Diagram or photo of 4 x 8 closed system

[Jim Bright]

First post on the board--impressive how much info is on here but after reading all the resources and searching the board I wasn't able to find as many photos or diagrams as I hoped for setting up one 4 x 8 tank. Any shots you have that might show your bio-filter, piping, pumps, drains, etc would help.

[jack1747]

Did ya visit this page? -> http://www.bluecrab.info/resources2.htm

[Jim Bright]

I did look at the links and read osterlings book. Lots of information, maybe too much to take in. I think much of that info is geared more toward the guys with large scale operations. I trotline and last season I had trouble selling peelers to bait shops so this year I was planning to keep em and shed/eat/freeze and maybe even sell a few. So I wanted to start small with one closed system 4x8. I just want to keep it as simple as possible and some more photos would help a lot if anyone has any of any, especially of a single 4x8 set up.

[Mikie]

First post on the Board? You registered in 2004 and have 53 posts to your name. I recall that you were a high school teacher and used your students to build an auto dipper, etc..

Anyway, there are several guys on here who have built and have knowledge of small, closed systems. It's a slow time of the year on the Board and I'm sure they will be active closer to the season. While you're waiting I'd keep researching.

[Jim Bright]

Right, meant soft crab board. Can't remember ever posting here. Kids are getting older and hoping to crab five days a week this summer. That's partly why I want to finally build a tank, thought my boy would like to help with it. He's been in the shanties at Wenona, Champ, etc and loved seeing those operations.

[still fishing]

VIMS has webpages on shedding systems .

[rj]

Jim
I have one, it is just a single tank at this time, but i have used the same setup for multiple tanks,  I, see you are in Wicomico county, I am in accomack county va.  you are welcome to stop by & look at mine sometime, I will probably start it up at the end of march.

 most of the information for building & using it came from the link that jack posted,

http://nsgl.gso.uri.edu/flsgp/flsgpg97003.pdf

 it works well, I get 75 to 90% shed rate. doesnt require much maintenance.
I have fiberglass tanks,,I know that wood tanks have been used for many years.  but I prefer the fiberglass, it is just easier & no problems with them & not that much in cost & last forever
feel free to contact me anytime 443-987-6109
RJ

[Jim Bright]

Thanks for the responses, bmails, and offers to see some set ups. I've read everything I can get my hands on twice.  RJ, after looking at time/cost of building a wood tank I decided to take the route you did and just go Fiberglass. I picked up a use tank yesterday. I'll post some photos of it later.

[Jim Bright]

Here's the tank I got

[Jim Bright]

Inside of tank. It has two drains. I guess I'll run them both to the filter, which I haven't made yet

[rdbeard]

 Jim the tank looks like it was used in an open system. In the open system you would pump water from a creek or river directly into the tank and let it run directly back to the creekor river but i'm not sure that it is and open system tank, did the guy you bought it from say it was from a closed system? I don't understand the slots in the bottom of the drains, i have 1 drain in center that sets the depth at which the water drains down into filter and don't worry, im sure the tank will work either way with a little work. Also great to have the top if you use it, it will keep the racoons and herons out.

[Jim Bright]

Yes, it was an open water system. I think it will take some trial and error to get it set up right. I was planning to have both drains flowing to a biofilter under the tank. I was wondering what problems that might create with water volume going through the filter. Does anyone have any ideas? I couldn't find much on a two drain closed system setup.

[Jim Bright]

Rdbeard, I meant to add that I think those slots you see allow the dirtier water at the bottom of the tank to be drawn up and then out of the standpipe drain tube.

[Mikie]

Use a smaller (1 1/2" or 2") drain to set the water height then place the larger pipe with the slots over the drain pipe. As long as the larger pipe is taller then the drain the water will be drawn from the bottom of the tank through the slots. Like Jim said, pulls the dirty stuff off of the bottom.
Just pipe both of the drains together under the box to run to the filter. You could just make a trough for the drains to drop into and run it to your filter. I use the same setup on my open system with the trough running back to the creek.

[reds]

Use a smaller (1 1/2" or 2") drain to set the water height then place the larger pipe with the slots over the drain pipe. As long as the larger pipe is taller then the drain the water will be drawn from the bottom of the tank through the slots. Like Jim said, pulls the dirty stuff off of the bottom.
Just pipe both of the drains together under the box to run to the filter. You could just make a trough for the drains to drop into and run it to your filter. I use the same setup on my open system with the trough running back to the creek.

Mikie

What brand/type pump do you use?

[Mikie]

Reds, I use a two speed spa pump.