mrramsey's 72gal Bowfront with Sump Project

**mrramsey** · 03-05-2013, 10:53 PM

Man thats a nice tank! I would love something that big but like the price point oc staying in the 48" footprint.

I am headed to the lfs to pick up a second thermometer.

**Hardy85** · 03-06-2013, 11:11 AM

Having issues with the temp?

**mrramsey** · 03-06-2013, 12:21 PM

Hi Hardy - My biggest issue was calibrating the thermometers LOL. Two different brands of digital thermometers yield two different temps. I found the coralife to be a bit more accurate. At any rate I set the thermostat on the heater to appx 78 degrees. Why so high? Since it is not in a large body of water and in a fast moving current it will need to be slightly higher.The current temp in the sump is about 76.7 degrees and at the bottom of the tank below the outlet (figured this would be the coldest spot) I am reading 76.3).

Conclusion:
Plenty of circulation to maintain a consistent water temp for tropical fish. I should expect about a 1/2 degree temp drop from the surface to the bottom of the tank.

**waack** · 03-06-2013, 12:24 PM

Impressive build i have recently finished something like this myself, running the bean animal overflow system without the coast to coast though. Great system 100% silent and self adjusting glad someone else is using it !

**Hardy85** · 03-06-2013, 12:37 PM

One more thing, I think you should put some sort of sponge over your drip plate.. the mechanical filtration will prevent any uneaten food etc from getting stuck in the bio-balls

Or, put a sponge directly below where the tank outlets fall into the sump... but I think that would be harder to maintain

**mrramsey** · 03-06-2013, 12:44 PM

Originally Posted by Hardy85

One more thing, I think you should put some sort of sponge over your drip plate.. the mechanical filtration will prevent any uneaten food etc from getting stuck in the bio-balls

Or, put a sponge directly below where the tank outlets fall into the sump... but I think that would be harder to maintain

I am a step ahead of you Hardy but good catch!. It is in my plat to put a layer of fine filter pad on there. I just haven't picked it up yet.

@Waack - Yes I am happy with it. I have done a couple dozen power outage simulations now and it performs perfectly every time.

**Hardy85** · 03-06-2013, 12:54 PM

Lol, great minds think alike.

On a positive note... my gf says she really likes the bowfront tanks :) meaning that I would be allowed one... I worked on a stock list.. what ya think

Red Irian Rainbowfish school
Sterbai Cory school
Marble Hatchet fish school
Bolivian Rams (5+)
Cardinal Tetra school
Otos / or bristlenose pleco (8 oto or 3 br)

**mrramsey** · 03-06-2013, 02:02 PM

So a new project should start soon then? I have yet to nail down my stock list. I am searching for the right piece of wood.

**Hardy85** · 03-06-2013, 02:16 PM

What I've seen when it comes to wood is that putting a few pieces together with a few rocks built in around the base looks good (almost like its 1 big piece that broke)

not sure of what look you're going for, but my project is going to be in planning stage until at least the end of the year. and you gotta start working on that stock, so you can build your hardscape around it lol

**mrramsey** · 03-06-2013, 02:45 PM

I kind of have an idea of what I want. Something like a larger stump looking piece at the right tapering off lower to the left with a few smaller chunks scattered along the way. Would like some larger stones to make a shelf. A local nursery has these rocks called "Zebra Rock" that I like for $.014 per pound. This is a larger example of what it looks like.

I am looking at these pieces for the wood. Might buy all and just use 1 or 2 - http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sh...322&highlight=