[APD] RE: 370 A vs 300G

["Thomas Barr" <tcbiii at earthlink_net>]

I prefer glass in general.
The extra 5" depth is going to likely be an issue.
Most 300 gal glass tanks are 96lx24dx30h. If the Acrylic is 35" h, you will
have planting issues and maintenance issues.
Some of these issues can be avoided by choosing specific plants and layouts
that minimize trimming of foreground plants. 

Anyone that wants to argue this point with need to try working on a tank
this deep that's acrylic for awhile. After a few months you will not have
the same opinion unless you have very very long arms, spend your nights on
the rack.
You can lower the water level during the water change to avoid getting
underwater to do the work.

Also, plan on laying on top of the tank and hanging down in the tank to do
the work.  

30" is plenty deep for routine maintenance. 
Scrubbing the surface glass/acrylic is much easier since the designs and
construction of glass tanks tend not to hang over making it easier since
you do not have to reach around to clean.

The top opening for acrylic tend to be smaller and has more acrylic
blocking light vs the glass tanks which often have plastic bracing or a few
glass slats.
Access is very important when getting at 30" deep tanks.

Changing water will also be something you will seriously want to address. I
would plumb a quick change spicket and drain directly into this tank. 
You can set up a float valve/timer/pump to slowly change the water 2x a
week or so. 
The small drain pump removes the water while the float switch fills and
this takes place in the sump. 
The added benefit is sump water replacement when the water change is not
occuring also but this becomes a minor issue since you are doing 2x a week
water changes.

If a small pump has a flow of roughly 100gph with the head pressure, 1 to
1.5 hours of "on" will do well. The float switch can be attached to a
reservior or tap water etc. If you are worroied about teh Chlorine, add a
carbon filter in line between the tap water and the sump/float switch.
Use good timers for this, not cheap ones.

This will give you automatic water changes, or you can do the simple drain
and fill spicket method. 
You may want to consider a dosing pump also.

The reason for automation is the scale of the tank. You will be busy
pruning and preening. Also, less chance of flubbing the dosing up and the
ensuing consequences on such a large tank.But if you have a good routine,
the quick drain and fill is nice and dosing with dry fert's is not too bad.

A float switch for sump evaporation replacement would be nice.
Surface skimming, high water level in the prefilter(Use sponge, not DLS),
use bag filters in place of a wet/dry section, these are great for
mechanical filtration. 

As far as weight, both tanks will be extremely heavy. Moving will require
strong 4 people at least. Do not place on a stand higher than 24", this
will hard for you to work on the tank otherwise later(24+30=54 and then you
can lean overe the tank or get around the hood.)

I'd also suggest 2w/gal of either MH or PC(A&H) and an open top or semi
open top design.   

The finished exterior design of the tank is very important, the wife will
harp on you if that looks bad or if you makde a mess after each water
change/pruning, come out with your head wet, have the tank turn into an
algae farm etc. If she sees a lot of energy on your part being done to the
tank, she will become jealous:-) 
So the easy water changes, low noise, easy cleaning access, dosing etc will
minimize this. 

In general, I don't talk about the hobby much to them or try to drag them
to pet shops(very bad idea). Let them have their decisional say as far as
placement and exterior designs, but you need to make it easy for you to
work on and maintain. When your partner is around, you better pay attention
to them, when you are alone, work on the tank and do it fast:) Flowers or
gifts/love notes on water change day ain't bad either. Then if you spent
more time than they think you should on it, you have still found time to be
nice and thoughtful to them, without making them think you love your tank
more than them. I promise that will get you in good. You'll have the tank
and they'll have what they want also. Win-win solution. 

Regards, 
Tom Barr   


 

 




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