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I have a line on getting a Huge tank used.
An 8'x2'x2' tank that is said to have filter sump pumps.

I have No idea what those are and how they work. (efficiently, filter eliments needed, or anything)

My current two 55g tanks each have 2 "regular" Marineland Emperor filters running together.

Please tell me, and hopefully send me links/photos of what all that is, Please? How well do and can that work, please?
(my Google search turned up little...maybe I'm searching the wrong "terms", not know what to search for)!!

Hi,
Here is a site that should answer most, if not all of
your questions:

http://saltaquarium.about.com/od/sumpoflowsetup/Sump_Overflow_Box_Setups.htm

Essentially it is another aquarium, generally placed below
the show tank, in the cabinet below. It contains sections
for the various media and is generally a "wet/Dry" filer.
The pump must be large enough to move the whole tank
through the filter a minimum of 5-6 times per hour.
In that 8x2x2 tank, that's allot of water! While generally
used in marine tanks, they can also be used in large
freshwater tanks.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Thanks, Frank
I see.
The guy wants more than I can pay for the setup, which already includes Cichlids, substrate and landscaping (aquascaping?)beside the pump filter(s).

If he would sell me just the tank and hood, I could (make a stand, and) afford it. But he's trying for a package deal, of course.

I already have 4 Marineland Emperor 400 filters for a BIG tank, but would those do the job? It probably is acrylic (as most Large tanks are)....could I cut slots on the tank top to insert them and still maintain the tank strength integrity?

Hi,
I don't know anything about the filters that you already
have. You would have to total their turnover volumes
and see if that total would equal the volume of the
new tank 5-6 times in an hour.
The 5-6 time turnover rate is an "ideal" and actually
some consider it a minimum.
It depends upon the fish, the fish load and the
hardscape in the tank. For a 200G tank, you would have
to turn 1,000 to 1,200 gallons in an hour.

Perhaps, it's better that he wants to get rid of everything
at once. Its made you look at a bigger picture besides just
the lure of a "big water" tank.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Frank,
Right about the flow amount gph. The 400 Dual Bio-Wheel Emperors cycle 400 gallons per hour(each). So, four of them would do 1600 gph, or three would do 1200 gph.

I don't think I'll get a 200g tank, but maybe a 125 or 150g. But need length for my growing 8 Bala Sharks (which I wouldn't have bought if I'd gotten Marc's word about them being endangered, but now want room for). I'm not just lusting after a bigger tank...I have a specific reason....growing fish (others too, including cichlids) that will need more room in awhile.

Since those are nearly all acrylic plastic, and the tops are part of the tanks(with hand holes cut in for access), what about my question of tank strength integrity if I cut slots in the plastic tops near the back for these Emperor 400s? Would it weaken the tank significantly?

(do you think I should start another thread about this tank modification strength question?)

8' x 2' x 2' is about 240 US gallons.

I think someone else actually had the same question about cutting an acrylic tank. Dunno if you can do that or not. A gut reaction is to say it's probably not the best idea, because even though HOB's are so popular for some reason the aquarium makers STILL found it a good idea not to make it so an HOB could fit on their aquarium.

You're going to have to be confident in your construction ability if you're building the stand because about a ton of water is no joke. Also, make sure to place the tank in a position where the house has a strong enough support. For example, try to put the tank perpendicular to floor supports rather than parallel, or if your house has a weight-bearing wall use that.

Even if he wants more than you can pay, used tanks are often still a good deal on all the parts.

--------------------------------------------
The aquarist is one who must learn the ways of the biologist, the chemist, and the veterinarian.

you cannot cut the acrylic like oyu want... they cme the way they can handel. minor cuts less than one inch may be k, but you would also need to contact the manufacturer to ask...

\\\\\\\"an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of the cure\\\\\\\"

Thanks, Shinigami and brandeeno
The 8 footer is out of my money range with the support pump filter, etc. He wants $1200 to $1400 for it, more with the stand.

The floor of my house is a concrete slab and the weight would be OK.
I built a stand years ago for a 125g I used to have. And believe me, just as I "over equip" my tanks with extra high capacity filters and heater sizes than needed....I over built the stand out of 4"x4" posts, Strong 2"x6" crossbracing in all directions and thick plywood sides to make SURE there would be no problem.
(I designed and "over-built" an airplane from scratch(not a kit) when a teenager, that ended up being too heavy to fly...Ha!)

No, a 6 foot long tank is the most I'll use for my growing fish. After I Over-build it's stand one of these days. The reason the large tanks of acrylic are made the way the are with near solid tops, is because it is needed to hold the water pressure with "thinner" acrylic plactic sides material...and it bends, unlike glass.

I appreciate, as always, all your thoughts and advice, guys.