75G tank with 40G sump journey, a novice perpective

[Pompadour Discus]

This is my journal about an absolute beginner learning and struggling while developing a passion for discus keeping as a hobby. I have very little knowledge about plumbing or sumps. But I do have a love of DIY and I am a creative person by nature. I have never taken on a project like this let alone even held any pipes in my hands. So you can see why this task is a little daunting. But I want and love discus so much that I willing and ready to do this. Unfortunately my new husband is not handy at all. I own all of our tools and he just held a drill for the first time yesterday, lol. I wish at least one of you lived in MI so I could get someone over here to at least see if I got the right items and have things in the correct order I am so afraid that when I finally get this set up I will flood the house or never get it going right. Well enough of the monologue.... here is what I have purchased so far

1.Aqueon 75gallon-display tank

2.Aqueon 40gallon- sump tank- I measured inside dimensions L 35 & 3/16", W 17 & 3/8", H 14 & 1/2"

3.U tube Return- QTY 1- https://www.amazon.com/Tube-Return-M...=U+tube+return

4.Rock Background Recommended by a YouTuber- https://www.amazon.com/Universal-Roc...Universal+rock

5. Aqua Pump 782 GPH- https://www.amazon.com/Rio-Plus-2500...plus+2500+pump

6. Aqueon 3OZ. Silicone- Plan to use this smaller container for the baffles that are to tightly spaced to glue using the caulk gun. https://www.amazon.com/Aqueon-100165...arium+silicone

7. Gordon Glass CO. aquarium silicone 10.2 oz.-https://www.amazon.com/Clear-Aquarium-Silicone-Sealant-Cartridge/dp/B00EZB1QQ2/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1478632265&sr=8-4&keywords=aquarium+silicone

8. Eshopps Dual Drain Overflow Box, pic only shows one drain but it actually comes with 2. https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_n...hopps+aeo11010

I am purchasing products as I learn what I need and have researched the best options. My next purchase will hopefully be the heaters. I am still researching which heater brand is the best and the watts I need, I believe I should be ok with 2-250watt heaters but want to be sure. I am not sure about lighting just yet amongst other things. of course I am leaving the worse for last the plumbing. I have no idea what size pipes I need and hate to make the trip to home depot in this state of mind. I hate the look on the employees faces when they have to help another clueless woman on a project they believe she has no business attempting but I will get it over with soon.

I guess thats it for now..... I will update as I can and hopefully get the uploading pics issue sorted so I can show you my progress.

Aja.

[Ryan925]

Look forward to seeing your progress. I have a 75 g display tank and just bought a 40 breeder to build my sump. I also will be using a dual outlet eshopps overflow.

Sounds like our setups will be quite similar

[Pompadour Discus]

Look forward to seeing your progress. I have a 75 g display tank and just bought a 40 breeder to build my sump. I also will be using a dual outlet eshopps overflow.

Sounds like our setups will be quite similar

AWWWWWW if only we lived near each other we could help each other out, although I probably would be more of an hinderance. Also I forgot to put that I am tiling the bottom of my tank and keep it BB. Have to update that

[Pompadour Discus]

I forgot to add this to my post I plan to have a bare bottom tank and tile the bottom with tile I have purchase from Home Depot. http://www.homedepot.com/p/MS-Intern...w&gclsrc=aw.ds

[Pompadour Discus]

So I finally decided on my lighting thanks to the King of DIY.
I will purchase later tonight -
16.4ft 5M Waterproof Rope Lights 300 LED with remote - https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01JL...4FXFGQR8KQ6BSH

And attempt a DIY using his instructional video- https://youtu.be/_EYC3obFY4w

I am kind of excited about this project seems more obtainable and I can't wait to see the end results

[Jenene]

So I finally decided on my lighting thanks to the King of DIY.
I will purchase later tonight -
16.4ft 5M Waterproof Rope Lights 300 LED with remote - https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01JL...4FXFGQR8KQ6BSH

And attempt a DIY using his instructional video- https://youtu.be/_EYC3obFY4w

I am kind of excited about this project seems more obtainable and I can't wait to see the end results

Welcome Aja!
Love all the links for your project. I saw the King of DIY's video on those lights (love his videos) and we actually have those under our fireplace mantel to light up the stone. They are really cool that you can mix the colors and control them with a remote. I give you a lot of credit treading into unfamiliar territory and doing your research. Enjoy the process and keep us posted.

[Pompadour Discus]

Welcome Aja!
Love all the links for your project. I saw the King of DIY's video on those lights (love his videos) and we actually have those under our fireplace mantel to light up the stone. They are really cool that you can mix the colors and control them with a remote. I give you a lot of credit treading into unfamiliar territory and doing your research. Enjoy the process and keep us posted.

Thanks! I bought most of the supplies today and will get the rest in the morning. My heart is hurting at the moment because I just saw a post on Craigslist for a 125g custom tank with stand, hood, sump, and its already plumbed and beautiful and I soooooo want it bad, but of course can't afford it. He wants $1400 or OBO and its beautiful and I wish I could make an offer. It would mean I could get started a lot sooner and I could use what I bought to setup either a QT tank or grow out tank. So heartbroken right now.

[Pompadour Discus]

Hi everyone, update on sump progress. I spent daysssss designing this 40G sump literally researching every step, checking books, forums (mainly here), websites and YT. I think I came up with something doable for my limited experience which is to say none, no experience at all. I posted this in the beginners thread hoping to get advice and tips, I didn't get as much as I thought I would. Maybe I posted in wrong area or maybe my sump is just fine. I really hope so, because I will be getting glass cut very soon. I'm making the calls today.

Lighting-*Philips 75-Watt*Agro Plant Light BR30*Flood Light*Bulb
http://www.homedepot.com/b/Electrica...tialmax&NCNI-5

75-Watt Incandescent Clamp Light
http://www.homedepot.com/p/75-Watt-I...0PDQ/205139241

Baffles- Smoked Glass
Haven't called around for prices just yet.

Filters-
For filters I planned to start from the top just under inlet pipes in first baffle, first with coarse mechanical media, fine mechanical media, chemical media, then biological media.

1. Fluval External Power Filter Pre-Filter Media
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001CZXZEU

2. Fluval Foam Filter Block
https://www.amazon.com/Fluval-Foam-F...GJ3G8ZQ1DWA5NJ

3. Fluval Fine Filter Water Polishing Pad
https://www.amazon.com/Fluval-Filter...21C6EBWRSM6RM8

4. Seachem Purigen for Freshwater
https://www.amazon.com/Seachem-11601...eachem+purigen


5. Seachem PhosGuard
https://www.amazon.com/Seachem-67101...sguard+seachem

6. Fluval Bio-Foam
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Refugium-

I plan to float the following plants in the water:
*Chaetomorpha
*Ceratopteris- (Water Sprite)
*Anubias Barteri

I also want a few CUC fishes/invertebrates, Not sure what I want yet, open for any suggestions.

Between 3rd and 4th baffle-
Bags of Seachem Matrix resting on top of an egg crate.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004P...seachem+matrix

Return section-

Heaters-

Purchasing 2- 250W*EHEIM Jager Aquarium Thermostat*Heater
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004I6U23C...I7YKN6UB&psc=1

Inkbird ITC-308S 1100W Pre-Wired Digital Dual Stage Temperature Controller, Outlet Thermostats with 12" Stainless Probe Sensor
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A51OLR6...I1MEEM1H35NU67

Pump-

Rio Plus 2500 HP Aqua Pump, 782 GPH

https://www.amazon.com/Rio-Plus-2500...479096872&sr=1

20161114_110940-1032x581.jpg

[kris2341]

chaetomorpha wont grow in freshwater, just a warning!

[Pompadour Discus]

chaetomorpha wont grow in freshwater, just a warning!

OK thanks!! Do you know a good freshwater plant to put in my refugium?

[kris2341]

water lettuce or water hyacinth i think would work

or hygrophila

[Pompadour Discus]

water lettuce or water hyacinth i think would work

or hygrophila

Thanks! I will google those now!

[100fuegos]

Few suggestions based on my own experience.

1. Ditch every filter media mentioned and replace it by poret foam and poret foam only. Start by 10 ppi on top, then 20 ppi and last 30 ppi. You will not need anything else. Do not seat the last piece of poret foam on the bottom of the sump, make a base out of egg crate at around 1 or 1 1/2 inches from the bottom.
2. Ditch the las baffle to the right. It will only create bubbles that your pump will suck and send right up to your tank.

[kris2341]

yeah i just noticed your filter media setup, ditch most of that and just have poret foam (or any other reticulated foam of proper pore size, poret is quality stuff), the matrix(or other bio media, matrix is just pumice stones), and maybe the purigen if you really like it. i personally like purigen but its not mandatory by any means.

[rickztahone]

I can't recall if you posted on my thread or not seeking advice, but if it wasn't you, go check out my build. The sump layout I have is one that I would recommend anyone with a FW tank to emulate. I love the layout and it makes easy to get to stuff if you have the height clearance on your stand. My stand is short but if you plan around this, you will be good.