new hobby

[reefraj]

Hello everybody,
I am ne wto this hobby. Have been reading through this message board for the last few weeks. I have changed my mind several times on the initial settings.

I just have my 75 G on order. Few things if you'll could resolve.
Which skimmer do you suggest ? an ASM GII or a Corallife superskimmer ? Can we use the return pump which comes with them alone or do I need to buy more powerful return ?

Can I use a quality plastic container as a sump for now ? I am planning to attach a microbag filter to the inflow into the sump and the skimmer and back. No refugium at this time.

Also How can I make sure the sump wont overflow if the electricity shuts down ?

Thank a lot in advance

 

[Indermark]

Research into the skimmers more like you are with the hobby. I would so no on the Corallife skimmer buts that is just IMO. I don't really understand the return pump question. You can use the pump that comes with the skimmer which should work just fine. Some skimmers you can mod with newer and better pumps to get more crap out. I would use glass for a sump one of those rubbermaid containers that people use for horses to drink out of. I can't think of what they are called. The last question you have is not that difficult. You have to compensate for all the water running to your tank and any that will come back down the tubes from the water leveling off in the tank. Hope that makes sense its kinda hard to explain.

Ryan

 

[Shagsbeard]

With a large enough sump, you wont have to worry about flooding from power outage. When I turn my power off, about 5 gallons of water drains from my tank into the sump. There's plenty of room in my sump for that extra 5 gal. What can cause a flood is blocking the drain and emptying my sump into my tank... it can't handle much more than an additional 3-5 gal. But even so, there would only be about 3-5 gals pumped out before the return pump was exposed and overheated.

On the subject of skimmers... the pump on a skimmer isn't your return pump... it's just a pump that pushes water through your skimmer, and the ones that come with the skimmer are usually fine. I have the Coralife 125 on my 75 gal and it works great. If it were two inches shorter I would be much happier with it though. Make sure what skimmer you decide on fits in the space you want it to fit in before you buy it.

A food quality plastic container works fine for a sump. Some get brittle fairly quickly though. Make sure there's no metal hinges on them.

 

[techigirl78]

We use plastic containers with no problems. Make sure they are more heavy duty so that they don't bow. Also, make sure they don't have any "feet" on the bottom as this can also cause problems.

Use this to ensure enough room is provided in the sump when power goes out: http://www.reefcentral.com/calc/sump.php

 

[reefraj]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9279964#post9279964 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by techigirl78
We use plastic containers with no problems. Make sure they are more heavy duty so that they don't bow. Also, make sure they don't have any "feet" on the bottom as this can also cause problems.

Use this to ensure enough room is provided in the sump when power goes out: http://www.reefcentral.com/calc/sump.php

I am sorry what do u mean by feet ?

 

[reefraj]

Thank you all for the prompt reply

 

[luke33]

I use plastic containers for my sump and fuge, they bow a bit but oh well, they work great otherwise. If it were between the coralife and the asm, i'd definately go with the asm, much better imo.

 

[techigirl78]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9280245#post9280245 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefraj
I am sorry what do u mean by feet ?

The bottom is not completely flat. I.E. The container sits on small supports attached to the bottom that can give out under the weight.

 

[reefraj]

Just want to make sure. Is it ok to use heaters with this rubbermaid sumps ?

 

[techigirl78]

Yes, just get one that is not hot to the touch.

 

[reefraj]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9467035#post9467035 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by techigirl78
Yes, just get one that is not hot to the touch.

I already got a Jager. Planning to get a visitherm stelth. Do you know whether they are ok or is there anything else you would suggest ?

Rajesh

 

[techigirl78]

We have some older Jagers and they are fine. I'm not sure about the stelth.

 

[reefraj]

Thank you