My 240gal square tank journal: Planted!

[Naja002]

Bingo, you got it. With the standpipe there's only going to be 1-2" of water v. 20" with a strainer--so with the standpipe it will be much easier for the system to start sucking air--which you definitely don't want, plus it makes all the racket.

One problem with the closed loop and built in overflow is that you will need to watch your water level. Evaporation is going to show in the overflow. Too much and the system will start sucking air. Shouldn't be a big problem on a tank that size, but its good to know in advance!

HTH

[aquaman3000]

Anyone using the Pentair modules? Whats your setup and what pump are you using?

I am using a Pentair module, although my aquarium is considerably smaller at 110 gallons. I use a Poseidon PS2 pump. There seems to be considerable head loss through the unit, so plan accordingly. There is a link to my setup in my signature with entensive photos.

I would recommend using a sump, but if you are going to do a true closed loop, make sure you have a full proof way to preload the pump intake, otherwise you are going to severely shorten the pump life at the very least. As Naja002 mentioned, if you are going to use the overflows to preload the pump, evaporation will be a large concern. In my much smaller system, I can see multiple gallons of water evaporation per day. If that water volume is coming out of your overflow only, I expect you will have to be adding water regularly, or have something automated to do so.

Very nice aquarium btw!

[jinx©]

Glad to see you decided on the cube

I'm not sure how far you are from 7 Caves (Bainbridge area if I remember right) but I went there a few times and there is some local stone that is fabulous looking. (I grew up in the Cincinnati area)

[bgoodwins]

Something you need to be cognizant of when you're buying a pump is energy consumption. The wrong pump can cost you $40-50 a MONTH more than a better sized pump (smaller) that is more efficient. The pump should be the last thing you purchase after calculating head loss from gravity and head loss from all your filtration components and friction loss form the piping.

[tropicalfish]

Another question about your floors...
Is this on the ground floor? If it is, I don't see how there is a need to reinforce the floors...
Because my house is directly on the foundation... I don't see how that can be reinforced.

[crazy loaches]

Doesnt sound like he is on a concrete slab, maybe you missed his earlier reply:

Originally Posted by gsd78

Tropicalfish: To reinforce the floors I was planning to double up all the floor joists and then install 2x10's running perpendicular to the existing joists. Then I'll use four metal posts running from the 2x10's to the floor at each corner.

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Originally Posted by bgoodwins

Something you need to be cognizant of when you're buying a pump is energy consumption. The wrong pump can cost you $40-50 a MONTH more than a better sized pump (smaller) that is more efficient. The pump should be the last thing you purchase after calculating head loss from gravity and head loss from all your filtration components and friction loss form the piping.

This is true, well I havent calculated out how much extra the cost will be... On my 240 I've already been through several pumps. Started cheap and kept upgrading. The other thing to be aware of is noise. Usually the truly quiet ones will cost ya a bit more.

And about the plumbing... I've seen closed loop systems often with the reefers, but they also run sumps. The closed loops I've seen never have used an overflow so thats new to me, they run a sump with their overflow and the closed loop is separate. Not saying you can't do it, but as already said your going to have trouble maintaining water level in your overflow unless your running a continuous top off I'd wager.

[gsd78]

Originally Posted by tropicalfish

Another question about your floors...
Is this on the ground floor?.

No, the tank isn't going to be on the ground floor. The tank will be on the 1st floor with a basement underneath.

Regarding the filtration...I am already considering going with the sump and possibly running some of the modules inline with it. I have extra 55gal and 75gal glass aquariums, as well as a Rubbermaid 100gal stock tank sitting in the basement. I could make any of those into a sump.

Off to do some more research and planning...

[tropicalfish]

Make sure to lock the cabinet doors so any little kids don't play hide and go seek underneath!!

[Naja002]

Just wanted to clarify the evaporation/overflow:

If the overflow teeth are say 2" and you maintain the water level at 1/2" below the top of the overflow--then nothing is really going to change, except the water level in the aquarium itself. But once the water level reaches the bottom of the teeth--then--the evaporation will begin to show in the overflow.

As long as the system is drawing water out--its going to pump it back in. So, the tank water level will be maintained at the bottom of the teeth minimum. Then the evaporation will begin actually reducing the level in the overflow until the system starts sucking air.

I like sumps. I find them much more versatile as I add and subtract from the system.

[gsd78]

Decided to play around with the manzanita I had soaking and see if I could put together a decent hardscape. I still have the protective paper on the tank so I had to shoot the photos looking down on it. Far from perfect, but still pretty cool to start to see the tanks potential.

Two different angles of the same scape:

[tropicalfish]

Looks great! Are you going to make the whole back black or just have the overflow black?

[gsd78]

Yes, the entire back panel will be black. Not sure yet if I'm going to paint it or just use black contact paper or something like that.

Also, I'm hoping to get started on the stand this weekend. I'll be working on the plans for it over the next few days.

[garuf]

I looked at this and my main thought was "more wood!" It really needs it in my opinion, think Amano's big tank with the wood out the top to see what I mean, seems a shame to waste the open top potential.

[crazy loaches]

^Thats true... have you thought about the top... will you do the open top look? I often wish I could have but I dont think my 240 would look as good open top, with the big black trim and many thick center braces. So I guess I'm building a huge canopy. But with yours it might look awesome open, with some wood poking up through the top, with those MH pendants suspended above.

[gsd78]

The tank is definitely going to be open top with the suspended MH pendants. I do like the look of the wood sticking out of the tank, just not sure I have the right pieces for the look. Alot of my manzanita is smaller and branchy. I'll keep playing with it though and see what I can come up with.

Thanks for the comments.