ozmo Posted September 27, 2013 Report Share Posted September 27, 2013 (edited) So I'm working on ideas for an additional 5ft 4 teir system to take the place of a three teir 6ft system which I'll be selling soon. TANKS: 10mm rimless, starfire face... > more to come STAND: I'm thinking of going 40x40x2 box steel either coated with POR-15 or powder coated. SUMP: I'm not sure yet on the size. I do have a 3x2x18 sump but I doubt it will be big enough to handle this volume. PUMP: Aquael PFN10000 PLUS (Thanks Steve) MEDIA: K1, Matrix, Poret foam... > more to come PLUMBING: 1" bulkheads, PVC piping, Blagdon ball valves... > more to come LIGHTING: Aquazonic Miricle Lighting and UP Aqua Pro Z LED EXTRAS: Blagdon UV steriliser, Tunze 3155 Osmolator... > more to come Any comments or advice would be very much welcomed. Thanks, Rob Anyhow, here it is... Edited September 28, 2013 by ozmo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldenswimmers Posted September 27, 2013 Report Share Posted September 27, 2013 Nice mate(love watching "restricted space" stuff to get ideas!) Just me personally id dop bottom tank a little to free a little more space above top tank but yep me likes..space savers are winners Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the German Posted September 27, 2013 Report Share Posted September 27, 2013 #only put 1 inlet per tank that way you save on fitting and you get better water movement #use a Aquael pump so you all ways have more flow but only pay for power used # get rid of the sump and get a easy pod nexus .easier to clean and do a far better job than any sump Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldenswimmers Posted September 27, 2013 Report Share Posted September 27, 2013 why I like this place...smart fishkeepers share info!!!...(and the spud fishkeepers supply entertainment!)...we all win ..nice Steve ive looked at the nexus guys before(anyone who does koi filtration knows their filtration) but never thought of it for a sump....beautiful idea...up to 20,000lts should suit most needs ....but save the paper run money she is pricey....well worth it you would imagine with its capabilities...I still think if people do their research(understand filtration etc) you can make some super trickle towers and nice external/canister style filters with DIY stylee...and imagine the more you do it..the better/prettier they will get.. Hey Rob any reason why you went 13" high??...just for extra water for the guys??...drop them down to 12 and increase spaces between tanks?..Im a fan of a good tank space Have to say mate I like the surface area of these tanks..hubba hubba!...very nice.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparhawkleo Posted September 27, 2013 Report Share Posted September 27, 2013 I am think of just using a canister filter as a sump when I setup my 4x2fts on a rack soon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozmo Posted October 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2013 Nice mate(love watching "restricted space" stuff to get ideas!) Just me personally id dop bottom tank a little to free a little more space above top tank but yep me likes..space savers are winners I'd love to drop the bottom tank further but how would it then feed into the sump? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Tech Den Posted October 1, 2013 Report Share Posted October 1, 2013 You could just run direct from the outlet to the sump ( no elbow ) I did this with a 4X2X2 where it just went direct from tank to sump but in your case you would just extend from outlet across to sump (on a slight angle) and have the above tanks run with the elbow shown in the pic just the bottom one would not connect into it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aquaholic99 Posted October 1, 2013 Report Share Posted October 1, 2013 If your trying to save space then you can turn the bottom tank into your sump instead and still have fish within. Or add some side drop filters or trickle trays to each tier and use the bottom tank as catchment only. The sump is taking up a huge amount of real estate. Personally I prefer 3 foot width as this increases your stocking capacity substantially for very little space. As your custom building these tanks, you might consider having the back and sides another 5 cm higher to stop jumpers and not worry about having lids at all? Lids are expensive, get in the way, need cleaning, reduce light and can get broken. Thickness of tank glass does not have to increase as water level is still the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Tech Den Posted October 1, 2013 Report Share Posted October 1, 2013 Would have lids on the top tank as there is not a lot of room from the tank to the ceiling and would expect mildew/moisture problems on the ceiling if you did not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aquaholic99 Posted October 1, 2013 Report Share Posted October 1, 2013 Yes... if your heating the tanks you will get condensation but if your heating the room then there won't be a problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozmo Posted October 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2013 Thanks everyone for your input. I have made a few adjustments and taken on some advise from you guys as well. I will definitely be considering the Aquael PFN10000 PLUS. Thanks for that Steve. I have gained some more room by shaving a few inches off here and there and dropped the bottom tank marginally. Thanks John and Brent. I'm going to give the refugium, with Miracle Mud a go. Anyone have any experience with a freshwater refugium? Pros or cons? I probably should point out that the position of the sump, in the illustration, is just for the purpose of the illustration and will actually run perpendicular to the tier. Regarding lids... I won't use them. I've never really have to be honest. The only fish I have ever had issue with jumping have been Frontosa which I no longer keep. I am also considering going with a stainless steel stand only because It would suit my other brushed metal stands. Anyhow, here it is again. Any more thoughts or comments are appreciated. Cheers, Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cram Posted October 1, 2013 Report Share Posted October 1, 2013 I like ah99 idea of drop filters in each tank - would take up maybe 15cm real estate on one side or put themin the back corner. Flipside of taking up a bit of space in the tank is lower wattage pump as you are not pushing water 96" up and separation of system, allowing different filter media etc and you can still overflow all the tanks to common drain for water changes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozmo Posted October 2, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 2, 2013 (edited) I'd like to hear more about the 'drop filter' technique. Do you guys [MENTION=470]aquaholic99[/MENTION] and [MENTION=1666]cram[/MENTION] have any more info, details or examples of this? Cheers, Rob P.S. Initially I had considered setting up HM filters in each tank with an overflow on each tank into a common tank but this would still require pumping back up (to the best of my knowledge anyway). Edited October 2, 2013 by ozmo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozmo Posted October 2, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 2, 2013 I should also point out that the word 'restricted' in the title of this thread refers to the vertical space only. However, I do not want to go bigger on the tanks as the sizes I have decided on are plenty big enough for this project and I'd also like to move around comfortably between this system and the close by system (2 tier 6x2x2 X4). So the only real restriction is the ceiling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southfish Posted October 2, 2013 Report Share Posted October 2, 2013 cool pictures!!! Love it! Can you make one for me!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cram Posted October 3, 2013 Report Share Posted October 3, 2013 just did a quick www search: pic as an example FOR SALE: Custom tanks with internal drop filter in Aquarium Classifieds. FOR SALE. Forum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozmo Posted October 3, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 3, 2013 just did a quick www search:pic as an example FOR SALE: Custom tanks with internal drop filter in Aquarium Classifieds. FOR SALE. Forum Thanks Cram and correct me if I'm wrong but this is the same principle as HM filtration systems, which I was considering, but do not want separate heaters and pumps on each tank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cram Posted October 3, 2013 Report Share Posted October 3, 2013 Thanks Cram and correct me if I'm wrong but this is the same principle as HM filtration systems, which I was considering, but do not want separate heaters and pumps on each tank. you can use any media in the drop filter - just like a sump and you can use airlift (or multiple airlifts) as return but won't suit you if you dont want separate heaters/pumps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
