How do you......?

[andymi]

Ok, looking around all these websites and pictures I noticed a couple things. First off I dont see much equipment hanging in your tanks. Right now I have 1 Heater, the wet/dry hanging over the back , and now 1 CAP 600 power filter for circulation. Where is everyone putting this equipment? Are you putting the heaters in the wet/dry return?
Another question I have is, how and where are you putting your filters for circulation so that they do not blow sand all around? I put one in for extra circulation yesterday and this morning it had blow all the sand out of a certain area all the way down to the bottom of the glass, and I have it suctioned up near the top of the tank pointing towards the front. Just curious what I can do to remove some of this stuff from the inside so it looks nicer.
Thanks...Andy

 

[broomer5]

If you have the room, you can put your heater in your sump of your wet/dry system ( if you have a sump ).
I would not place the heater in the return line.
As far as powerheads - not much you can do. They are ugly has all get out - but necessary. Some people hide them behind LR or decorations best they can. Just remember you have to get to them for maintenance.
If your powerheads are blowing subtrate, move them up some, or locate them low in the tank and direct the nozzle so it's not blasting the sand around. A tank background help's hide what is behind the tank, wires, return line, etc.
See ya,
Brian

 

[saltwater marauder]

I know that besides the powerheads alot of people are putting most of their equip in their sump. Some are using berlin methos and running only a skimmer and using rock for filtration and small regular waterchanges. In my 37 the powerhead in the lower corner is hidden by rock with an open channel for current to pass through and on the top its in the open. Sometimes the hangon equip will not be hidden by a backing and then when you see a tank with the same hang on equip with a backing it looks a whole lot different. IN mine I tried to landscape with the thought of hiding my equipment.

 

[andymi]

Well maybe I am getting confused as to what you are calling the "sump". Essentially what i have is a box hanging into my aquarium. From there it goes down into the wet/dry. The hose connects to the lid of the wetdry which then trickles the water through a filter, then into the area with the bio-balls. From the bio-balls it drops to another area at the bottom. At the bottom there is 3 chambers. On the left is the water coming out of the bio-balls. In the middle is another filter, and on the far right there is the power head (1800) which pushes the water bank into the tank. There is a picture of this on my site in the setup section. I was thinking of mounting it in that area, but not sure that will work good enough. Otherwise, it is a submersible pump which sits inside the glass.
As far as the power filter for circulation I may have to get a small piece of tubing or something to redirect the airflow. Unfortunately the plastic piece that came with it just points straight out.
What can I do about the heater? Is that the right place to put it (in the wet/dry return area?)
--Andy

 

[burnnspy]

A sump is a second 'tank' used to increase the systems water volume and put equipment that would otherwise be placed in the main tank, taking up space.
A lot of people eventually convert the wet dry filter into a sump by getting rid of the nitrate generation bio-balls and other installed filters.
In my reef tank I have a skimmer, 2 power filters(flow only no filters) and a powerhead and my heater is in the power filter.
BurnNSpy

 

[broomer5]

Andy,
You are on the right track. I looked at your website and saw pic of your w/d/sump, for 75 gallon tank. Place your heater in the far right chamber where your return pump is located. Don't know the length of your heater, but make sure it is completely submersed under water level - turn it sideways if you must. You may have to buy a shorter heater of appropriate wattage for your tank if your current one is too long.
This will at least get rid of one unsightly device from your display tank.
Good luck,
Brian