David R Posted December 17, 2013 Report Share Posted December 17, 2013 If you're talking about actual turn-over after head height, friction loss etc then 8000LPH seems fairly excessive for a 540L tank IMO. I would think that 4500LPH flowing through your tank and sump will provide plenty of flow, but you could add a couple of small powerheads to add more circulation around the rock work to prevent the build up of waste in any dead spots if needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trelize Posted December 17, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 17, 2013 Hi David , That's what I meant sorry , Powerheads ... I was looking at different options , 1 or 2 - 4500l/h or just the 1 - 8000l/h Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camtang Posted December 17, 2013 Report Share Posted December 17, 2013 I would go with two, only because it gives you more angle's to work with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigfishhead Posted December 17, 2013 Report Share Posted December 17, 2013 Water flow (circulation what ever you want call it) is pretty important in Cichlid tank from my experience. Its not just make the water moving and carry all those waste to the intake. But also keep fish happy. FYI I have FX5 (3500L/H) and a wave maker (6000L/H) in my main 800L tank. I have CF1000 (1000L/H) and a wave maker (3000L/H) in 160L bow front tank. 905(L)x450(W)x655(H)MM. I hope this helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeusterae Posted December 17, 2013 Report Share Posted December 17, 2013 Water circulation/movement/flow etc is pretty important for African Cichlids, because they require high levels of oxygen in the water.... other options are wave makers (as accessories to improve water movement) because most of them are pretty strong and low power consumption. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted December 17, 2013 Report Share Posted December 17, 2013 What sort are you looking at? I've been thinking of getting 1-2 of these Jebao ones to play with; http://www.fish-street.com/wave_maker Seem to be getting pretty good feedback. In a tank with lots of rock work I'd certainly be inclined to go with a couple of smaller ones for different angles rather than one big one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trelize Posted December 17, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 17, 2013 What sort are you looking at? I've been thinking of getting 1-2 of these Jebao ones to play with; http://www.fish-street.com/wave_maker Seem to be getting pretty good feedback. In a tank with lots of rock work I'd certainly be inclined to go with a couple of smaller ones for different angles rather than one big one. I was looking at some Tunze 6045's that are on special , but the Jebao ones are cheaper if you get them from Fishstreet and if they are getting good feedback it could be worth looking at , also HFF have some Reef Octopus 3000l/h's for a reasonable price too The reason I was thinking one Larger unit was to cut down on the amount of plug points I already have ! but 2 does make more sense ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigfishhead Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 I am using 3000L/H and 6000L/H Sunsun wave makers. They work out pretty well for me. 24/7 for two years no problem. I think they are 6W and 8W. Pretty small power consumption. Cost $25~$35 on trademe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trelize Posted December 29, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 29, 2013 I finally got to do a whole bunch over the Xmas break , things are really starting to take shape now , but I have the feeling the real work is only just starting ! Pic's were late afternoon and with my phone so sorry about the quality ... :bggrn: Lounge side: Kitchen/dining side: (Still to finish up the frame insert) LED lights: Top view: Sump: (or at least half of it..) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanjury Posted December 30, 2013 Report Share Posted December 30, 2013 That is looking awesome, well done! I am looking forward to seeing it progress.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigfishhead Posted December 30, 2013 Report Share Posted December 30, 2013 Good on you man. It looks great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nudge Posted December 30, 2013 Report Share Posted December 30, 2013 wow!!! very nice, lets full this bad boy up and get some fish in there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camtang Posted December 30, 2013 Report Share Posted December 30, 2013 Loving the two viewing sides. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trelize Posted December 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 30, 2013 Thanks guys, :bggrn: I am well pleased with the outcome, put the last coat on the insert/frame for the kitchen side so will put that in tomorrow. Still a bit to go though and we are going away end of January so only planning on filling up when I get back, but at least this gives me time to get all the rest sorted ... Electric's, Plumbing, rock, gravel etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrienne Posted December 30, 2013 Report Share Posted December 30, 2013 This looks awesome. Would you be open to visitors once it is completed? I would love to get an article and photos for our magazine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigfishhead Posted December 30, 2013 Report Share Posted December 30, 2013 Beauty... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doddle69 Posted December 31, 2013 Report Share Posted December 31, 2013 where did you get the led lights from? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trelize Posted December 31, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2013 where did you get the led lights from? Stealth LED , and they are awesome , excellent build quality and are custom made to you requirements , let me know if you need contact details . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trelize Posted January 1, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 1, 2014 Finished up the frame/insert and fitted it today... Wanna get started on the electrics next, then the plumbing , never done plumbing before so should be interesting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoFishing Posted January 1, 2014 Report Share Posted January 1, 2014 Wow, that's pure class. I like it a lot. :thup: Looking around my house now to see if I can do something like that. But alas, I don't have any suitable area. May have to move now. :dno: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarletmonuka Posted January 1, 2014 Report Share Posted January 1, 2014 Wow . Your build is looking so much better then mine. Would be great to own my own place to be able to do something like that. Can't wait. To see the fish in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trelize Posted January 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2014 Thank you for the compliments :thup: I have always wanted a " through wall " tank and its been one hell of a project but I am loving the outcome so far , just the Cichlids that are new to me so hoping that all works out alright and also looking forward and not looking forward at the same time to filling the tank for the first time :fshi: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trelize Posted January 3, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2014 I was doing a bit of reading up on setting up a Cichlid tank and one site suggested putting down egg crate/diffuser on the base of the tank before the rock work to help distribute the weight of the rock etc . does anyone here do that or just directly on the glass ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nudge Posted January 3, 2014 Report Share Posted January 3, 2014 i never bothered, cichlids like to did and move sand around so they just end up exposing the egg crate which looks pretty ugly. I have a lot of rock in my tank and i put down a fine layer of substrate then set all the rock work up and got it to my liking then added the rest of the substrate around the rock work so you kind of bury the rocks in to the substate in stead of sitting the rocks on top of the substrate if ya get what i mean. This also helps keep the rock work a little more stable. I've donr this with all my tanks and never had any probs with rocks resting on glass, all my tanks have been 10mm glass or over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smidey Posted January 3, 2014 Report Share Posted January 3, 2014 Nice work well done. I have rock piles and have found the tropheus move more substrate than Malawians. When I added the rocks I pushed them down into the substrate to the bottom panel so if they do move all the substrate the rocks won't move. I use river rocks which slide around more the course surface stone and have never had an issue with my rock piles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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