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redhawk44cb

redhawk44cb

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Hey guys, I'm about to start my first SW tank (29g). I was referred here by Nick, and I am in the process of gathering info and ideas to begin. I'm taking it very slowly, and I plan on analyzing all additions thoroughly before I jump in. Any tips and advice will be welcome.

For starters, I am going to build a sump. I was thinking about this one http://www.melevsreef.com/sump.html Has anyone tried a weir like this one? Any thoughts?
 
Hey Redhawk. Welcome to the forum. I haven't tried a Weir before but i've been thinking about playing around and making one. I think the weir's would be safer than the "U" tube's because you're getting a larger surace that water's drawing in from. Now since you haven't started the tank yet why not drill it for an internal overflow? And if you need sump building advice (acrylic) I think me and Richard (Rendos) could trouble-shoot just about anything.
 
What's up bshu. I'm Evan's cousin, and looking at the sump system you built for him is what got me started thinking about it. The only reason I am thinking about the weir instead is the fact the the view will be almost completely unobstructed as opposed to an internal overflow (not that i'm completely opposed to the idea).
 
Well, an internal overflow doesn't have to go from top to bottom. You can simply drill a hole in the upper back pane and silicone a small overflow where your weir might go. You can get creative with hiding them with LR or glue encrusting corals to them and in a couple of months (depending on growth rate etc) it'll blend right in. I've been gluing pieces to my back glass and overflow to blend it all in. If I could get my regal tang to quit picking there might be a lot more coverage.
 
first off welcome, hope to see you at the meeting saturday. also you should consider very very heavily on drilling that tank. we ran a u tube for months without an issue, but then one day the tank was overflowing. we tried re-priming it 20 times, we cleaned it as if it was brand new and it never worked correctly again. a weir seems like a better choice, but me and barrett just built my new drilled 75 and ill never go back. the only way it can fail is if gravity fails. if that day ever comes we'll have larger problems than fish tanks :) dustin (boofer) here in the forum has some bits and a drill. maybe for a slight fee he could hook you up if his schedule permits. also talking to barrett about a sump would be a great choice. im the proud owner of a 30-40 gallon "barretbuilt" sump with one monster of a refugium and it looks better than any store bought. i guess ill end all my rambling with a good luck, looking forward to meeting you, and have fun!<~~steve
 
Well, I was thinking that a weir might solve the problems associated with a u-tube, but now that you mention it, it's just an improvement on the same principal, isn't it? I've seen how a u-tube can go wrong, and an improvment on an inferior idea is still an inferior idea. I know that an overflow system, if properly proportioned, cannot fail, so I guess I'll probably go with my first instinct and drill the SOB.

By the way, I'd love to go to the meeting, but I work absolutely EVERY Saturday, so I'll get most of my correspondence through here and through Nick.
Thanks guys!
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6972728#post6972728 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by redhawk44cb
\ I've seen how a u-tube can go wrong, and an improvment on an inferior idea is still an inferior idea.
Thanks guys!
Click to expand...
well said colin, youll be happier long run. also something interesting i found out. the overflow doesnt have to be perfectly matched to the return pump. hypathetically a drain will only drain as fast as a certain matter is pushed into it i.e a 1500 gph overflow will drain 600 gph just fine if a 600 gph return pump is used. the only time you get into trouble is if that before mentioned 1500gph overflow is trying to keep up with a 2000gph return pump. thats when you either have a dry sump or a overflowing aqaurium. i think people over emphasize matching flow rates on pumps/ overflows. most people max them out from what ive seen and then there sump looks like a class 5 rapid zone on a river which defeats the purpose of the sump/fuge. it also sounds like a flushing toilet. i have a durso on a 1" bulkhead and i understand it can run 1000 gph. my return pump does 450 with head loss and i couldnt be happier with the water velocity through my sump. i use seio 1500's for actual flow in the tank. HTH<~~steve
 
btw colin you have pm. also craig (the reef down under) you have pm as well sir if you happen to fall upon this thread. sorry to hijack.....back on track :) <~~steve
 
That one on melvesreef is just a copy of CPRs C-siphon.

Most problems one runs into with siphon style overflows is that the pump is not matched to the siphon size.

Too big a pump and it overflows.
Too little a pump and the flow rate is so slow that air bubbles trap inside at the top because the flow is not enough to carry them through and it eventually creates a air block and stops the siphon and the tank overflows.

You also have to keep the tubes clean and free of algae as any build-up will slow the flow.

A LOT of people use them but they are not without their problems.

You also need to balance the sump in a way that is not required with a drilled tank. Should the siphon stop you must have the water level set so the return pumps stops returning water before it floods the tank.
 
Welcome Colin. I was wondering when you were going to catch the "bug"!! After doing away with the kink in my return hose from the sump, I have had absolutely no problems. Dave gave me great advice in saying that the return pump was apparently not strong enough. It is great not having to worry about an overflow everytime I go to work. You need to come and check out my tank. Lots of changes since you last saw it 8 months ago, as well as the addition of two more. Maybe you will get to come to some of the meetings in Jackson. Again welcome. Nick's Mom
 
Hey reefdiver, your tank was gorgeous when I last saw it, and from what I hear, it is more impressive now.

Also, should I consider building the overflow box and fuge myself, or hire someone out to do it?
 
Change of plans. I have just gained access to a 55g and figured why not. That changes up the sump/fuge plans and the flow and lighting hardware, but will give me the opportunity for greater diversity. I need people's thoughts on a 2 x 150w 14k system for a 55g tank as opposed to a 2 x 250w system. I've got a pretty good handle on my sump/fuge plans, but I'll need advice (Barrett). Also, I need my tank drilled and I need an overflow box (Richard).
 
Oh, yeah. How many times per hour should I be turning the tank over through the overflow? It will not be my main source of flow.
 
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