Quote:
Originally Posted by
b20forlife http:///t/389097/newbie-125gal-filtration-set-up#post_3436618
Ok so I received my tank and Stan today. There is no way to put a sump underneath the tank because the design of the cabinet. I have only 2 section were I could probably put about a 10 gal sump if that. So I think im going have have to research into a hob filtration system. I was thinking of using a reef octopus lx2000s hob skimmer. I think its rated for 150 gallons. Also I was planning on putting 2 of the marlin 350 canisters as additional filtration. I know the canisters are real pain because you have to clean them often right? Will this be enough filtration? Ill also have 100lbs of live rock and 100lbs of live sand. Am I atleast on the right track or way off on my filtration?
Congrats on the new tank and welcome to the site!!!
I just recently went to a 125g tank and I love it. Snakeblitz33 is helping me make a algae scrubber for some extra filtration. Here are my thoughts for your filtration along with a little side story on what happened to me, for what its worth.
I started by buying a 72x18x18" tank off of Craig's list for like $275.00 came with everything needed for a nice fresh water setup. UV sterilizers, air stones, stand, and all that. The more I researched the more I realized that I wanted to have a sump underneath the stand. I looked into the external overflows (like Snake was suggestion) but the fact that they can (unlikely but still could happen) lose the siphon made me a bit nervous. Then I looked into drilling the tank and installing some aftermarket internal overflows (check out glass-holes.com). But when I added up the cost of doing that plus the fact I would be drilling hole in a used tank also made me VERY nervous. So with the extra cost to add overflows I found that I could purchase a brand new 125g (same dimensions) for close to the same price. I sold the tank on Craig's list for like $200.00, I kept the stand frame, heaters, and some other small stuff. Took the $ and ordered a Reef Ready tank.
I might have spent and extra $100.00 compared to if I just drilled the used tank and put in the aftermarket overflows.
Then I bought a 36G sump to put under the stand... Got it home and of course it was a tight fit to get it in, only to realize that once I got it in it was not coming out EVER. I also noticed that I was not going to be able to service any equipment inside the stand. So back to the store went the sump. I ended up and was fortunate enough to have the Best wife ever and Lucky enough to have a big closet next to where the tank was going. SO in the "Fish room" went the bigger sump.
Now you might not have room for a fish room. But I think you can get away with doing a sump underneath your stand. There is a thread on here where someone made a sump system using two tanks under the stand. I think it was a 20g tall and a 20g long.. I think that it was Sparty that did it on a big tank. This is a bit harder then making it out of a 30g like Seth said but still could be done. I think you would be fine using an external overflow like the Eshopps. It would be more work up front to get all this going this way but I think you would be much happier with it in the long run. Check out the look of some tanks that don't have a sump. They get all junkie looking with all the stuff hanging on the back of the tank. Plus depending on were you put the DT you might not be able to walk behind the tank to service the equipment.
So, I think that a good sump system ( you could totally do a DIY!!), a good skimmer (the ones Snake said are all on the good side), and maybe a scrubber along with a good amount of flow and LR inside the DT should be all the filtration you need.
Good luck with setting up the tank. Keep us posted on what you decide to do for filtration. Oh and remember, We LOVE to see pictures!!!!
Ryan.
