Help with return pump for my 125

[ludiNano]

Hello all, im starting to put together my 125 in-wall build while i finish my basement, i plan on having my 125 drilled, 100g rubbermaid stock tank, with 40g refugium and 40g frag tank. 305g est.

I want to feed my skimmer directly from my overflow and not have a separate pump for it. This will be the main thing that will determine which return pump i go with. Ive been recomened to do so by Mr. wilson( RC member) to get max filtration out of the skimmer. From my understanding you dont want excess water bypassing skimmer wether its an external or internal.

Im going to go with a Bullet 3 Protein Skimmer by Precision Marine. The product manual recomends either panworld 100px, 150ps, or 200ps. I would think since the bullet 3 is rated up to 400g i wouldnt need a 200ps but im not sure which to go with?

Im also looking at getting my overflows from here http://www.barraquatic.com/overflows.php which will depend on how much flow i get from the return i go with.

I also have questions on how to go about having returns enter though drilled holes in lower back of tank. Ive done the tube over the top of the tank with a siphon brake on the bottom of tube after it curls around top of tank. I hate tubes over the top like that. I want a cleaner look and would like to put more distance inbetween my return and overflow.

Im just not sure how to put a siphon break in plumbing that will be so low on tank. im sure there are check valves for larger plumbing but is that enough of a safety feature?

Thank you for taking the time to read this, i hope it makes sense my head hurts now.

 

[apjohnson]

First of all, posting on www.iowareefs.com is going to get you more responses as most people look there instead of here.

I believe the Bullet 3 skimmer is a Beckett style skimmer and requires a pressure rated pump to run it. You really need a dedicated feed pump for this skimmer...I don't believe there's a way around that. Gravity will simply not provide you with the amount of pressure this skimmer will require. If you want to feed your skimmer via gravity, use a pinwheel style skimmer and you'll be much more successful. I have a pinwheel style recirculating skimmer and mine is gravity fed.

Also, when calculating your total water volume, remember, it's water volume, not water capacity. While you may have the capacity for 305 gallons, by the time you put in rock, sand, and account for the fact that your 100 gal sump may only be 1/2 to 2/3 full, you're really looking at more like 250 gallons or less. This may not be important when you're trying to figure out the size of skimmer to buy, but it will be when you're calculating the amount of things like GFO, calcium and/or alkalinity additives, etc.

If you're looking at overflow boxes, check out www.glass-holes.com as they have some as well.

Check valves are not recommended by most as they will fail. Remember that water will drain down as far as your anti-siphon holes (which you should remember to clean regularly) so they should be high in the tank. It doesn't really matter how low in the tank you put your holes for the return as long as your bulkheads and plumbing inside the tank stays intact. If either fails, then you're screwed if you put the bulkheads near the bottom of the tank. For that reason, I would put them as near to the water surface as possible.

Good luck with everything!

--AJ

 

[ludiNano]

Thank you for reply I had started thinking about pressure needed for skimmed after I posted, i understand the displacement of water hence est. 305 and refuge and drag tank not set in stone yet. I am going with the overflows I posted I've used them in the past and hate overflows that go to the bottom of tank. I have this posted elsewhere too I'm not going to rely just on Iowa minds for my tank.

 

[apjohnson]

Well, I was just trying to help. Take it for what it's worth.

--AJ

 

[ludiNano]

I wasn't tryin to b an ***. I appreciate your comments.

 

[ludiNano]

I did look at your glass holes link. I really like the plumbing kit that comes with the barr system tho.

 

[ludiNano]

Ok will i will be going with the blueline 70HD to feed the skimmer, im still looking for pump for return i would like to match the flow rate going to skimmer.

Are could i use another blueline 70hd for that?

I also found a great link to an overflow system i plan to go with. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1310585

Hopefully i will be done with main part of basement this week and can start on fishroom in a few weeks. My stock tank should be in next week. And im ordering my skimmer tuesday.