300 / 125 set-up need lots of advise!!!!!

[svb57]

Whaledriver,

I think the big issue for you is the way the lighting gets in your way. I would put alot of thought into a system to move it out of the way when you need access.
The VHO light setup I have is (4) 6' bulbs in a ABS housing. So I can move it out of the way rather easily.

If you make the lower light hood so that the air vents out on the ends an comes in from the middle all the heat goes to the side.
If I put (4) fans under the 300 tank aiming straight down I think I can move enough air in/around/over the water to keep it cool. Also if I go with Jeff's idea with a shallow/large surface area sump I should get lots of cooling effect there with some fans too.

For safety figure 18 inches of maximum pump off water height and you can plan the size of your sump.
Some math help here! With both the 300g and the 125g overflowing into the sump how many gallons should I need if the 300g has 2" over water that can over flow into it and the 125g would have 4" pverflowing?

Again thanks for all the input. I think I have one shot at this to get it right.

Jim Mc

 

[jgleach]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7118682#post7118682 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Whaledriver
Think about how a Duroso overflow raises the water height in the overflow box. You will end up with that situation but without the Duroso. 29 inches of head pressure will be on your bottom tanks overflow if the sump is on the floor. For safty figure 18 inches of maximum pump off water height and you can plan the size of your sump.

OK....ya lost me here.....

 

[jgleach]

Jim,
96x24x2=4608
72x18x4=5184

9792/231=42.4 gallons

I'm pretty sure you can design your system so that it won't drain that much back into your sump, but a large sump volume 1/2 full is better than a small sump volume 3/4 full in my book.

 

[svb57]

Jeff,

I think if I make a sump that is 30" tall and have it sit on the floor I can make it to hold 80 gallons.

I also will plug the drains from the over flows that go through the bottom. Then drill two holes out the back of the tank near the top to drain the over flows that way. If I have the holes 6" from the top and the the tank is 6" off the floor, the drains will be 22" off floor. Which will give me the ability to have a sump that sits on the floor that has a usefull depth of 20". Then it is just a matter of how big in width and length I want to get to 80 gallons.

Sound right?

Thanks
Jim Mc

 

[jgleach]

Jim,
Why do you want your 125 gallon to be 6" off the floor? I don't think 12" between the tanks will be enough room....of course, that's just my opinion.

so if your tank is 6" off the floor, there probably isn't any reason to plug the overflows. you can most likely plumb them from under the tank into the side of the sump at whatever height you desire. I think 20" is a good height....and you will then get the durso effect that was stated by whaledriver. Remember....if your bottom tank is 22" plus 6" off the floor, it doesn't matter if your sump is 30".....you will overflow at 28" if you lose power. Having said that, you won't have to worry about any drainage from the lower tank....it will drain at first but as level in the sump and the lower tank equalize, both will fill until the top tank stops draining... hopefully at some level below 28".

Here's a little example:
sump is 48"x16"x28" tall approx. 90 gallons
lower tank is plumbed from all drainage sources at 16" on the sump. (this height is fairly irrelevant except for the fact that you do want some differential level for a driving head for drainage) Now, let's say your normal operating level in the sump is 12". That leaves you with somewhere in the neighborhood of 53 gallons of air space in your sump. Your 300 gallon tank will drain around 10 gallons per inch, so you've got around 5" not counting the volume of the overflows that will drain. I would accept this as a safe margin and as I have said many times in the past, there is only one simple, safe way to figure out your maximum operating level and that is to get everything running with a known safe level in the sump (in this case 12") Once you're sure both display tanks are as full as they're ever going to get, shut off all the pumps, including the skimmer, and let it all settle out. Now you can fill the sump to within an inch or so of the top and start everything back up. Once it stabilizes out, this is your MAXIMUM operating level in the sump....MARK IT ON THE SUMP.....anything higher with ANY pumps running and you run the risk of a flood.

OK...I'm done babbling for now....

 

[svb57]

Jeff,

I really appreciate the input!!!!

Why do you want your 125 gallon to be 6" off the floor? I don't think 12" between the tanks will be enough room....of course, that's just my opinion.
I will need it some what off the floor so I can frame some on the wall side. If I lower this to 3ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ then I will gain this on the space between tanks, giving me 15ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚.

ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¦there is only one simple, safe way to figure out your maximum operating level and that is to get everything running with a known safe level in the sump (in this case 12") Once you're sure both display tanks are as full as they're ever going to get, shut off all the pumps, including the skimmer, and let it all settle out. Now you can fill the sump to within an inch or so of the top and start everything back up. Once it stabilizes out, this is your MAXIMUM operating level in the sump....MARK IT ON THE SUMP.....anything higher with ANY pumps running and you run the risk of a flood.
I agree with this!! I followed this when setting up the 125 the first time.


OK...I'm done babbling for now....
Donââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t stop!!! The advice is welcomed!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks
Jim Mc

 

[jgleach]

I will need it some what off the floor so I can frame some on the wall side. If I lower this to 3ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ then I will gain this on the space between tanks, giving me 15ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚.

I guess it would look kinda funny without any trim on the bottom...perhaps the 6" is the best after all.

Just remember....as long as you have lots of beer, I'm always available to stop by and.......watch you work.....

Jeff

 

[johj26]

if your doing a fish room behind the tanks why dont you do one of the tanks in wall right in fishroom and the other below it outside the fishroom or just set back a little if you get what i mean like a stair effect