[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
Re: Aquatic Plants Digest V4 #1459
(snip)
n, 9 Dec 2001 15:58:19 EST
From: CESSNABUM1 at aol_com
Subject: seting up 125 gallon tank
My wife just sprung it on me that I can get my 125 gallon tank for Christmas
that I have been dreaming about. (she must want something big).
So my question to you is can you help me set it up!
I'm thinking about getting the reef ready style that has the overflow boxes
in each corner, and drilled with bulkhead fittings, because I would like to
use a wet/dry filter. I'm interested in the eheim model 2229. Do I even need
the overflow boxes with this filter? Is this a good choice of filter? Can
someone explain the theory behind overflow boxes, sumps etc. or can send me
to a site with good info.
Another question is cable heaters. Is it worth the money? what is a good
brand to get and from where.
I'm probably going to use cf lighting from ahsupply.
any suggestion on what to do with this setup is greatly appreciated
Jeff Vamos
Cessnabum1 at aol_com
------------------------------
(snip)
Hi Jeff,
I can help with some of your questions. I have an All-Glass 125 with the
overflows. I have an Eheim 2217 hooked up to one overflow and an Eheim 2028
hooked to the other, using the bulkhead fitttings.
An Eheim 2229 Wet-Dry does not require an overflow or siphon box, as the dry
portion takes place inside the canister. I am not sure how the air gets into
the canister (1 way valve?). The Eheim wet-dry canister idea is really
particular to Eheim, meaning their label for it. The generic wet/dry filter
is an open top box, plastic or acrylic, with plastic filter media that sits
under the tank, with water (from the overflows) spilling over plastic
media/chemicals (wet from the tank water with dry air exposure), etc., and
then returning to the tank via a pump (submersed or external). Most plant
guys using wet/drys probably don't use much, if any, plastic media and let
the plants have the ammonia.
Maybe you might want to consider a traditional wet/dry filter over the Eheim,
as it allows easy access for chemical additions, heater placement, probe
placement, CO2 reactors, etc. This would also give you the option of
converting to a reef setup later if you want to without having to duplicate
your equipment. I have thought this arrangement would off-gas CO2 more than
other type setups, but CO2 is cheap, so not a big deal really. Proper pH
control doesn't seem to be a problem for those using them.
I place my heater and pH probe in the overflows of the tank, as I don't use a
wet-dry.
Daphne from the list uses Dupla heater cables on her tank. Maybe she will
post her experience with them.
I have a 4 x 96 watt Compact Flourescent fixture on the tank and have been
very satisfied with it.
Dave