300 gallon tank - the project begins!

[LowCel]

I had reduced the flow going to the ugj system by using ball valves (as recomended by reeflo). This quieted the pump significantly, it also used less wattage and created far less microbubbles in my water. Unfortunately the added back pressure caused the seal to fail on the pump resulting in water in my stand, on my hardwood floor, and it managed to go under a false wall and soak my carpet and carpet pad in my pool room. It is now a different type of "pool room". A water proof stand like yours certainly would have come in handy.

The good news is that reeflo is more than taking care of me. They offered me two different options, one is a new seal and a BF2500 impeller that would reduce the flow and watts. The other option is a refund. I am going to go with the second option and take the refund. I can't risk having another problem like this when I am out of town or just not home for a few hours.

 

[NOLAGT]

OUCH!

You should be able to reduce the flow of those like that...just had a week seal I guess. That is exactly why I built my stand like I did. I have seen many leaks like that so it was a big part of my setup...I can probably hold 30gal of water in my stand. Another reason I went with internal pumps for the return.

If you want to play with ideas....one thing I may or may not do one day is redo my return plumbing. You can do what I have seen called a closed loop manifold. Basically you have your return PVC come up from the bulkhead in your overflow to the top of the tank...and you make a rectangle around the top of the tank and connect it making it a closed loop. Like a T with 4 elbows....follow? Then you place T's where ever you want to put a loc line nozzle. Since its a connected rectangle every locline nozzle will have the same pressure. If it wasnt connected the flow would drop off as you got to the end. With this setup you can have several nozzles to blow in specific spots in the tank to stop junk from settling on the sand. Almost like a reverse UGJ system...and you use your return pump not another pump. Only drawback is it cuts the flow of the pump down more so you need a strong one to pull it off.

 

[LowCel]

I had thought about doing that with my return but instead chose to go with the two long spray bars at each end of the tank. Those being hooked up to the dart really does create enough flow for the tank. Even with the ugj system turned off yesterday I noticed no food settling on the substrate at feeding time. I'm sure there will be a little settling here and there but I don't believe it will be a concern. I should be able to get by with sweeping the sand about once every couple of months. That won't be too bad.

Another plus is that I will be able to remove 100 pounds or so of sand. I'm planning on putting it in my 55 gallon. This will be much better than buying new sand since it will already have beneficial bacteria in it so I shouldn't have to worry about much of a mini-cycle when I change from gravel.

 

[NOLAGT]

Yeah Def take out some of that sand...that was another reason I didnt want a UGJ. Gain some tank room back for your jumbo's!

 

[LowCel]

I can't really do anything until the red devil and amarillo quit guarding their fry. I don't really want to disrupt the tank anymore than I have to. To remove the ugj system I am going to have to move all of the rocks and driftwood. It wouldn't be too bad of a job if my leg wasn't so screwed up. For the time being it is just going to have to stay the way it is.

 

[NOLAGT]

Yeah I hear that...rest that leg!! Its not hurting anything having all that stuff still in there.

 

[LowCel]

I returned to work today, not sure if I will make it the whole day or not. I have an appointment at 3:45 so at least I only have to work 8 1/2 hours. I have approval for another two weeks off, I just don't want to be any more behind than I have to be.

 

[arowfan]

DAM!!!! thats crazy, very impressive and best of luck with that awesome setup man!

 

[tcarswell]

Sorry to hear about the UGJ id sell you one of my FX5's if I did not need them in the near future they are still collecting dust lol. I think all in all your filtration should easily handle what you have...I doubt you will need an FX5's help

 

[LowCel]

Sorry to hear about the UGJ id sell you one of my FX5's if I did not need them in the near future they are still collecting dust lol. I think all in all your filtration should easily handle what you have...I doubt you will need an FX5's help

You are probably right. I'll give the tank a few months and then decide if I need anything else. I did order a two little fishes reactor and some Pura Phos-Lock media though. I'm going to put them in line after the monster reactor.