The "boss" gave me a green light

[Stilgore]

My wife just gave me the go ahead today to start the process on a 300 gallon tank. I just ordered the stand and canopy from a local builder and the tank is already in. Can't wait to get started!!

I was discussing the build with the lfs owner. I will have an equipment room for the tank but it will be in the basement while the tank will be on the first floor. I figure around 20 feet of head loss. He has a Sequence rated at 9000 gal/hr that he has used for 1 year so it still has 2 years left on the warranty.

My question is.....Will 9000 gal/hr be to much pressure? The tank has a corner overflow and drilling the sides of the tank is really not something I want to risk. Therefore, I was thinking about plumbing 2 sea swirls for the top portion of the tank and I am still trying to come up with an option to get some flow to the lower portion (tanks is 96lx24wx30h).

Sorry for the choppy post but I am very excited and have a million and one questions. I will post later when my thoughts are a little more organized

Later
Stil

 

[seaguy7]

Assuming that you are talking about a Sequence 9000, I would say the answer is it will be too much water volume. That pump is a monster. Even with 24' of head pressure it still pumps over 8000 gph.

You can find the performance chart here:

http://www.mdminc.com/Sequence_Power_Series.htm

It also seems to require 230V. It requires up to 2000 watts so it will not run from a typical 120V outlet. It will consume more than 15 amps all by itself and whatever you save by buying used would probably be consumed in power bills after a few months.

If I were in your position, I would buy a new version of a smaller pump. I have only about 8' of head pressure so I don't know what pump might be suitable.

You should consider running two smaller pumps. One at something less than 3000 gph for your return and then another for a closed loop which could handle a lot more volume and ideally sit underneath the tank so you don't have to pay to push all that water uphill. But if you don't want to add a bulkhead to the tank, then you can't run a closed loop so I suggest you go with a return of something around 2000 gph and add internal flow with Tunze Streams, Vortechs or traditional powerheads.

If the tank is acrylic, it really isn't that difficult to drill. Just find a scrap piece of acrylic that is the same thickness and practice first. If it is glass, I wouldn't know how difficult that will be.

Good luck.

-Greg

 

[Stilgore]

Thanks for the response. The tank is glass so I dont think I will drill it.

Can I run a closed loop by drilling an intake in the acrylic overflow and running the return for the closed up through the back of the aquarium?

The overflow is on one end but the tank will only be viewable from two sides.

Thanks again,
Stil

 

[seaguy7]

If I understand what you are suggesting, if you drill only into the overflow, you would have the flow of both your return and closed loop running over the overflow. It is unlikely that your overflow could handle that large of volume.

A better solution would be running your return externally and getting additional flow using putting internal systems (like Tunze). You will use less electricity than a local closed loop under your tank and a lot less electricity than running your closed loop from your basement.

-Greg

 

[ricks]

Will your floor hold over 3,000#. I Would be careful on a 300 gallon above basement...

 

[thor32766]

yeah make sure and check the suppot under the tank. it will be around 4000 lbs i am estimating

 

[Stilgore]

I am checking on the weight, I have someone stopping by this weekend to let me know.

The tank will be parallel to the joists (on 16) and will sit on two of them that span around 12'. To the rear of the tank (underneath) is a manufactured beam around 8 inches thick.

Regardless of what I am told I will be putting bracing between the joists and since the basement is not finished, if need be, I will put a brace under the floor.

Thanks,
Stil