180 filter/circulation questions

[4G1v3N]

Hello Everyone,

I am setting up my 180 after about 3 years of downtime, I have an idea of the setup for my flow/ filtration just wanted to see if all you pros could see if there were any flaws or a better way to set it up.

My tank 72"X24"X24" Internal overflow in center of tank, 2" overflow down to a T That splits between a seperate sump and a sepertate fuge. Both are interconnected and both have mag 18's that feeds the returns, which are 1"1/4, 4 in total -two on the left and two on the right of the over flow.

My question would be is it good to have a seperate sump and fuge? and is there any other way to set it up that would be more efficent? Im in the process of building the stand and am going to start plumbing tommrow, so any advice would be greatly appeciated

Thanks

-Jordan

PS, Will start a thread on the progress of the tank and post photos.

 

[waynem]

Advantage with a split is flow control, down side is the need for extra return pumps. If you can have them one above the other it removes this downside as gravity can do the work.

 

[4G1v3N]

Thanks for the response, Would something like this be better? and would a mag 18 be enough flow?

The pipe interconnecting from fuge to sump is a 2 inch and return is 1"

 

[4G1v3N]

Thanks for the response, Would something like this be better? and would a mag 18 be enough flow?

 

[4G1v3N]

the original way i have it setup was like this

 

[papajojo]

as opposed to having 2 containers why not just go with 1 and double your pump? the pluming could be the same simply have both linked and both going to the pump so the water level equals out and both supply the pump

 

[Demonic]

Why a mag 18? Is it because you have it available? You really dont need a lot of flow going through your sump. Less flow, less microbubble chance.

 

[4G1v3N]

Yeah, i have 2 mag 18's i got them for a good deal, and was using them in the second diagram. Im kinda lost on the whole setup idea, if anyone could shoot me a good link of dram me some type of diagram showing the best way for me to have my tank setup, i would prefer not to have any power heads but if i must its not a problem.

just would rather use what i have than buying anything new.

Thanks for your replys,
-Jordan

 

[4G1v3N]

Would something like this be the best way?

any comments? concerns?

Thanks,
-Jordan

 

[Lightsluvr]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15493409#post15493409 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 4G1v3N
Would something like this be the best way?

any comments? concerns?

Thanks,
-Jordan

Of all the options, I like this one the best. You need less flow through your refugium than your sump, and this is a proper way to control it, IMHO. However, you will want to feed the opposite end of the refugium from where the outflowto the sump will be located...Make the water goes completely through the refugium media.

Too bad you can't go with a quieter, cooler external return pump on your 180.

LL

 

[4G1v3N]

I could run the mag pump external, would that be a better option?

 

[Demonic]

What kind of tank is this? SPS, LPS, Softie, FOWLR? Your going to really have to build that sump well to trap those microbubbles. What is the size of your sump?

 

[4G1v3N]

36"L X 16" H X 14" W Sump and i plan on having a mixed reef

 

[Demonic]

Sump seems a little small to have so much flow through it. Might have some microbubbles in the Display tank.

 

[4G1v3N]

Would closing the ball valve on the drain and on the return pump eliminate the microbubbles?

And what would be the best way to plumb/ setup this tank? I was trying to use what i had but i want it to be an ideal setup that would be failsafe and i wouldent have to worry about changing the design later.

 

[waynem]

If you have filter socks you should not get to manymicro bubbles, but at the cost of pods etc

I like the 2nd drawing also.

 

[Demonic]

Filter socks are great at catching the microbubbles, but at a cost. You are going to have to replace them every 3 to 4 days, and what waynem said also, living things will also get trapped.

 

[static69static]

I think the Mag 18 is overkill. I have a 180 gallon also and I'm only running the largest Tunze Silence pump and before that I had a Mag 7. It was the perfect amount of flow to ensure my skimmer was efficiently working. You only need 3-5x turnover going through refugium and / or sump (skimmer).

Then again, I'm only using a 58 gallon (36" x 18 x 21) for a sump. I'm not running a refugium.

As for equipment, I'm running the Vertex IN 280 for skimmer and getting majority of my circulation with two Tunze 6105s and two Tunze 6055s on the 7096 controller. Those pumps were the best purchase I have made since being in the hobby. The corals definitely react in a positive manner.

Good luck.