280 Gallon tank

Looks like i'm going to be getting a 280 gallon tank! The guy is throwing in a 35 gallon tank for a sump, 300 gal/hour sump pump, lights, stand, and possibly some heaters. Also, he is going to give me a Monster catfish I think its 2 feet long. I won't know till i get the tank home. Its an amazing deal i just couldn't turn down! All this for $400!!!

It will either be a 24" Red Tail Catfish or 20" Tiger Shovel Nose/Red Tail Cross (catfish). I'm not to sure which one he will give to me. But that catfish will have to fend for itself since is 280 gallon is for my BDR! A little overkill eh?

I ended up getting the 280 gal. Just have to go get it!

On a tank this big what can I use for airation and how many heaters would I need to get? This tank is drilled for a sump and inlet and outlet. How would I make something so when the power goes out the tank doesn't siphon.

Got my 280 gallon tank today. There is no stand because the stand got thrown out. But he ended up giving me a 1100 gal/hour sump pump instead of the 300 gal/hour pump. Fair trade I say! Here are some pics of what i got today. The only thing missing is the dual 4 foot hanging flourecent fixture with flourecent tubes i didn't take a pic of it

280 gallon tank! Drilled for sump 1 inlet 1 outlet. Tank measurements 96" x 24" x 27


1100 gallon per hour pump


35 gallon sump tank

Nice score !!!! As for your sump its not big enough for that tank nor pump. Your pump is a (beast), and depending on the size of the holes drilled it might be too strong. I was running a mag drive 12 on my 220 with 4 - 1" bulk heads feeding a double sump I made and the pump still was pushing more than I could give it. If you can't give the pump what it needs it will cause you bulk heads to make noise that you can hear. (loud) As for sump I would look in the range of 50 gallons or more. You can also use rubbermaid tubs.

But, when you start getting setup let me know if you need help and I will do what I can to help you ..

I feel like i stole it because it was so cheap! I believe my bulkheads in the tank are 3". I will measure them tonight. The model of the pump is IWAKI MD55RDL. The pump is rated for just over 1100 gallon per hour. what size sump pump do i need? i would have thought 1100 gal/hour be enough. i will look into a bigger sump tank. i just worried about how to setup the sump tank and pump so when the power goes out that the tank doesn't siphon itself! that's a LOT of water!

A don't get me wrong, you got on H*ll of a deal.
For a sump you could even use a large rubbermaid garbage can if you have the room to hide it. I think you are reading to far into which makesit sound harder than it really is. I will try to write something up so you can try it.

I am at work right now, but when I get some free time I will write some stuff up explaining how to set it up. Its really easy, your sump doesn't get filled all the way up unless the power goes out.

I would greatly appreciate that!

A check out the DIY section for a quick guide on setting up a sump.

Hope it helps you!!!!

i got back from my local fish store here. I just picked up a 120 gallon sump tank. 48" x 24" x 24". The tank is drilled at the top and one at the bottom. it just needs to be sealed. They are going divide the tank and set it up as a sump tank. Can't complain for $80. The tank has 1/2" glass! Plus they have extra glass they are going to give me for free so I can cover the top of my 280 gallon tank.

Here's and update. I just got my stand today. It was over built to support 10 000+ pounds! Heres some pics of it

Here is the view of the whole stand


Here is the view where the 120 gallon sump tank is going to go


Here is one of the notches made in the stand for one of the drains in the 280 gallon tank



Here is the other notch in the stand for the opposite drain. Notice the braces on the coners. Since the drian on the tank would have hit the upright post. The post had to be notched.

Heres a few pics of my 120 gallon sump tank



top view

Thanks Cam! It is going to be sweet. I'm wait to get my tank put together. I will post new pics of the setup as I go.

A looks like you hit the ground running man. Keep the updates coming, can't wait to see it running.

Ok insanity, your keeping all the fun to yourself. Hows this beast coming?

I'm waiting for my buddy to come seal my tank for me.. its all ready to go if the tank was together

Sounds good man, good luck with that..

wow that looks like a big project coming along nicely.
your sump would be most people's "big tank" in itself. cant wait to see the water in that monster...

Any update on this beast?

No not Yet. I had to put this project on hold for now. Unless Someone wants to help me put together the tank. Lol. I will update soon as I can.