Mbu Planning

manutius · Post by **manutius** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 11:11 am

I think that with the size of your tank working out to be

Dimensions 305 x 91 x 91cm/120" x 36" x 36
Surface area 2.78 sqm/29.92 sq ft/ inches sq in
Volume 2547 l./561 gal. (672.85 US gal.)
Probable volume 2292 l./505 gal. (606 US gal.)

You could get an FX5 or two but if you need some help making your mind up have alook at this reveiw from my other forum.

http://www.fishkeepingforum.co.uk/forum ... p?TID=1806

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 1:02 pm

RTR wrote:It would take some comuputation to figure out total volume turnover on my old mbu set-up, as it had multiple filters. The display was only 180 gallons, plus a 120 gallon reversed light cycle veggie filter and two same-cycle 40 gallon veggie filters and another 40 gallon sump, plus 3 Eheim 2217s, RFUG in the main tank, 10 internal Eheims (3 each in display and the main veggie filter, 2 each in the smaller veggie filters), plus Eheim hobby pumps moving the water between the tanks. heating as such was not required - all those filters, pumps, and lights kept the system quite warm enough. Partials were 80-100 gallons every other day.

Can I swear?

Great setup - unfortunately I don't have the space for much more than the square footage under the tank and some space for piping, plus I like to heat water externally too (cold here).

I will be pumping automated water changes in addition to filtration at a max of about 10% of volume per hour but was going to set it to do this
amount daily at first, is this too little?

Whatever filtration I use I was planning on filtering at a minimum of 4000ltr/hour and a maximum of 10,000ltr/hour which seems a decent enough range (?) v budget.

Phaedrus · Post by **Phaedrus** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 6:37 pm

Swear all you want, the language filter will catch it

Remember, there is no such thing as over engineering. ...though RTR's situation is getting close.

Post by **RTR** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 11:38 pm

RTR's situation was simple ignorance - lack of knowledge about how big an mbu would really be in captivity. That was followed, as it should be, by repenting at leisure and trying to compensate - inadequately. That system was never under control, it was simply too small.

Over-engineering is an attitude of which I am all too fond. If there is a challenge, there are multiple solutions. the simplest is usually the best, but the complex are more fun.

Phaedrus · Post by **Phaedrus** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 2:17 am

RTR wrote:Over-engineering is an attitude of which I am all too fond. If there is a challenge, there are multiple solutions. the simplest is usually the best, but the complex are more fun.

QFT

manutius · Post by **manutius** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 4:41 am

Paul have you totally written off the idea of a sump?

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 5:06 am

No I haven't written the idea off, I just prefer other solutions. If it is the only way I can achieve a more beneficial environment then I'll do it - how large would you suggest?

manutius · Post by **manutius** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 5:14 am

its really depends on the space you have alongside the mammoth tank. I'm not too sure on the dimesions I'm afraid as I have never had one. However there will be someone along who could advise you. I think its safe to say the bigger the better

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 6:09 am

I guess I'll have to get it in place and see.

Have been looking at the FX5s too and (although ugly) may give a few of these a go on something else to see how they work - their filtration rates are certainly better and I need to check out how the automatic water changes facility works (mine is separate to filtration).

I work almost exclusively with Eheim Thermos 2128s and 2329s (for the sake of filtration rates, media and such) and have never yet come across a filtration/heating situation that could be solved by banging another one in the system.

manutius · Post by **manutius** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 6:22 am

Have alook at the post I mentioned earlier.
http://www.fishkeepingforum.co.uk/forum ... p?TID=1806

You could join and PM the author with any questions, he's had it running for a year now

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 7:46 am

Cheers, I have joined and will check it out.

manutius · Post by **manutius** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 8:13 am

Hi PAul with refernce to the sump size my mate reckons that 5x2x2 would be a good start but as always the bigger the better. In terms of space you are better off with the externals if that is an issue, but it would greatly increase the water volume by 150USG. This does sound large but you could site it comfortably under the tank depending on your stand/cabinet arrangement. Have you given that any more thought?

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 9:50 am

The tank will be built into a breeze block wall (so it is flush on one side and sticks out into the back room for maintenance) and base so apart from strategic support of the base, the configuration is up to me - I could built in a couple of 4 x 2 x 2 sumps without changing my planned build.

Post by **Myaj** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 4:48 pm

That was what I was just thinking.. Build in two smaller sumps under the main tank. You could do one or both as a veggie filter even. Or set it up for them, and add them on as the puffer grows. Say when he's half grown, add one, as he's reaching full size, add the other. Its no big deal to add a HOB overflow box to an existing tank, as long as you have a place to put the sump itself.

manutius · Post by **manutius** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 10:26 am

I was thinking that builing the two sump would be a great idea if you only used one at first while he was small. The redundant one could be used to grow snails and shrimp for him as he grows, enabling a constant supply of good live food whilst he is young and growing fast. Once he gets bigger the feed frequency would be reducing and you could then use the second sump for its proper purpose. Just a thought

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