Setting up a used 450 gallon tank

[Egon]

I like to plumb the pump lines to the top of the tank. No check valves to fail. When I lose power or a pump fails there’s no siphon to drain my tank into my sump and then on my floor! I just have one pump at the moment but I’m ready for the next one. Everything is measured and cut.

 

[Egon]

Overflows next: I like to use my overflows as bio towers. I’m pumping the water up it might as well get filtered all the way down! The overflow (bio tower) is about 27” high. Most of that will be filled with bio balls.

 

[Egon]

First you need to keep the bio balls in the tower and not have them clog the drain. I use a simple PVC contraption that holds a light diffuser (egg crate) above the drain hole.

 

[Egon]

Next, very important, I like to add some kind of overflow by pass just in case there’s and issue with the overflow the water has a place to go and not overflow the tank. Happened to me once and it will never happen again! I use some 1.5” PCV from the bottom of the overflow to the top. I like to have the top of this pipe right at the bottom level of the overflow cutouts. I also cut the bottom of the pipe at an angle just to make sure the flow isn’t restricted if the pipe touches the bottom of the over flow. Then I glue it in place with a little M1 adhesive.

 

[Egon]

Then I fill the overflow with bio balls and put a little filter material on the top. Only do this if it’s easy to access. If it’s a pain to reach the top of your overflow then just use bio balls. This is also the stuff that will clog and overflow the tank if your not diligent. That’s why I put in the bypass pipe. If that filter clogs the water will go down the pipe and not down the side of your tank!

 

[Nilsafeller]

What's the plan for the 450? All the fish are currently in the 1100?

 

[Egon]

What's the plan for the 450? All the fish are currently in the 1100?

It will be a grow out. Bichirs, maybe a black Aro. An Oscar or two. Mostly bichirs though

 

[Egon]

Put some gravel in and some wood. Also a few fish. I really like the painted bottom. It keeps the white styrofoam from showing through. I do need a little more gravel though.

 

[Oskie Boy]

A few questions.

I am sure you thought about just painting the bottom outside of the acrylic instead of the inside? or possibly even just painting the top of the Styrofoam. Just curious why you chose the inside route you did for that?

I like the bio in the overflow idea, especially for those that have large overflows. You used mechanical filtration for yours but mentioned not using mechanical if it was hard to get to. Do you not think that mechanical is necessary before bio? Is that just because the Bio balls will not accumulate debris like other medias?

 

[Egon]

A few questions.

I am sure you thought about just painting the bottom outside of the acrylic instead of the inside? or possibly even just painting the top of the Styrofoam. Just curious why you chose the inside route you did for that?

Great question! So the tank was already on a stand and I moved it from one stand to another. That wasn’t easy, the new stand was about 6” higher than the old stand. The tank is very heavy for three old guys, my older cousin my younger brother and me. All in our 50’s. Somehow tipping the tank on the stand and painting the underside just wasn’t an option. I was super happy just to only lift it 6 inches and not break anything.
Basically painting the inside was the easiest option. Also, I already had the paint from my recent 1100 build. So easy and free is for me!