How to add volume to a system

[dascharisma]

I am interested in adding some water volume to my system. I don't just want to add a bunch of stock tanks to accomplish what one large plastic tank could accomplish in less space. My problem is I can't decide how best to integrate a large storage container with my current sump setup. Specifically I was wondering how others plumb large storage tanks into their systems. Do you guys avoid tall storage tanks so as to keep from adding a pump to pump the water in to the storage tank? Are long storage tanks a problem because they allow stuff to settle on the long "bottom"? How is the water level regulated in systems with large storage tanks.

Does anyone have any pics of big 300g+ storage tanks plumbed into their systems?


Thanks in advance,
Brad

 

[rayman45]

find room for the extra tank .. drill it and make pipes back to your sump...

then throw a small-med pump in your sump that pumps to the extra tank...

i did this with a 10 gal on my 180 because this was a big as i could fit

 

[nyvp]

I'm adding a 1000 gallon cistern for cooling and added water here is my thread.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=847516

 

[law086]

It's my opinion that once you hit somewhere in the area of 250-300 gallons, you're at the point where you have enough water for things to be very stable. Adding more than that (again IMO) is just asking for a headache. Really, for two reasons - first, humidity from the extra water and second, the extra cost for larger reactors, more salt, etc. I currently have almost as much sump / fuge volume as I have tank volume, but as I look to the next larger tank, I start thinking about how I can move to a smaller sump.

From your sig, it looks like you're already in the 300 gallon area. Why do you feel you need more water?

Ron

 

[nyvp]

quote"law086"


It's my opinion that once you hit somewhere in the area of 250-300 gallons, you're at the point where you have enough water for things to be very stable.
>>>why do you say that? I would think that there is no point that more isn't better. I would agree that the return is less as you get bigger but you cant tell me that a 300 total volume and 1000 total volume react the same
Adding more than that (again IMO) is just asking for a headache.
Really, for two reasons - first, humidity from the extra water and second, the extra cost for larger reactors, more salt, etc.
>>> I don't know if I agree.first if the extra cistern is buried outside in a closed loop you wouldnt have more humidity. ANother question I have is, if my tank is 500g and my recirculating skimmer is processing all the water as it leaves my tank why do I need to skim the poly tanks water? Nothing in the tank is adding ammonia or nitrates. The water is just volume its not adding contaminates.
I know all of this is just your opinion, I just wanted to voice mine

 

[law086]

I never said more isn't better, I said that at a certain point, you're diminishing your returns.

I'm not completely sure I understand your cistern, but if is't truely a closed loop, then it wouldn't be adding volume to your system. A closed loop sucks water out of something and returns it to the same thing. I'm guessing you have it pumped into your sump, which does not make it a closed loop. If you have it plumbed into your sump, the junk from your main tank will get into that water, hence will need to be skimmed, etc and you'd need a skimmer rated for your entire volume. If the cistern is just a CLOSED geothermal loop, then yeah, I agree that I wouldn't worry about that water - but then it's also not adding system volume.

I'm not going to debate the humidity issue too much with you. I'm honestly not sure what the net affect of humidity would be with something buried remotely. I'm sure it'll had some humidity, but maybe not as much as it would if it was completely open in the same room. It's still circulating into your sump just as your main tank would be (which create humidity).

Regarding your skimmer question - I'm sure some junk will get past your skimmer. A skimmer obviously doesn't remove junk as fast as it's feed, so you're still getting crap into your sump and cistern. No way around that.

Ron