My New Tank!!!

[TotalKhaos]

Measures 60"x18"x24" also has a corner overflow. Thanks to the gentleman I bought the tank from for taking the time and trouble to deliver it right to my door!

I'll need some help from all to set this tank up properly. I will need anin sump skimmer and proper plumbing and pumps.

Your help choosing my next purchases is so very important as I've never setup a sump before nor done any plumbing and am clueless.

In summary: WOOT WOOT!!! I'm Back in the Game, Baby!!

 

[wombat2]

Wow. Nice stand/canopy combo. Jealous!

 

[wombat2]

BTW having a drilled overflow will make your life much much easier. The sump will be a snap to setup.

 

[TotalKhaos]

I suppose I'll share this picture as well. My Husband certainly got a kick out of it.

 

[TotalKhaos]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6609122#post6609122 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wombat2
BTW having a drilled overflow will make your life much much easier. The sump will be a snap to setup.

A snap for who??? :lol:

I guess my main concern is picking out the right pumps. I've done things wrong the first time and paid for it, I want it right this time.

 

[TotalKhaos]

Things I need and/or need guidance in purchasing:

-Pumps for overflow/sump (HELP)

-In Sump Skimmer (HELP)

-Roughly 90 lbs of Sand (I have 30 already)

-Lots of Live and Base Rock

-Heater

-VHO's to compliment my Halides (Maybe)

If It Matters I plan on Using a 20g aga I have for the sump.

 

[wombat2]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6609144#post6609144 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TotalKhaos
A snap for who??? :lol:

I guess my main concern is picking out the right pumps. I've done things wrong the first time and paid for it, I want it right this time.

My advice is to have two small external return pumps plugged into different circuits.

Why two? Easy. One will fail eventually, or a circuit will get blown, or one will not restart after a power outage when you're not there. It may take 4 or 5 years, but it will happen. I do the same with heaters. Two smaller sized ones in case either should fail in the on or off position. If you do go with one return pump I strongly suggest keeping a back up in storage that can be swapped out at a moment's notice. Pumps have a habit of always failing at 3 am or when you're about to walk out the door to work, and never when it is convenient to make a trip down to the LFS.

Why small ones? Well, it saves energy, reduces heat, and less water going through your sump=less noise. I prefer to create the water movement in the main tank with closed loops and/or powerheads. The amount of water going through your sump should be enough to keep your skimmer and heater running efficiently, and no more. This usually amounts to about 6 times the system volume per hour or so.

Why external? Well, that's just a preference of mine. It frees up space in the sump and reduces heat, and swapping out or cleaning a pump is infinitely easier. But submersibles work fine too and are usually a tad cheaper. YMMV.

 

[wombat2]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6609293#post6609293 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TotalKhaos
Things I need and/or need guidance in purchasing:

-Pumps for overflow/sump (HELP)

See above.

-In Sump Skimmer (HELP)

I'm a big fan of Euro-Reef and ETS skimmers. Euro-Reef has a recirculating version now that I haven't tried but looks very nice. There are tons of different brands now that work just as well, and I'm sure others will chime in. Deltec, ASM, etc.

-Roughly 90 lbs of Sand (I have 30 already)

-Lots of Live and Base Rock

Perfect weather to order LR right now. I have bought from www.premiumaquatics.com in the past. Great rock.

-Heater

See above.

-VHO's to compliment my Halides (Maybe)

Why? For different colors? MHs should be perfectly suitable on their own.

If It Matters I plan on Using a 20g aga I have for the sump.

Should be fine although it's a tad on the small side. Just make sure you can fit everything in!

 

[TotalKhaos]

Correct me if I'm wrong please.

ok 6 times the systems volume is about 700. So I will need to select 2 pumps that will provide roughly 700gph flow after allowing for head loss?

Stupid Question:

will the line in from the overflow need a pump the same size? There wont be any head loss, so I would think the line in from the overflow would out perform the return pump.

 

[wombat2]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6609435#post6609435 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TotalKhaos
Correct me if I'm wrong please.

ok 6 times the systems volume is about 700. So I will need to select 2 pumps that will provide roughly 700gph flow after allowing for head loss?

That's exactly what I would do. Or two that do 700, and keep one in your closet. Depends on how complex you want your plumbing to get.

Stupid Question:

will the line in from the overflow need a pump the same size? There wont be any head loss, so I would think the line in from the overflow would out perform the return pump.

I don't understand. The drain from the overflow works by gravity. You don't pump the water down to the sump. You should only need the return pump/s to make the water flow through the sump correctly.

 

[wombat2]

Can you snap a pic of the inside of your overflow box? Then, a shot of what is coming out the bottom of the overflow beneath the tank? I'm curious how he had it set up.

 

[TotalKhaos]

Told You it was a stupid question - I'm Just really dont know anything about plumbing yet. Thanks for being patient with me.

Going through all my pumps I have laying around - most powerful thing I have is a rio 1700 - I doubt that'll help. lol

Here is a picture of the inside of the overflow, top down.

Here is a Picture from under the tank. The pipe's opening is 1.5" I believe.

 

[Marc Daniels]

Nice looking setup.

 

[wombat2]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6609628#post6609628 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TotalKhaos
Told You it was a stupid question - I'm Just really dont know anything about plumbing yet. Thanks for being patient with me.

Going through all my pumps I have laying around - most powerful thing I have is a rio 1700 - I doubt that'll help. lol

Here is a picture of the inside of the overflow, top down.

Here is a Picture from under the tank. The pipe's opening is 1.5" I believe.

Ah, okay. Just a bare overflow with a bulkhead. So, as water gets pumped up to the main tank from the sump, the overflow will only 'catch' or drain as much as it pumps. As long as your overflow can drain more flow than your pumps are capable of producing, everything will be 'good in the hood'. With a 1.5" or even 1" bulkhead the flow rates we are talking will be just fine.

So, about your overflow situation. You'll want to install plumbing a) inside the overflow, as well as b) a drain to your sump.

a) http://www.dursostandpipes.com/ This should be pretty self explanatory. Cheap, easy, noiseless godsend. Rich Durso is the man.

b) You'll want to plumb a drain line down to your sump. It should have as few bends or elbows as possible. I prefer just having a straight shot down to the sump. Make sure you glue any pipe/teflon tape any threads to prevent leaking.

 

[wombat2]

You should also start thinking now about how your return pump plumbing will get back up to the main tank, and possibly drilling your tank for a closed loop intake if you want to go that route.

 

[TotalKhaos]

The Drain to the sump will be a strait shot down, no problem.

In the picture from the link you sent me it looks like a very simple thing. Just run to Home Depot and Get some PVC! Certainly something I can accomplish without to much trouble.

For the Return I figured I'd Use a simple hose fitted with some pvc sorta like this:

I know it isnt the prettiest thing around but I could use Black PVC so it blends better with the black background. Plus I want to keep this as inexpensive as possible so I can better afford the fun stuff.

With that being said is a 700gph return going to do the trick?

 

[Reefugee]

Total -

I wouldn't use the clear vinyl tube that you have. Light can enter the tube and you will start having algae growth inside of them. When I used clear vinyl, I had to constantly take it apart and clean it. I recommend using just plain ole PVC pipe or the flex PVC. Personally - if it was me, I'd use rigid PVC because I don't know if I trust something flexible hanging over the back and not falling out.

I think a 20G is a little small for a sump/refugium. For that size of a tank, I would have gone with a 40 gallon sump/fuge.

As Matt suggested, do a closed loop system. I would use a Sequence Dart as the pump (nice and quiet). Rich (the Prez) had his closed loop system drilled into the bottom. I would have done that but my tank is tempered at the bottom. You can do a HOB CL.

Skimmer - go with a EuroReef. If that's too much, get an ASM. Buy a used one and save some $$$.

Live Rock - someone mentioned that Paradise has nice rock. Also check John at yourreef.com . Last - check with reefers going out of the hobby. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=752626 (although I didn't think his LR look all that great.)

 

[wombat2]

Another option is to just spraypaint the outside of that hose black where it might get hit with light.

 

[TotalKhaos]

I'll see what I can find at Home Depot. I'll aviod anything clear. But I sorta like Matt's Idea - I'm a big fan of cutting corners to keep it cheap!

Another option is to just spraypaint the outside of that hose black where it might get hit with light.

I'm restricted on My Sump size. The Tank can be no more then 12 inches deep to fit comfortably in the stand. The 20g I have fits perfect. I may still get something bigger If I find something cheap that will fit. I cant afford to spend money on those overpriced 'acrylic boxes' at the LFS.

As far as a Skimmer goes. I'm hoping to find something used. I plan to go ahead and start cycling without the skimmer if I have to and add the skimmer just as soon as I can find a good deal on a nice one. Diligent water changes should buy me some time to find the right skimmer.

Rock: I have about 30 lbs right now and plan to pay John at Yourreef a visit soon. Hoping to get a good chunk of my rock from him then I can slowly get more as I find interesting pieces that will fit my display well. A Place Nearby sells some interesting shaped Base rock for 99 cents per lb - I'll likely stock up from him as well.

As much as I'd Like to Get everything I want right now, The Constraints of My Start Up Budget must be followed. *Pout Pout* :lol:

 

[TotalKhaos]

How Does a Mag-Drive 9.5 Sound? Price is Good, specs seem about right.

Edit/Add:

I see John at Yourreef.com carries Mag-Drive pumps for a pretty good price. And I'll be needing some of his Rock and a extra heater as well. So If Y'all Think the Mag Drive 9.5 is a good Choice for me I'll just kill 3 birds with one stone when I go to Johns.