gph....this being the reasoning behind running two with two over flow. im able to get these pumps and over flows at a steal as well. im on a budget and am trying to save as much $$ as I can. I understand that I may have to spend more money down the road for better equipment, however later on down the road...i hope to have a bigger budget and will be able to do so. was figuring i might have to run ball valves on the lines coming from the pumps...and will be able to control the flow. Does this setup sound about right? How far down the water line would I need to have the returns in order to not get alot of surface flow, so I can run c02? im new to all this and appreciate all the advice you guys can give. thanks for the help. was planning on ordering the pumps and over flows beginning of next week

[Gethenet]

So will I be okay running the sump with overflow boxes? Some say yes...some say no. As far as the c02 goes. Should i think of a different filtration?

[Cliff]

Whether you use a sump or other filtration such as canisters can be a personal choice as well. Both can be made to work every well for any set-up provided you take your time to research them and make informed choices. Either way, just make sure you have a flow rate of about 4X the total system volume (tank + sump if you add one) and the most bio media that you can get (the more the better). You should be OK with the overflows as you have decribed. You could also look at a few of the SW tank journals here. You can find some sump examples there as well. Just take your time and make the choice that best fits the set-up you want and that you are the most comfortable with.

Once you have figured out your filtration, I would suggest approaching the CO2 the same way. While CO2 will accelerate plant growth, it is not required. CO2 can be made to work in pretty much any set-up. Once again, it can be a personal choice whether you use it or not. Just take your time and decide which is best for the set-up you want, and what you are most comfortable with.

[WhiteDevil]

Youll be fine with a wet/dry with Co2, as said its not detremental. my 75g runs great with NO co2 and a wet/dry my 210 runs great with it due to regulating the Ph as well as the Co2 levels in the tank.

Contrary to popular belief a bunch of discus does not equal a bunch of Co2. The Co2 is used to keep the discus in consistant controlled environment. My 210 is a high tech beast however it proves you CAN run a trickle filter(wet/dry) and Co2 without wasting money.

[fishguy66]

10 discus in a 210? Beautiful tank, beautiful fish, great filtration, but don't you think it's a wee bit overcrowded? Any plans for a bigger tank? You certainly have the filtration for it!