Katie's seahorse tank build

[KatieFloy]

Ok. I am looking at overflows now. How do i know what the max flow rate is on the eshops. They have multiple models but i don't see anyway to match the model to a flow rate. With a 65 gallon tank i am shooting for about 650 gph right? However i would need to take into account the lift to figure out actual return pump size right?

I found this continuous siphon one which says 800gph but the eshops don't seem to include gph so i have no clue which model i would need. Plumbing is so complicated!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000...sr=8-71&keywords=overflow+boxes+for+aquariums

 

[mgoesma]

I went with 8 times. but yes 650 would be great.

I would recommend -
CPR CS90 Overflow Box (600gph)
or
CPR CS100 Overflow Box (1000 gph)
for a return pump i would recommend something like Jabao DCT-6000

This chart shows the flow at different head pressures.
FYI: 650 gallons is about 2460.52 liters. so you wouldn't run that pump at full strength.

 

[mgoesma]

you will love the sump options. It will make your tank so much cleaner looking without everything hanging in the display. another option may also be to have a local fish store drill the tank for you. it would probably be cheaper than using a decent HOB overflow. Check with your local stor a lot of them offer the service for a vary reasonable price.

 

[KatieFloy]

Yeah. My local store is petco so don't think i would trust them.

I just went to measure my stand and tank. I assume the return pump sits in the bottom of the sump. In that case the head height would be 4'3". I have got to be reading this chart wrong or i would need that super gimungo pump.

 

[mgoesma]

the chart is in M (meters) so look at about 1.25.
so the 6000 would give you 4000 L (1056.688 gallons) at the return level. so if you got that one you would run it at 50% power. or you could go with the 4000 and run it at 100% power. that may be a better option. they way it doesn't get bumped and cause the flow to go to high.

 

[KatieFloy]

Oh i see. That should have been obvious since the liquid measure was metric. Sorry blonde moment.

 

[vlangel]

I went with 8 times. but yes 650 would be great.

I would recommend -
CPR CS90 Overflow Box (600gph)
or
CPR CS100 Overflow Box (1000 gph)
for a return pump i would recommend something like Jabao DCT-6000

This chart shows the flow at different head pressures.
FYI: 650 gallons is about 2460.52 liters. so you wouldn't run that pump at full strength.

+1 on the Jabao DCT pumps. I recently switched out my 10 year old Mag drive 9.5 that I bought used for a Jabao DCT 6000. My sump is in the basement so I had 10 ft of head pressure but I really liked the quietness of the DCT 6000, plus they are more energy efficient and give off less heat than a mag drive. (I did love the durability of the mag drive however. That pump still runs so its my back up). I agree with mgoesma that a 4000 is probably right for you.

 

[vlangel]

I looked at eshopps over flow boxes and the PF-800 is set up for 800gph. I think it was $79.99 at Dr Smith and Foster. You could check Amazon too. Anyway alittle more than 10Xs turnover is good so you could get the Jabao DCT 6000 and just turn it down a bit. You just watch the water level in the display tank and make sure that the drain is able to handle the amount without rising or creating a syphon and making a flushing noise. You could probably split your return nozzles and that might give you enough flow in multiple directions so you don't need any powerheads. That will make a very clean looking set up.

 

[KatieFloy]

So do protein skimmers need to be rated at the same gph as the return?

 

[vlangel]

So do protein skimmers need to be rated at the same gph as the return?

No, you choose your protein skimmer by your tank's capacity. Your tank is a 65 gallon, however since your tank is going to be a seahorse tank the skimmer needs to be rated for 2 or 3 Xs. I would choose a skimmer rated for a 130 gallon tank or up to a 190 gallon tank. The better the skimmer the better for your tank.

 

[mgoesma]

With skimmers I really believe you get what you pay for. I found my reef octopus on Craig's list they all for 189 and I picked it up for $60.

 

[prsnlty]

Hope it's ok to butt in If you can get someone to drill the tank look into h20verflow. I originally tried one out on my grandsons tank and fell in love with how simple and non-intrusive it is. I'm on my phone so I don't have the direct link but it is on the customaquariums.com website. It comes with different size drain grommets to use to match your flow. It's $70 but a nicer looking and operating option than hob. See if you can see it in this 1st pic. The second pic is what it looks like.

This was taken right after I installed it thus the reason for the rubber band to hold the top on it. The black thing on top of it is a power adapter that I just sat there for no reason lol. To the left of the h2overflow is their siphonstop return also. I now have these in use on nearly all my tanks but the 180 and frag tank. Anyway, it's just another option.

 

[vlangel]

Hope it's ok to butt in If you can get someone to drill the tank look into h20verflow. I originally tried one out on my grandsons tank and fell in love with how simple and non-intrusive it is. I'm on my phone so I don't have the direct link but it is on the customaquariums.com website. It comes with different size drain grommets to use to match your flow. It's $70 but a nicer looking and operating option than hob. See if you can see it in this 1st pic. The second pic is what it looks like.

This was taken right after I installed it thus the reason for the rubber band to hold the top on it. The black thing on top of it is a power adapter that I just sat there for no reason lol. To the left of the h2overflow is their siphonstop return also. I now have these in use on nearly all my tanks but the 180 and frag tank. Anyway, it's just another option.

Wow, that is nice and low profile!

 

[prsnlty]

Wow, that is nice and low profile!

Yes, I love it! From what I understand, each one is good for up to 1000gph or 100g tank. However I personally would use 2 on anything over a 75g tank or 4' long. It is also much quieter than hob. If you have noise it is either you have the incorrect grommet in use or it's at the hose and sock location. If at the end of the hose (or pipe) in the sock simply drill some air escape holes just be fore the sump waterline. These are worth every penny [emoji12]

I too was afraid to drill my first tank ! But once I did one there's no going back LOL it's a lot simpler than one may think. I practice on a sheet of glass and then I practice on an old tank I was about to get rid of and then I drilled a 180 gallon tank. And believe me that took us 3 hours to drill 2 holes because of how thick the glass was. After that it's been very simple drilling the small tanks haha. This tank took about 15 minutes for both holes. There are a lot of videos on YouTube on how to do it.

 

[KatieFloy]

Picking up the sump this weekend. Also have my project supplies ready. First step painting the inside of the cabinet and canopy. Then the tank. We will see how much i get done this weekend. Hopefully i can move the cabinet to its final location by monday.

 

[mgoesma]

Nice sump.

 

[mgoesma]

How did day one of painting go?

 

[KatieFloy]

Not as quickly as i hoped. I cleaned the tank but its kinda cloudy toward the top. Going to try vinegar tomorrow. Stand is in progress. I want to paint the inside of the stand and repaint inside of the hood with mildew resistant paint. First coat is done on the stand but needs at least one more. I am hoping i bought enough paint.

I think i am going to try out my paint for the tank on the sump first. That way if i don't like it i won't have to look at it. Still hoping to get the stand in the house by monday night (allowing for drying time).

 

[KatieFloy]

Work in progress. Beautiful day for it. Thought i was done but need to paint inside of doors and missed some sections in the canopy.

I did a test run on the sump to make sure i like the paint. Realized when i started spraying that the paint was translucent! Not the effect i was going for. So used some white i had laying around to cover. Will see how it looks tomorrow when it dries.

Sadly i can't seem to get rid of the cloudy glass at the top of the tank. Hopefully it wo

n't be too noticeable once there is water in it. Tried bleach water and vinegar.

Here are some pics from while i was working. Everything is still in the garage drying.

 

[prsnlty]

Work in progress. Beautiful day for it. Thought i was done but need to paint inside of doors and missed some sections in the canopy.

I did a test run on the sump to make sure i like the paint. Realized when i started spraying that the paint was translucent! Not the effect i was going for. So used some white i had laying around to cover. Will see how it looks tomorrow when it dries.

Sadly i can't seem to get rid of the cloudy glass at the top of the tank. Hopefully it wo

n't be too noticeable once there is water in it. Tried bleach water and vinegar.

Here are some pics from while i was working. Everything is still in the garage drying.

For the waterline stain; Try lime away or clr and lay a soaked rag over it for an hour or so then scrape with a fresh razor blade. This worked for me in the past.

It all looks great!