The Puffer Forum

Hello!

I have been on here before and think this is a great site! I am looking for some suggestions on setting up a filtration system for a 540 gallon tank that I am preparing to setup for my Mbu puffer. The tank has two overflows and a hole drilled in the center of the tank. I was thinking of doing a sump along with a Fluval FX5 and trying to fit in a system for easy water changes. Any ideas or links to other systems would be great. Also, I know that mbu (thats his name) will eventually need a 1000 + gallon and I am willing to do that for him. I have had him for about 1.5 years. Just fishing for some ideas. Below is the attachment of a picture of the tank. It is currently outside because I am having to re-enforce the floor for the weight of the aquarium.

dang the pic is too small.

Canister filter or DIY wet / dry will help. In my 500, I use mostly pond equipment. The main pump that drives it is an unknown Mag Drive. It pushes A LOT of water. I also have a pond skimmer in there and some back up powerheads to keep the surface / dead zones flowing.

Since you are a single tank with possible sump, I'd seriously look into a couple canisters. Those guys are beasts.


now my set up is different than yours. A single puffer tank... that is some serious power you are drawing OR multiple filters. I personally, would go multiple.

Welcome to the club and to the forum!!

I would go with veggie filters:
library/water-filtration/veggiefiltersrtr/

J-P wrote:dang the pic is too small.

Canister filter or DIY wet / dry will help. In my 500, I use mostly pond equipment. The main pump that drives it is an unknown Mag Drive. It pushes A LOT of water. I also have a pond skimmer in there and some back up powerheads to keep the surface / dead zones flowing.

Since you are a single tank with possible sump, I'd seriously look into a couple canisters. Those guys are beasts.


now my set up is different than yours. A single puffer tank... that is some serious power you are drawing OR multiple filters. I personally, would go multiple.

Welcome to the club and to the forum!!

Oh yeah now that's an awesome set-up, J-P.

Btw, I would go with a huge wet/dry sump with a huge pond pump. It would be alot cheaper using pond equipment like J-P replied. Those FX5 are really good filters from what I was told from many frontosa hobbyist and breeders that has huge tanks for large colonies of large frontosa's.

Thanks guys! Really appreciate all the help. I have been thinking of doing a sump, with a section that is planted with snails and somehow including two pond filters. I have a spare 90 gallon acrylic sitting around that I was thinking of using as a sump. Since the tank is drilled in the middle, would that be a good spot to have a type of drain, one with a valve? Or have it hooked up to the filtration system where it intakes water into the sump? Not really sure what to do with it. I am setting up the tank as a bare bottom tank due to the weight and the possible moving factor in August. I am going to find a huge piece of driftwood to attach plants to and make mbu a nice cave with some pots. Here is a larger picture of the tank. Today I am collecting the cement blocks to put under the house with Mike.

Bare bottom tanks aren't suitable for puffers. You would be best to add a very thin layer of substrate. I've also seen tanks that have a thin layer of sand glued to the outside of the bottom. This creates the illusion on substrate without the weight of it.

And here are some pictures of my lovely mbu!! He is about 14 inches!

Well, I plan on panting the under side of the tank so he cant see straight through.. NO STRESS! Thanks!!

Aw, cute face!

Wow he is a beauty . 90 gal. sump for a 500 gal. tank, now that sounds good. I probley would have not had thought of that myself but good thinking, imo.

Wait until RTR chimes in on this one! I'm sure he's gonna have some great ideas.

I would not keep any puffer w/o substrate. The bottom glass will have glare. It need not be thick, but it should be present - my t. mbu blew on the substrate routinely throughout its life - don't deprive the fish of its normal hunting techniques.

That is pretty small for such a large fish. What are the dimensions (LxWxH)? Is the 14" measure with or without the caudal fin (tail), i.e., standard length or total length?

I used external canisters for mechanical and biofiltration, but separate units for each type. I only use Eheims, but canister brands are a personal choice. I also used veggie filters totally about 300 gallons.

I originally used a large double-towered W/D while the fish was young, but gave it up - the prefilters needed rinsing more than once per day, too much for me in FW. That was replaced by the veggie filters. Initially it was just a 120 gallon tank, but I had to expand as the fish matured to keep water quality under control - always difficult with such a massive fish. If i had it to do over I'd use at least 2 180-gal. veggie filters (one reversed light cycle, the other the same light cycle as the tank with the option of adding another 120 to each light cycle if needed. (double what i had before - it was not enough). I probably would go with pond filters for mechanical and initial biofiltration, with their effluent feeding the veggie filters. But the tank would be much larger than what you are planning. There is not enough room for exercise in a 500. Your fish has good proportions now, but it is just Fahaka size, which is relatively easy to handle in conventional large tanks. You do need to plan for at least 4x that fish mass. That is a room with highly reinforced concrete floor and steel beam tank supports.

HTH

Thanks for the ideas guys. Will keep everyone posted on the progress of the system. Oh, he is 14 inches including the tail and the tank is 8x3x3.

ahhh the base of my tank is 12 x 2 x 2 ... just a little different in the turning radius there.

So... for practical purposes .. we'll have to say that that, tank is actually 375 gals - 400 gals. There is displacement of water form the fish, decor, equipment and substrate (if you add it).

So.. adding a DIY wet dry on one side and 2 DIY canisters on the other with a sump would be a dream set up.

Just my idea:

Search youtube for DIY wet dry filters. It can be done easily and cheaply. Not pretty but it can be done. That goes INTO your sump.
From the sump OUT I'd get a couple DIY Canisters. If you can get your hands on some cheap used beer kegs or "corny kegs", those would make excellent canisters. I have a couple myself that are not in use anymore and always wanted to convert them. I have seen them on e-bay at 5 units for under $100

Do not drill the bottom of the tank. If you must drill go for the back and or sides.

Regarding pond equipment VS pool equipment. Pond equipment is much more reasonably priced, pumps the same volume, and uses less energy. I don't know why the pool industry hasn't adapted yet. You can even get solar pumps that can add spray while the lights are on with a very easy modification.

I know that is a lot of research, but the more you do, the more prepared you are for the challenge. Just don't become a victim of "analysis paralysis". Have the vision and go for it in an educated method.

We're here for you!

ohhhh as mentioned before.. the flooring. I know you have an acrylic tank... mine is glass but still expect about 5 tonnes of weight on the floors.

Mine is sitting at about 7 tonnes.

Next factor in humidity.. that is a big issue here. Without proper circulation you WILL have window /door problems and mold. And the lessons are just on the way