ADA 90P on the way!

[ShadowMac]

I took down my 37 gallon tank this last weekend. Completely cleaned it and was going to prepare it for a new scape. I showed my wife why I hated the dimensions; 12" depth, 22" or so height. It is awful for aquascaping. She then surprised me and said, "Maybe we should get a new tank". This lead to me getting "permission" to go whole hog! Needless to say I am super excited to get this project going.

Planned equipment: ADA-90P (48 gallons), 36" ATI dimmable Sunpower with controller, if needed an ecotech mp-10, pressurized CO2 with inline atomizer, eheim 2217 (264 gph). Aquasoil is on the way. Driftwood from Tom has been soaking for a few weeks.

Does anyone think I will need the MP-10? Will the 2217 be enough filtration? I just sold my entire 37 gallon setup and could go with a CPR wet/dry but it will be in my living room and I think the overflow may be too loud and annoy me. I want silence.

Tom, I know you have an ATI and have done some measurements on the lighting. I would like to know what you suggest as a height to suspend the light above the tank and a suggested lighting schedule for a dawn to dusk if it isn't too much to ask.

I plan to either order a cabinet or talk to a cabinet maker here in town to see if they would be able to build an ADA style cabinet for a comparable price. I'm waiting on shipping quotes from Aqua Forest Aquarium and ADG to see if there is a price difference.

I have a tentative plant list, have to decide on a layout since my original idea was intended for the 37. I won't have dark corners and 50% more depth.

Limnophilia Aromatica, pogostemon stellatus, rotala macandra green, pogostemon erectus, needle leaf java fern, bolbitus, blyxxa japonica, cryptocoryne lucens, HC, hemianthus micranthemoides, Echnornia diversifolia, micro sword, downoi, staurogyne repens, hydrocotyle sibthurpioides, hydrocotyle verticillata, an assortment of anubias, willow moss, fissidens

All of these are possibilities and I would probably use most if not all.

I may post a sketch of a planned layout when I have one for critique and comment.

[pat w]

I just sold my entire 37 gallon setup and could go with a CPR wet/dry but it will be in my living room and I think the overflow may be too loud and annoy me. I want silence.

Get a two drain overflow and set it up Herbie style. I'm not 100% done with my sump change over but I have tested my Herbie modded overflow and all I can hear is the pump. You also get a huge flow bonus, way more flow than conventional air sucking configurations (standard, stockman, durso).

Pat

[feh]

The wet/dry sump and overflow is only as quiet and you can make it. There are a lot of tricks to get things quiet without sacrificing flow.The durso and stockman can be just as quiet as the others but they do require a little bit of tuning. I would recommend using a powerhead though. If not so much for the plants to help keep detritus suspended in the water column to get it to the overflow. I'm still working out the last kink in my DIY reef sump.

[ShadowMac]

I was thinking CPR because the tank is not drilled, I have NO experience with overflows or sumps, so plug n' play would be a good option for me.

Can the Herbie be done on a tank that isn't drilled?

[pat w]

I modded an Eshopps PF-800 to run as a Herbie. Drilled for a second bulkhead but a stock PF-1000 or a two drain CPR (eg CS102)will work out of the box, set the standpipe for the primary drain just under the lip of the divider plate for the Eshopps or no stand pipe for the CPR. Then set the top of the secondary/emergency stand pipe about 3 inches above that. Then you add the gate valve in the path of the primary and run both independently to the sump and you're set. Flows like a bandit. I added a second U-tube to the PF-800 just to be sure it could keep up and there's enough flow in each of them to keep them both clear of air.

Pat

[Gerryd]

Hey,

Congrats on the new tank! Best of luck...

1. I would try min of 12-14" from the surface for the fixture as a start.

2. I think the mp10 is nice but personally I would:

a. Spend the money on a PAR meter
b. Buy a koralia instead.

I will be interested in hearing your experience with the ATI fixture....

[feh]

Spend the money on a PAR meter

I'm thinking about squeezing one of these out of my tax return.

[Gerryd]

I'm thinking about squeezing one of these out of my tax return.

I am beginning to think this should be more of a priority if possible for folks. Esp with mult tanks. The knowledge and value of actual PAR values cannot be overstated. It has helped me immensely since we have to guess at c02...

[ShadowMac]

Thanks Gerry! My mouth damn near hit the floor when she finally agreed to let me upgrade.

the MP-10 was a Christmas present from my wife, so I already have that. A PAR meter should be on next years list. Although this will be the first tank I have had in which I can adjust the lighting intensity and move the lighting distance. My 37 had a DIY lighting built into a wooden canopy. I'm hoping since Tom has an ATI and has done some measurements that he could lend me some of his wisdom and experience.

I'm starting to lean towards either a bigger canister filter, eheim pro 3 with a flowrate of 330...or keeping the 2217 (264 gph) and have the MP-10 pick up the slack.

I'm thinking I'm going to have to have the stand custom made. It should save me shipping charges. I think I know of a guy here in town that would be up for it.

[Biollante]

Hi Shawn,

You will be happier with a wet/dry system. Wet/dry filters are not nearly as complex as they may seem.

Seriously consider drilling your tank.

For quiet and safety, I do not believe Bean Animal’s “Silent and Fail-Safe Aquarium Overflow System” can be beat.

Biollante