adding a sump need advice

[46bfinGA]

so ive had my first saltwater tank for about a year now.a 46 bowfront. im going to be using 2- 55 gal tank as a sump in my basement.should i be concerned about adding that much volume to my tank at one time.i know to make the water the same salinity and temp.,is there anything else i should do first before i turn on the pump.im hoping that this will be a positive thing for my tank.i got a hang on refugium for my tank a few months back and started dripping limewater in my tank .its made quite a difference.not to mention getting rid of my prizm skimmer.ive made that a shrine in my garage.happy reefing guys.thanks for the advice.

 

[coralfarmer84]

thats a big sump for your size tank. It won't be a problem thou. Sounds like you should be fine, just be sure that you set the return pump up in such a way that if the overflow ever fails you don't overflow your main display and ruin your floors.

 

[46bfinGA]

ok yeh thats how my 120 is set up.its right under the tank though.so i was a little concerned with the distance between the tanks.around 10-12 feet.on the 120 i drilled a little hole on my returns for the syphon break.seems to work like a charm.how big of a return pump would you guys use?it would be for return only?unless i could get rid of those powerheads at the same time.that would be nice.

 

[Airman]

Instead of adding 110 gallons to your system all at once. Why not do it 30 gallons at a time. Wait a week or two before you add the next 30 gallons. That should be less of a shock to your system.

 

[46bfinGA]

i was thinking of that.but the way the two tanks will be plumbed together ,i couldnt figure out how to do it without being a major pain.im open to suggestions.

 

[Airman]

Should not be a problem.

 

[Spuds725]

Drill one and elevate it slightly over the other??

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=603816

Since its going to be in a basement have you considered the big plastic tanks (I forget what they are called)-- they are sold at farm supply stores...

here is a setup...

 

[46bfinGA]

it would be nice.is that overkill for my tank?i think it would actually be easier using the plastic tubs then the glass tanks that i have now.i havent drilled the tanks i have yet.one is set up with baffles allready though.i could sell them i guess.maybe ill go with two 100 gallon tubs then.thell be in my crawlspace under my house with a concrete slab.only around 5 foot in there.so i could only lift one maybe two feet at the most.

 

[46bfinGA]

also on a tank my size should i use a single overflow or a double?i have a double lifereef on my 120 tank.it works well.

 

[46bfinGA]

bump

 

[46bfinGA]

bump

 

[carlisimo1969]

I made a sump/refuge out of a 75 AGA this summer and put it in my basement for my 55 gal reef in the living room above. Hooked it up and more than doubled the water volume...worked out great. I'm using submerged mag24 pump and a double u-tube overflow rated for 1200 gal/hr running at max capacity and it works great. I route the extra flow from the pump back into the sump.