• I'm starting a 400-liter aquarium, I need advice.

  • Nicholas5194

Good evening. I decided to open my own topic and solve everything here as questions arise. As long as I can remember, I've had a freshwater aquarium and to be honest... it got boring... everything became so mundane... and then a question about a marine aquarium was raised on one of the forums (where I reside) and I delved into reading... and after this topic, I was completely blown away!!!! I decided to rebuild my aquarium, but after reading a little more, I realized that it's easier to buy a new one (300l) than to rebuild the cabinet and "squeeze" into 160 liters. Looking at the assortment on the internet, I found such an aquarium. The volume is not quite what I wanted, and the price tag is not small, but what attracts me is that according to the description, it has everything for launching the sea. Maybe there are owners of such an aquarium here? I would like

Crystal4879

I would make a custom aquarium; a cube is better for the sea. I'm sending my phone number in a private message.

Jeremy8404

Guys, thanks for the responses! Special thanks to Sergey for the brief tutorial over the phone; I already called your number, and they said they would call back. I found a topic on the forum regarding my question, it's just amazing! Now I want to make an aquarium 120x60x50 (LxWxH) and a metal frame for the stand. I think I'll do the overflow and return like in . The "Durso" standpipe - size 150x150x150 mm. I'm considering an emergency overflow; maybe I should make one just in case?

Nicole7122

It doesn't hurt; everything happens in life...

David3217

The situation is that the craftsmen refuse to make more than one hole in the back wall to avoid problems. They suggest making it from the side, but I don't want to ruin the interior, and the kids might... I understand my option is a shaft with three holes in the bottom of the aquarium. I've seen such a scheme somewhere, but I can't find it. What diameter should I make the holes and what are the dimensions of the shaft?

Jesse

Perhaps this is the solution you are looking for.

Adrienne

It! I really liked it like Sanek's. Yesterday, I went through a bunch of photos, almost everyone has overflow, Durso with three holes is a rarity. Am I stepping on a rake?

Bridget

With proper calculation of the sump, the need for emergency drainage is eliminated. The return pump simply won't push out enough water to overflow the aquarium when the Durso is clogged.

Charles4157

I'm such a calculator M.A. (marine aquarium) that I'm afraid I can't do without an emergency light.... And one more question, what can anyone say about a dry aerobic filter?

Kimberly

Golden words! Without proper calculations, even a hundred pipes won't be enough for the overflow...

Jeffrey

That's why I'm here, afraid I won't be able to handle it.

Mitchell7972

To be honest, I'm looking at your sample, maybe I'll make it a bit shorter. The emergency situation has become more or less clear, but what diameter should I make for the drain and supply?

Ricky9405

Inlet 1/2", outlet 3/4". There is a valve for adjustment on the outlet.

Jessica5016

Should the shaft be made like Sanya's or the classic one? And what are the optimal dimensions? Tys.

Patrick4439

Since no one is responding, I suspect this point is not crucial?

Karen

Not principled.

Adam4310

There are no optimal options; for example, my mine is the best for me, while Sanina's is cool for Sanya, and for Sergey, another one is cooler, and so it goes on. They don't respond because every day it's the same thing being chewed over, and you don't want to read; you keep waiting for someone to tell you some amazing secret that will make everything clear and quick for you. Unfortunately! No offense, but this year more than 15 threads have been created like "help me, tell me, advise me." Read them, and everything will be clear and understandable.

Zoe7451

I’ll tell you this: I’ve gone through almost all the topics on this forum over the past year, and some sections even for two years (I’m not delving into chemistry and wildlife just yet), but here’s the problem: despite the vast amount of information on the forum, I can count the completely identical ones on my fingers. That’s where my questions come from. At first, I thought I would just buy everything ready-made, then do everything like [name], but as you can see, I have different plans now. Another problem is that I have no one to talk to about the sea in person. And once again, thank you to all the guys who repeatedly go over the basics and prevent another newcomer from stepping on a rake.

Mariah

Everyone praises their own sea and equipment. It's always like this because it's their creation, you could say a child.

David3217

In general, I thought/read and decided to go for 120x60x60. The aquarium will be placed near the bed (2-3 m away), hence the Deltec Turbo Skimmer 1250. The lighting will be +MH. I'm looking at one (link), the price is 480 euros without bulbs... not cheap. Plus, I want a moonlight. Is there an alternative? I'm waiting for criticism and suggestions!

Sarah5423

Why is that? Kyiv, and there's no one around, there are sailors there like you wouldn't believe. It's great, it's grand. I approve of the size. But do you need it? Will it keep you from sleeping?

Aaron6112

I'm new here, so I don't know any sailors, otherwise I would gladly ask to join in a game of dice for "cleaning" the aquarium and testing the water... as a cabin boy. To be honest, the question of maintaining the aquarium, with or without a "stool," was overshadowed by beauty. I go to bed late (like now), the problem of a freshwater aquarist has been and still is the long day... I need some kind of lighting in the room/bedroom (24m2) in the evening/midnight... I was thinking of adapting the moon for this purpose.

Travis572

Call us, come by, we will always be happy to see you. If you need a mobile number, just message me privately.

Mitchell7972

Thank you for the invitation, I will definitely ask to visit you after the New Year! Happy New Year to everyone!

Alexandra

As moonlight, you can use this kind of thing in combination with a T5 lamp. The shipping costs 20 euros. It has adjustable brightness and fits on one of the bulbs inside the fixture. The light is sufficient for a 300-liter aquarium. Or there's this option, but here the light is more focused, not diffused, which allows you to illuminate specific areas of the bottom or decorations.

Joshua9847

it wouldn't hurt to have it in the presentation as well

Michelle

Damn, fat! Thank you! What should we do about the lights? Should we get them from you? Maybe there are other options (cheaper)? I found out about Live Rocks from the Black Sea. What do you think?

Brent7831

Call me back tomorrow or another day after 12:00 - I will suggest a possibly interesting option for you. The phone number is in the signature.

Ross

The option is really interesting; I am seriously considering it!

Michelle9986

I looked at this light, but unfortunately it won't work, as we have a design and my wife doesn't allow "turning the apartment into a garage." My options are most likely something Chinese or A. Yesterday I went to order an aquarium with a stand at Krest, and he offered a complete analog of light A, priced at $480 (while A is 480 euros).

Alicia5489

I can offer you the ATI lamp for 399 euros, come visit us, and we will give you a discount. Plus, you can see how we are...

Alexander

Thank you, but I think I'll take the MG 2x150 +4 T5 at 54w.

William5838

Is it necessary to have MG? ...that's why I'm inviting you over... after you come to us, you will change your mind.

Whitney

I won't refuse the invitation. I thought all MH lamps come with such glass. This is what bothers me the most... MH installed and enjoy for two years...

Helen

Should I make the sample the full length of the pedestal or about 30 centimeters shorter?

Mark7376

Where will the sockets and other electrical parts be placed?

Kimberly2102

Everything will be in the cabinet. Maybe put a shelf above the sink? I also plan to install a server; I found an interesting article about Sber Calculation and Manufacturing.

Gregory9432

I'm asking because I really like the lamp, but it's a meter long, almost the entire length of my dresser.

Todd

The cabinet measures 120x60x90H, with a metal frame made of 40mm pipes. I'm thinking about lining the inside of the cabinet with foam and chipboard or not bothering? I'm concerned that it takes up a lot of space. P.S. I still don't understand how much space to leave for "dry" equipment in the cabinet?

Debra

Advise what is better and how.

Chad4168

Will foam rubber not work?

Tammy2040

The question was rhetorical? Of course, this is the best option: foamed self-adhesive rubber. And mineral wool is yet another ridiculous piece of advice from

Colin1418

Guys, today we can't argue!!! Is 3 mm enough or should it be thicker? I've seen many people cover their stands with something shiny, like vibration insulation... won't that work? What's the secret with the dry stand??? How much space should be left for it?? At least give me a link!!! On the same site BioReef, there is an article on Calculating and Planning Power Supply.

Patricia

I'm sitting here trying to figure out the return pump. Will the Hydor Seltz L 40 be enough, or do I need something more powerful? The lift height is about 1.5-1.6m.

Jade

I have exactly the same Hydor Seltz L 40, a good balance, you could say it's a good pump for the price and quality. It stands in the sump at a height of 1 meter plus a 60 cm aquarium, with an inclined pipe, resulting in a water column of 1 meter 68 cm. Everything is excellent, and it doesn't make noise while working.

Nicholas2252

The jar has finally arrived! Dimensions are 120x60x60 cm, glass 10 mm. The cabinet is 90 cm high, and the central post is removable.

Catherine

I think it's time to start a new topic from this point. A good aquarium. Congratulations on the beginning!

Christine864

The process has started! Congratulations! What about the ventilation inside the cabinet? Huh?

Christopher7213

In this section? There will be ventilation, I think I will squeeze a fan in there. I still don't understand what you think about live stones and live sand of the Black Sea, here is more about B.S. (Black Sea), L.S. (live stones) in detail.

Anthony

Two fans need to be installed in such a cabinet: one for intake and one for exhaust.

Travis572

In the first option, the drain goes into two compartments - the frag tank and the skimmer. If there is space in the cabinet (if there won't be a separate partition for outlets) - the first option is the most interesting, as it can be used in the future for any purposes.

Alyssa6727

I probably wrote incorrectly about the first option; I think it should be done without a frag tank. A large plant tank (40x45 cm) with sand and stones, and then a refugium and return. But I don't know about the fact that all the debris will accumulate in the plant tank, and it will be harder to clean than in the refugium when it is the first one set up. Can someone confirm or refute this information? I probably won't install a partition in the cabinet since there is only 10 cm left for the electrical wiring.

Sharon

Electricity has no place in the cabinet!

John3432

Where should I take it out?

Nicole7268

In a separate block outside. As an option, a flat block suspended on the side of the cabinet. Or like this:

David953

Damn, cool! I can't have that, I have two little ones... Good topic Alternative Bio-Riff System 440 l. Back to the Future

Wendy

Offtopic The opposite - chaotic activation of pumps is guaranteed All cool wave makers are resting

Bryan1851

Make a door with a key. In general, you just need to look for options OUTSIDE the cabinet.

Michelle5859

As an option: Buy an electrical panel. It has DIN rails. There are switches and sockets for them, and it has a door with a key. It is designed to be installed inside the wall, but you can make a frame out of particle board. Then you can either mount it on the wall or on the side of a cabinet. If it's on the side of the cabinet, you can drill a hole through the side of the cabinet inside the drawer, like in computer desks, insert a grommet, and pass the wires through it. With the grommet turned, there won't be any moisture inside. Everything can be purchased at the market or in any electrical goods store.

Joseph9057

I'm not an expert, but it seems to me that with such a scheme, there will be a weak, superficial substitution in the herbarium and the fragarium, and water stagnation is possible.

Catherine

I have fluctuations of 2 cm difference. The depth of the grass layer is 30 cm.

Wesley

What if we install a separate pump for the frag tank with a capacity of 150 liters per hour? I tried to visualize the result and swapped the return with the skimmer. I reduced the depth in the frag tank to 30 cm. The only thing that concerns me now is the increased flow through the refugium. How critical is this?

Lauren

For me, this is better, and the second one is an even better option.

Jacob4800

I was thinking of making one compartment disconnectable from the system, or is there not much point in that? The article about macrophytes is great. Macrophytes of the Black Sea for a reef aquarium.

Brandi

In a marine aquarium, the corresponding devices should never be turned off......D. Stepanov. "Marine Aquarium at Home".

Erin2730

Why complicate things??? Running back and forth, a bunch of valves, pumps, etc.? Isn't it easier to just make 4-5 stages?

Brandon9634

Thanks to the hints, I decided to do it that way. I will do what I posted with the edits in top 69.

Danielle9144

That's right, and no hassle, and the "step" is normal, it won't be noisy, at least with a 1 cm step it definitely won't be noisy, I think it will be fine with two as well.

Zoe7451

I will take the minimum step, but it's unclear what the level will be in the last compartment (return). I will look for your sample now; I read that it is also non-standard.

Catherine6534

I have a standard 4-chamber setup with a 1 cm step. 1) Drain + skimmer, the skimmer's power is enough to overflow the water (it doesn't flow by gravity, meaning all the water goes through the skimmer as I wanted), the second chamber is for algae, then a refugium, and a return for anything else. How much more standard can it get? It just turns out to be long (1.2 m) and wide, about 50 cm, and the height is around 45 cm.

Ashley5975

Well, the standard is three compartments, not everyone has a frag grenade in Samp.

Amber

I scrolled through the entire thread, but I couldn't find a photo of the sample. Could you provide a link to it or post the photo here?

Jacqueline5976

Yes, I think I only took pictures of the empty one... maybe it's not in the topic... when I get home, I'll take a photo myself and post it here or in the topic...

Bridget

Sorry for the delay, a lot of work... here is the photo of the sample.

Karen81

The algae filter should have a depth of no more than 20 cm and very powerful lighting. D. Stepanov "MA Doma" (p. 33) - therefore, if space allows, it is better to make the algae filter larger in area and shallower.

Brooke

I agree, it's not wide but deep... at the bottom, the algae were withering, and I threw J.K. (live rocks) and S.R.K. (dry reef rocks) on the bottom... kind of reduced the depth...

Michelle104

I also did it. Stepanov has a magical phrase that I kept missing. "Water plants actively consume nitrogen... by promoting their abundant growth, we facilitate the removal of nitrates... By periodically removing algae from the aquarium... we reduce the amount of nitrogen" (p. 33). And I, the fool, on the contrary, was breeding them until they were completely compacted.

Sheila1322

You are confused and mixing things up. The desirable algae in a saltwater aquarium are chaetomorpha and caulerpa, which help remove nitrates and phosphates, but not nitrogen. How can you reduce the levels of nitrates and phosphates by removing them?

Jessica

You just need to read D. Stepanov and how he explains it - the "book" is called "Marine Aquarium at Home," page 33, the first paragraph at the top - should I provide a link to download it?

Thomas1044

Thank you so much, the samp is just great! I'm noticing a difference of about 10 centimeters in the last compartment, is the water not making much noise?

Marie5735

Thank you) but it's just like it is. No, the drop is about 5 cm and it doesn't make any noise at all. The problem is that I have an Eheim 1260, and it has about 2.5 meters of flexible hose + the UV is connected... It's just a bit short for such a volume... + I slightly tightened the drain valve so that ALL the water goes through the foam filter (it transfers water from the first to the second compartment). The drain is gravity-fed, and there's not much I can do about it because of the aquarium's design... But the water flow rate should be increased...

Martin3206

How does the light work? Is it separate for the frag tank and the herb tank, or is there one lamp for everything that runs all day/night? And what kind of lamp/LEDs are used?

Tanya

There is practically no light there right now... Only one T8 lamp at 36 watts is hanging and works the same as the light in the aquarium. In September, a 72-watt fixture will move there (from the farm, which I will dismantle, and I will have a new project), it will illuminate both the frag tank and the algae tank in two cycles. That is, I will be creating for two days in one 24-hour period. Two light days of 6-8 hours each. This method is used in coral farms, kind of tricking the corals to grow about twice as fast.

John3142

Cool, I haven't read about that! I hope by the time I gather my jar, I'll be able to get your feedback on this technology.

Steven7574

I hope to manage it in September; I don't know how quickly the effect will be. And I might start a new little project in September.

Vincent

Come on, I'm very curious about what new ideas you have in mind.

Stacey4437

I have a question. I'm planning to buy a skimmer for my tank, but with an adjustment for +100 liters, which means a 400L aquarium + 160L sump + 90L refugium. I was thinking of getting the Deltec Turbo Skimmer 1250, but I've heard that even the Deltec Turbo Skimmer 1060 might be insufficient. What do you recommend? The main criteria are width and quiet operation. The 1060 is already about the maximum width!

Caroline1599

take a penny with a big reserve...check the AП or AПФ delteks...there's something like that in ХС...Red Dragon...and silence is a relative concept...the more powerful the penny, the louder it is—there's no escaping that...

Wendy

They say that DeltaCams provide accurate data on volume? They are all wide.

Lee

Well, then it's easier to re-glue the sample than to look for a pen that fits the right size and is questionable for your system...

Christina9947

Sanya, it's not working! Then we need to throw away the refill. I tried to capture it in the photo.

Ronald

Then make a knight move (almost the same as mine): place the skimmer as the first stage, and put the filter in place of the skimmer... So the filter will get cleaner water. Or just remove one partition between the skimmer and the return, that's a couple more centimeters... Well, if you put the skimmer instead of the filter, and if you choose the skimmer well, then all the water will pass through the skimmer, which is also quite good.

Amber9312

Judging by the drawing, the drain will be right in the frag tank? With such a drop, nothing will grow, definitely softness.

Kathryn514

The skimmer is usually installed in the compartment where the aquarium drain is, and that's correct. The advice given in post 98 is correct. But who said? It will handle it, and there will be a reserve...

Debra

I really didn't want to, but I see that I have to. Sellers... Is the Deltec Turbo Skimmer 1250 too small?

David7773

This will be insufficient. Its maximum is 300 - 350 liters (SPS aquarium).

Sarah7284

The skimmer is calculated (that's how I've always thought): the volume of the aquarium (total) x 2 = what size skimmer is needed. The volume is 650 liters, so a skimmer for about 1300 liters is required. The logic here is simple: if the aquarium is overstocked, a skimmer rated for 650 liters won't be sufficient... Plus, an important point: the pumps from China are advertised, for example, as 2500 liters per hour, but in reality, they push around 1000-1500 l/h. German and American pumps: if they say 2500 l/h, they actually deliver 2000-3000 l/h. I checked this with Tunze, Eheim, and some Chinese pump that was given as a gift... This is also very evident in the streams...

Andrea8397

There is a company called Sera... and on the other hand, there's Boyu... So is it German or Chinese? It's all relative... There is good Chinese equipment and complete... from Germany. Take the GroTech skimmer, it costs 500 euros and doesn't work at all... not at all...

Debra8438

There are different kinds of China... China for Europe is a completely different China than for the CIS. That's all... I haven't encountered GroTek at all... But I was told the same about XC, that the design is very simple and nothing will work... Yet it works, damn it, so well that the owners of fancy, upgraded mega-turbo-winged net pens would be envious.

Joseph

So why not buy Chinese products in China, especially since the postal service works and it's not a problem to purchase from the Celestial Empire online.

Nicole

Well, who is against it? Just when buying from China, I personally wouldn't be completely sure which specific China I'm buying from.

Anthony7814

Well, it can still be arranged in advance. If it doesn't fit, with such gaps, it goes away easily. I plan to shop at Bughrom, or China, or Fish Street and similar places.

Jasmine

You won't be able to negotiate properly with the Chinese. And here, the stuff doesn't really sell that well either. Yes, it might be a bit cheaper abroad... But keep in mind the transportation (that's the strangest thing you can think of). As for Fish Street, I just came from there 2 minutes ago... But you need to find out about delivery and customs clearance.

Vanessa

I can't say about Fishstreet, but I bought around $1500 worth of stuff through eBay. Everything arrives, and what didn't arrive, they refunded the money. Although I rented a PO box for receiving.

Karen2578

What is this?

Monica

apparently the subscriber's mailbox

Erica752

, subscription box. Moreover, there is no point in taking a large cell if it doesn't fit - it stays in the delivery service. , "you knew..." ;-)

Paul

Hmm... strange things.

Natasha

Nothing strange, I've been using it since February. It's inexpensive. I received both regular letters and packages, as well as registered mail and parcels. Everything is clear.