Hi,
I started this project about a month ago to design and build a complete setup for my stingrays, the volume is going to be 480 G , dimension are 108L x 42W x 25.5H.
Stand: Is build using steel pipes, i could not get the load and stress figures for them so i have overused the pipes giving a lot of extra strength needed, then the entire frame is coated with red oxide paint to prevent rusting and painted in black, Finally it was enclosed in wood work to get the aesthetic look, pic attached. the wood used mostly is pressed sheets with double sided lamination to prevent water from destroying the wooden structure.
Tank: The tank is made using 12mm glass, i have used normal float glass on the back and sides as well as bottom , while the front pane is lead free extra clear glass for better viewing, there are 2 holes drilled in the bottom glass for durso standpipes on each side, I have used both Euro and top bracing for extra strength. the 12 mm glass provide an SF of 3.5 for 24 inches of water hence the height is kept at 25.5 in order to finally achieve 24 inches of viewing. i have made 2 over flow boxes from acrylic and made 2 durso stand pipes using 1.5 inch U-PVC, it working pretty well with very little noise, there is some though which i will kill in a few days. Pics attached.
Canopy: it will again be made from wood and is work in progress so there are no pictures as yet.
3D Background: i am going for a Styrofoam back ground and its also under construction, so no pictures yet.
Sump: again a glass tank with a capacity of 110G approx, 72 x 24 x 16H with 4 compartments the first one is for filter socks, second for bio balls, third is for refugium and finally the returm pumps, i am planning to use a combination of Ehiem , Matrix , ceremic rings and pot scrubbies for bio filtration. will put is some pothos in the refugium as well as the UV filter will go in here since i need some water movement in this area, the return pumps are 2 Lifetech 5600 pumps rated at 5500L/h (1450G/h) at 0 head while i am expecting about 4200L/h (1110G/h) at 6 feet, The sump has a drip system which i will calibrate to about 50 Gallon per day water change. Pic attached.
Here are some areas where i am looking for some advice though
1. The 2 returns from the sump were placed half an inch below the water surface and created a lot of water movement, but they sucked in air from the surface creating a whirlpool effect and a lot of noise , this is changes them to two long pipes with small holes drilled in them, now the water movement is spread accross the tank, but i am afraid it might not be enough to carry the debris on the bottom (white sand) to the overflow boxes and the tank will look messy, any suggestions how i can improve this? I was thinking of getting another overflow box placed in front of the existing at 1 inch distance but open from the bottom thus creating a bottom current, has anyone done this before ? does this work?
2. Will the 2220g/h be enough circulation?
3. any other suggestions to improve/incorporate while i am at it?
I started this project about a month ago to design and build a complete setup for my stingrays, the volume is going to be 480 G , dimension are 108L x 42W x 25.5H.
Stand: Is build using steel pipes, i could not get the load and stress figures for them so i have overused the pipes giving a lot of extra strength needed, then the entire frame is coated with red oxide paint to prevent rusting and painted in black, Finally it was enclosed in wood work to get the aesthetic look, pic attached. the wood used mostly is pressed sheets with double sided lamination to prevent water from destroying the wooden structure.
Tank: The tank is made using 12mm glass, i have used normal float glass on the back and sides as well as bottom , while the front pane is lead free extra clear glass for better viewing, there are 2 holes drilled in the bottom glass for durso standpipes on each side, I have used both Euro and top bracing for extra strength. the 12 mm glass provide an SF of 3.5 for 24 inches of water hence the height is kept at 25.5 in order to finally achieve 24 inches of viewing. i have made 2 over flow boxes from acrylic and made 2 durso stand pipes using 1.5 inch U-PVC, it working pretty well with very little noise, there is some though which i will kill in a few days. Pics attached.
Canopy: it will again be made from wood and is work in progress so there are no pictures as yet.
3D Background: i am going for a Styrofoam back ground and its also under construction, so no pictures yet.
Sump: again a glass tank with a capacity of 110G approx, 72 x 24 x 16H with 4 compartments the first one is for filter socks, second for bio balls, third is for refugium and finally the returm pumps, i am planning to use a combination of Ehiem , Matrix , ceremic rings and pot scrubbies for bio filtration. will put is some pothos in the refugium as well as the UV filter will go in here since i need some water movement in this area, the return pumps are 2 Lifetech 5600 pumps rated at 5500L/h (1450G/h) at 0 head while i am expecting about 4200L/h (1110G/h) at 6 feet, The sump has a drip system which i will calibrate to about 50 Gallon per day water change. Pic attached.
Here are some areas where i am looking for some advice though
1. The 2 returns from the sump were placed half an inch below the water surface and created a lot of water movement, but they sucked in air from the surface creating a whirlpool effect and a lot of noise , this is changes them to two long pipes with small holes drilled in them, now the water movement is spread accross the tank, but i am afraid it might not be enough to carry the debris on the bottom (white sand) to the overflow boxes and the tank will look messy, any suggestions how i can improve this? I was thinking of getting another overflow box placed in front of the existing at 1 inch distance but open from the bottom thus creating a bottom current, has anyone done this before ? does this work?
2. Will the 2220g/h be enough circulation?
3. any other suggestions to improve/incorporate while i am at it?
