*d2mini's new 200g Reeftastic Build*

Looks like a sweet sump. You made some nice changes to the stock LF1-300S. Are you getting a custom "LifeReefugium" as well?

And what are you planning on using for GFO? From what I recall (I'm still waiting on my filter cylinders), Jeff said standard GFO cannot be used (because his cylinders are down flow and not fluidized (you'll end up with a solid mass of GFO)). He recommends a Brightwell product, but I've not read many reviews on the product he sells (Brightwell Extrax Phos).
 
Looks like a sweet sump. You made some nice changes to the stock LF1-300S. Are you getting a custom "LifeReefugium" as well?

And what are you planning on using for GFO? From what I recall (I'm still waiting on my filter cylinders), Jeff said standard GFO cannot be used (because his cylinders are down flow and not fluidized (you'll end up with a solid mass of GFO)). He recommends a Brightwell product, but I've not read many reviews on the product he sells (Brightwell Extrax Phos).

Thanks... and yes... i hear there just may be a sweet little refugium with my name on it too. ;)

Not sure on the GFO. I don't run it often anyway. But I want to have the filter cylinder for it for when I do need it.
I think the stuff from BlueLife would also work since their new "Resinator" filter canisters work pretty much the same way as Jeff's.
 
What do you think of my general return plumbing layout?
Nothing is to scale, it's just a rough sketch.
See any issues?
The plan is to be able to adjust the flow to the UV or bypass it completely.
Plus send the flow through my chiller, plus feed the frag tank, mangrove tank and reactor manifold.

i-nJdxfMt.jpg
 
What do you think of my general return plumbing layout?
Nothing is to scale, it's just a rough sketch.
See any issues?
The plan is to be able to adjust the flow to the UV or bypass it completely.
Plus send the flow through my chiller, plus feed the frag tank, mangrove tank and reactor manifold.

i-nJdxfMt.jpg

Great layout!! That is perfect for bypassing the UV for maintenance purposes. What about the drain/spigot we spoke about? if you do add one, I would add it just below where the chiller line enters the UV. Only thing I am not sure about is having it return directly back into the return line as opposed to having it continue on through it's own dedicated line back to the tank. I say that because I am not sure how the two converging flows will react and whether it will cause turbulence in the line that may impede overall return flow.
 
Great layout!! That is perfect for bypassing the UV for maintenance purposes. Only thing I am not sure about is having it return directly back into the return line as opposed to having it continue on through it's own dedicated line back to the tank. I say that because I am not sure how the two converging flows will react and whether it will cause turbulence in the line that may impede overall return flow.

I see what you are saying. But, the thought was to have most, if not all water going through the UV, so it would have to get back into the return line ASAP in order to feed everything else.
This 80w UV when used for a reef tank requires a flow rate of around 2500-3600 gph for the lower kill rate.

Thoughts?
 
Hehe no problem, I was wondering if I was missing something! Wouldn't want to be without both of those units if one goes tail up.
 
I see what you are saying. But, the thought was to have most, if not all water going through the UV, so it would have to get back into the return line ASAP in order to feed everything else.
This 80w UV when used for a reef tank requires a flow rate of around 2500-3600 gph for the lower kill rate.

Thoughts?

I'd aim for 2400-2500 gph. which is where you will probably be anyway. Heck, I think you could go a little lower. That's about what I am running through my 114w unit.. Maybe even a little less but mine is on a closed loop where as yours is also returning from your fuge so I guess I would probably err on the side of higher flow so as to not nuke copepods too badly.
 
Hehe no problem, I was wondering if I was missing something! Wouldn't want to be without both of those units if one goes tail up.
This is why I post it up! :)
I also have an extra 1" bulkhead in the return section of my sump. I could use that to feed a second, dedicated pump just for the chiller.
That would simplify the plumbing a bit.
Hmmm...

I'd aim for 2400-2500 gph. which is where you will probably be anyway. Heck, I think you could go a little lower. That's about what I am running through my 114w unit.. Maybe even a little less but mine is on a closed loop where as yours is also returning from your fuge so I guess I would probably err on the side of higher flow so as to not nuke copepods too badly.
Yeah, this is kinda what I was thinking.
 
What do you think of my general return plumbing layout?
Nothing is to scale, it's just a rough sketch.
See any issues?
The plan is to be able to adjust the flow to the UV or bypass it completely.
Plus send the flow through my chiller, plus feed the frag tank, mangrove tank and reactor manifold.

i-nJdxfMt.jpg

Where is the skimmer in this equation? Where is it drawing from? I'm not sure I would have the refugium upstream from the skimmer anyway if that is the plan. If anything, I would have the refugium and mangrove tank drain downstream of the skimmer or have those two return directly to the display via a dedicated small pump. Also, if you are feeding the refugium via the return pump, you will want an additional valve above the T fitting that leads to the refugium line to create a little back pressure if needed to divert water. Since that is below the tank level, it will likely not be an issue as it's the path of least resistance but you never know.
 
Ok, i showed you mine... now show me yours, Nina! :D

be careful what you wish for!

when do you expect to have everything up and going? you know, so people like me who are technically challenged and have no freakin' idea what those drawings mean, will be able to see all the pretty fishies? :bounce3:
 
Where is the skimmer in this equation? Where is it drawing from? I'm not sure I would have the refugium upstream from the skimmer anyway if that is the plan. If anything, I would have the refugium and mangrove tank drain downstream of the skimmer or have those two return directly to the display via a dedicated small pump. Also, if you are feeding the refugium via the return pump, you will want an additional valve above the T fitting that leads to the refugium line to create a little back pressure if needed to divert water. Since that is below the tank level, it will likely not be an issue as it's the path of least resistance but you never know.
The skimmer is in the sump pic on the previous page.
The refugium will be fed from the drain area of the sump, or from one of the drains directly. I will decide that once I have the sump and fuge in place.
I was going to have the frag tank and mangrove tank drain into the skimmer section of the sump.

be careful what you wish for!

when do you expect to have everything up and going? you know, so people like me who are technically challenged and have no freakin' idea what those drawings mean, will be able to see all the pretty fishies? :bounce3:
LOL, I won't have the sump until just before Xmas... fingers crossed. Which means I can't plumb until then! But once it arrives, it's on like Donkey Kong. :D
 
ok, I updated the plumbing.
Ran a separate line/pump for the chiller.
What do you think now?
I would just need to decide if it's better to run the chiller back into the sump, or up into the display tank.

i-jq8DnGt.jpg
 
Great looking layout Dennis. I would dump the chiller back into the sump. Sure, it would be ideal if you could take it strait to the DT. But what about when it's not being used. Then the return line you dedicated for it would be idle. That way the flow to the DT stays constant regardless of chiller usage.

Corey
 
ok, I updated the plumbing.
Ran a separate line/pump for the chiller.
What do you think now?
I would just need to decide if it's better to run the chiller back into the sump, or up into the display tank.

i-jq8DnGt.jpg

What are you planning on running for a return pump? I'd ditch the second chiller pump, upgrade to a larger return pump and run the chiller off a manifold or a T on the return line and send the flow back to the sump or display.
My return pump which was originally a Hammerhead Gold but now a Superdart Gold runs my chiller (which is 50' away in my garage and returns to my sump), my GFO reactor (returns to sump), Carbon reactor (returns to sump), my 60 gallon display refugium (also returns to sump) and still has plenty of flow (2500GPH +/-) left for the return to the tank. I'm guessing that some of your thinking is being influenced by the desire to retain a certain amount of flow to the UV unit. Worst case, you can run lower flow through it and run it 12 hours a day as opposed to 24/7. I run mine 12 hours a day during the summer and while it may shorten bulb life a bit, I've never had any ballast failures.
 
Should probably have another ball valve before the UV input otherwise things might get messy when you take it offline!

Yea, I think he just left that valve out of his second drawing by mistake. I use union ball valves above and below my UV. I suggest having a drain spigot below the UV to drain the water from the UV when servicing it.
 
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