6 75gal tanks!! Ideas pls!!!!

[steve0199us]

Hey All,

So I've been thinking about setting up 6 75gal tanks on one wall in my basement, 13long and 7.3 high. I've been thinking over and over about the layout of the setup. I know the tanks will be stacked on top of each other. I want to keep African Cichlids. Before I start drilling into tanks....
What do you guys think? Would a central system be worth it in this case? Or running individual filters in the tanks? If so, which filter? Going either way would also determine how many heaters I have to get.. I'm thinking of using sponge filters with way I go....

I also want to keep this project economically efficient on the electric bill... Another factor I thought of in a central system, if one fish gets sick then it'll spread to other tanks... Well, before I start typing away... What do you guys think? What would the ideal way to go about this project? I want to try and make this right the first time!

All ideas are welcomed...!!!

Thks,
Steve

[cwnaturescapes]

I would go with a central unit filter , but that is up to you ,the only problem with central units is that they may spread disease and any other problems from tank to tank and if your pump dies it will affect all tanks hooked up to that unit.On the other note it is much easier to clean one filter than 6 or 8 and with a hose hookup near by make water changes fast and easy,,but you will have to weigh the pros and cons that best fit your setup

[CJC]

I use 1 central system for most of my tanks. The work load is much easier, water changes, filter cleaning, etc. Keep a seperate quarentee tank for new fish and as long as you watch and take care of your fish, you shouldn't have any problems something running rampant killing all your fish. 1 heater takes care of all your tanks, 1 less eye sore in bthe tank. I've never had a problem and keep an extra pump on hand just in case.

[Bev N]

If your going to have a seperate quarintine tank away from this system one central system could work. If not there is no way I personally would have one.

To put sponge filters in those 6 tanks and run them off of one pump would not be expensive. We got one of those pumps from Jehmco that is supposed to run 80-100 outlets. We have double that in outlets and it's handeling the load. Now there is the new filter material from Hans & Swiss tropicals that you only have to clean once a year. I think $100 of foam will do all 6 of your tanks. You need some pvc pipe and airline tubing. I cannot imagine an air pump would be all that expensive.

A lot depends on what you want to do. If your planning on breeding and having fry in those tanks the sponges are, in my opinion, the best. There are all kinds of little munchies on those for young fry.

[YoungAquaticPhotos]

I don't believe in Central system either. Once you have something wrong in one tank it quickly spreads to the next!

[steve0199us]

thanks guys.. I've been thinking.. I might just go with the individual set ups.. Although it would be easier to clean everything in one go.. I would hate to med all the water at the same time... I think I'll go with a HOB, sponge filter/bubble, and a heater in each.. How does that sound?


I guess it'll also save me the hassle of drilling all the tanks and deal with the pvc plumbing....

[AMBUSHPREDATOR]

I would centralize the waterchanging, meaning that all the tanks have plumbing in from a vat and an outlet out to waste. All the inlet water is new fresh water . And there is no mixing of tankwater . Sponge filters would be fine. The only drawback is heater's so if you could just heat the area instead of heating each tank and vat you'd save a buck .

[DJRansome]

I got all excited when I saw the subject of the post and my mind took off with what I would stock if I had 6 75G tanks available!

[nick a]

steve0199us,

Sometimes, what you're planning on stocking the tanks with drives how you set the tanks up. If you're CERTAIN that ALL tanks will ALWAYS be set up for similar fish (with identical water parameter requirements.....) then a central system is workable. Individual filtration give much more flexibility but is more maint. time. I'd definitely try, as AP mentioned, to figure out a way to heat the room & not the tanks. You know you're gonna end up with more tanks in there eventually, so it'll be worthwhile:)

DJRansome, That is when I knew I was totally gone to 'The Wet Side' :)--when I started getting truely excited about someone else's empty tank!

[steve0199us]

I did some serious thinking about the project this w/e... Weighted the pros and cons and decided to go with individual set ups.

My initial idea for the central system was to save on electricity and hassle during the water change process..
But after looking into some pumps to operate a minimum of 1350gph which is only 3times turnover would be 120+watts, maybe more..
Then running 1000watts to heat the water. In addition, I still have to vacuum the poo in all the tanks...
Also, drilling into the tanks and running the plumbing would be a lot of work.
Then my risk sort of did not outweigh my benefits since I will not have a quarantine tank on hand.

So I decided for filtration I would go with AC500s in all the tanks with one of the sponge filters from Jehmco in each tank, W/ 250-300watt heaters...
I could also use the air pump for my other tanks so I can consolidate all the air pumps into one.
The AC500 is 18watts to run, so that'll pretty much equal to one of the pumps I would've required for the sump.

In addition, if I ever decided I wanted to house fish with different water conditions, I could do that.
I will look into a heater to keep my basement warmer, although the boiler is down there, so the room temp is about 70ish....

So what do you guys think of this in the 75gal tanks?!
1 AC500 is each tank
One big pump w/ sponge filters in each tank (Which pump should I get from Jehmco??)
and 250-300watt heaters in each.
With maybe a space warmer down there....

[steve0199us]

or alternatively, what do you guys think about running 2-3 sponge filters in each tank instead of the AC500?!?!

[nick a]

You could do that & everything would be fine. The only thing I note in my sponge-only tanks is that I've got to get in and vacuum much more often than in the ones with sponge/HOB or can combos.

They may be a little too much for the 6 tanks, but I absolutely love Jehmcos linear piston pumps. I've got the lph-80. Virtually silent and uses about the same amount of electricity as a 75 watt light bulb! BUT--they're an investment!

Unless you're doing some hyper-temperature sensitive fish, an ambient of 70ish with a small space heater might be enough without having the in tank heaters.

[steve0199us]

I was thinking, either filter I select would require a good syphon in the substrate. When I clean my 150s now, I have to syphon all over the foot print.. The AC500s are 18watts each, that'll be 108watts for the 6 75gal...
If I were to go sponge only using the LPH26 or 45.. That would be 48watts to fliter the 6 75gal, 2 150gal and maybe a few 20s..

Is my thought process corect here? I know the 2-3 sponge filters would cover my BIO, but would it provide enough water movement?

The more feed back the better guys!!!! thanks!!!

[joe_jaskot]

I would never set up any tank larger than a 30 gallon without a power filter. There is just too much debris. The sponge filters will provide the bio, but the tank will contain a lot of mulm. If I were to set up 6 75 gallon tanks, I would go with a central system for ease of maintenance. After years of fish keeping, you get tired of water changes and cleaning filters in individual tank. If you quarantine new arrivals, your fish room should be disease free.

[joe_jaskot]

If you do decide to go with individual tanks with sponge filters, consider hooking up powerheads to the sponge filters. This will give you plenty of water movement and better filtration.

[Flareside]

I think the powerheads to sponges is a good idea, but from experience the sponges will clog very quickly if they are the only means used to filter the tanks.
He is better off using that electricity running the power heads on sponges to run power filters

[steve0199us]

If the sponges clogged wouldnt a quick squeeze clear it up?
I was thinking of putting 3 sponges in each tank...
Would that create enough water movement?