Leveling a 400l tank stand

[blueether]

OK, Santa came yesterday, well it two trips

The new arrival is a 400+l 1200mm tank and stand, now for the questions:

1. Should I use Self Leveling Compound on the top of the stand or will just a sheet of styrene be OK? 12mm ply top that has never had the full tank on it, the ply has a little wave to it; about 1 - 1.5 mm

[Edit]

2. Should I:

A: Buy a Aquaone CF1200 (can only just afford atm)

B: Buy a CF1000 and then ad another CF 1000 latter when I can afford it and I have increased the bioload

C: Buy a 1200-2000l/h pump, cut an overflow and build a sump (with a trickle filter?)

2c. How big would the sump have to be?

2 is more of less out of the way now that I have a CF1200 in-transit

[spoon]

buy a cf 1200 then buy another 1 later when funds allow

[Adrienne]

what sort of tank are you going to have - will make a difference as to whether or not a sump is the best option.

[blueether]

For now it will have torrent fish, galaxiid and some common and red fin bullies, ie a cold water native setup.

[Joe]

Those like fast current from what I know, so get an FX5 8)

Or build a sump. I don't know much about trickle filters though.

[Stella]

A sump could be handy for making the volume of water even greater, which gives a more stable temperature and increases possibilities for oxygenation.

The big problem with fast-flow coldwater is that the pumps really crank up the temperature.

Though if the galaxiids are the inanga, they are not too keen on fast water. Torries are of course fine with slow water, but you lose some of the behaviours. Could be possible to make a fast water area or use timers if you want to play with the combination.

For fast-flow tanks I recommend:

(tank volume) x (30 or 40) = (ideal litres-per-hour turnover)

If your tank is 1200mm and 400+L it is probably also quite deep? That could make it harder to get fast flow, but also could make it more baffled to suit the inanga, especially if the current is strongest at the bottom of the tank.

[blueether]

A sump could be handy for making the volume of water even greater, which gives a more stable temperature and increases possibilities for oxygenation.

The big problem with fast-flow coldwater is that the pumps really crank up the temperature.

Though if the galaxiids are the inanga, they are not too keen on fast water.

Yes Inanga atm but with a bigger setup I would like to look at some of the others.

I was thinking sump as it would easily allow for a converted dehumidifier to be add as a chiller if/when needed, but I could always inline it on the -ve pressure side of a canister filter.

Stella, I'll post a sketch or two sometime in the native section on how I'm planing to lay the tank out. I was thinking of a ... ... anyway I was thinking a powerhead to up the circulation at one end and only running the tank at 2/3 - 3/4 full, having a shallow built-up end and having a deep hole with planted ferns etc as 'stream' cover, will see what looks good etc.

[Edit]

[Joe]

The big problem with fast-flow coldwater is that the pumps really crank up the temperature.

Unless you are prepared to save up for a chiller

[blueether]

Unless you are prepared to save up for a chiller

Umm...

I was thinking sump as it would easily allow for a converted dehumidifier to be add as a chiller if/when needed, but I could always inline it on the -ve pressure side of a canister filter.

Said dehumidifier (ie a refrigeration unit) is in bits on the bench in the workshop, just needs a thermostat and a waterproof container for the chiller side

About Q1? Do I need to level the top or would polystyrene be ok?