Future Set Up.

[babybell911]

Ok my ideal tank would be 6ft by 2ft by 2.5ft probably and one day when I get it (which I will)! It will be tropical with community and shoaling fish and lots of live plants. I would like to know a few things.

Firstly I would like an external filter or sump for it so there is no room taken up by and internal. What is the best kind and size I would need and what is better the sump or external filter (if there's any difference).

What kind of lighting would I need? WPG and best type of light?

How many heaters would it need and I've heard you can heat the water through the sump so you dont need a heater in the tank is this true?

Think thats it all help and advice appreciated!

Clare

 

[jayjay]

You maybe able to use a couple of externals if they are good one's or a sump which would be better.

You plan to fully plant the tank? It all depends on what plants to how many wpg the tank needs, different plants need different amounts. A tank of 180g is going to need serious lighting for planted setup, MH maybe.

Yes you can heater the water in a sump by putting the heater the sump. Also so externals have heaters in them to do this.

 

[babybell911]

Cool thanks you can make your own sump cant you? So how big would it have to be?
I'd like easy to grow plants nothing to fancy

 

[jayjay]

You can make you own sump yes, i'm not the best person to ask on size but probably about 40"

I'm not sure about kind of lights you'd need on that tank then sorry.

 

[saboy]

I have read that sumps are not good if you want a planted setup, as te flow from down the wiers, the water is crashing around, and Co2 is then lost. So cannisters would be good,


a cheap option for a cannister is a fluval fx5 , or the fancy more expensive, a eheim pro 3 2080, thats what I want for my 180 gal


I think t5s will be fine if the tank does not get any taller than 24 inches, after this , MH is your best bet proly to get the light penitration

 

[jayjay]

saboy as she said she didn't want hard to keep plants she wanted easy plants so CO2 isn't a big worry but your points are correct if she was injecting CO2.

 

[Ginge]

I doubt youd want to got high tech planted on a 6' as it could cost thousands. I guess your going for a few hardy plants? If so then go for like 4 or 5 or maybee even 6 55W bulbs to give you atleast 1wpg.

 

[saboy]

saboy as she said she didn't want hard to keep plants she wanted easy plants so CO2 isn't a big worry but your points are correct if she was injecting CO2.

Yea, after I posted i read that !


I think a sump maybe more expensive than 1 fluval fx5.

 

[babybell911]

Thanks guys keep the ideas coming. I'm not really in the know about the co2 so dont fancy messing around with a system for that just going to keep the hardy types. Surely if i make my own the sump would work out cheaper? 40" is a big sump! Thanks

 

[saboy]

as the its the costs for the wier, the standpipes, and tanks cost more if they comes already drilled, and fitted with wiers

BTW, im thinking of a new setup, brand new

 

[babybell911]

ok thanks probably easier to get the ehiem then expensive but quality will this have a heater in it or will i have to put that in the tank?

 

[Ginge]

You could do either dont forget for a sump you can just get a tank in horible condition aslong as it is water tight. I am sure you can drill them your self. Id go for a sump personally this is a big tank. 220g.

BTW Hope CFC doesnt see this 220g for community fish. I can hear it now.

 

[saboy]

No, the eheim doesnt have a heater in it, I think eheim are making a version with a heater, but dont know for sure, but anyways yes they would ahve to go in the tank

I would reccomend 2 heaters, as one can be safety if one fails,


I think about 500 watts would be enough in a 180 gallon, cause this is what im gonna use

 

[Ginge]

Its 220G and some ehiems do have heaters.

 

[saboy]

Oh, well then 600 watts should do it , so 2 300 watt heaters,


makes sure they are good quality ones,

Im gonna get eheim jagar ones