Newbie with 92 Gallon Corner Setup

[jllowrey]

Hi All,

My dad has loved having fish tanks his whole life but he never really had the opportunity or know how to set-up a reef tank. I am 23 and just graduated in the field of engineering. As a Christmas gift I thought it would be nice to start a new tank with my father as a hobby we could do together. I am learning a lot by just reading the forms but like everything I do I over analyze things. What is leading me to post this is I understand that the upfront setup of the tank is the most important part and rather than re-configuring it many many times I was looking for some advice because I think with my style of tank things could get complicated.

We recently bought a used 92 gallon bowfront corner tank with a built in overflow.

I was hoping that some members might have some suggestions on popular equipment that will compliment our tank. Keep in mind I understand that the equipment cost up front is quite expensive and I don't mind paying for things that will save me in the long run but I don't necessarily want to empty my entire bank (just most of it). Also any other advice is welcome as I am Newbie :hmm1:

Sump
As many are aware there is not very much space under a 92 gallon corner stand. It looks like popular opinion online is to just use a 20 gallon sump but I know more is better. I have at my home a 20 gallon and a 10 gallon and they fit nicely together under the stand.
The way I see it I have 3 options

1. Split sump/regufium w/ 20 gallon & 10 Gallon (Design ideas?)
2. 20 Gallon sump w/ out of sump skimmer
3. 20 Gallon sump w/ In sump skimmer​

Does anyone have suggestions on skimmer / return pump suggestions?


Lighting:
The only peice of equipment I currently have is a cora-life Metal Halide with two 150 watt lamps. From my understanding LEDs are the wave of the future and to cut down on electric cost it might be in my best interest to upgrade to a LED system. Im thinking I could get by with 1 Aqua-illuminations Hydra if I keep my rocks and coral towards the back of the tank and focus on a smaller area. Thoughts? Keep my Halide for now and upgrade later? or buy LED now?
http://www.amazon.com/AquaIlluminat.../dp/B00DCDN5NQ/ref=cm_cr_pr_bdcrb_top?ie=UTF8

Any other equipment suggestions? Presidents day sales maybe??

I'm sorry for creating a new thread but with my unique tank(discontinued) I haven't been able to find any threads or articles with suggestions on newer equipment.:headwalls:

 

[jllowrey]

+ Pictures

<a href="http://imgur.com/4ZzUHMD"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/4ZzUHMD.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>


<a href="http://imgur.com/54xsPFK"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/54xsPFKl.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

Thanks!!

 

[moondoggy4]

Since space is a premium I would get a skimmer with the pump under the body. Look into the Aqua Maxx EM200, for lighting I would look into Kessil w/ goosecks easy to move around to get just right.

I would just run the light that you have and change to Kessil's if you chose to go Leds.

 

[SaltyDoug]

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1698273
A good place to ask questions about corner tanks

I just started a 92 corner myself a few months ago
The difference Is I'm lucky enough to have it on a wall next to my laundry room so I plumbed it through the wall to get rid of he space issues.

I'm looking at the kessil led lights myself to upgrade too. The cost, natural shimmering of the lights in the tank and the sleek look they have is nice for a no canopy set up.

 

[novadan67]

Welcome!

First off, I am an engineer as well and very much understand your statement, "like everything I do I over analyze things." Must be part of our training, lol!

I think you will appreciate the extra space you will get by utilizing the 2 tanks for a sump... the challenge is how to "link" them together into your system. I was faced with a similar situation when I built my nano and came up with my own solution (click here to see my build). I was doing things on a budget (trying to decide if saltwater was for me)... It's not ideal, but it does work just fine. I think ideally I'd drill both tanks and link with bulkheads. That's what I'd do for a larger system like yours.

I agree with moondoggy about the skimmer with the pump under the body. I'm using a bubble magus curve 5 and like it very much. You want a skimmer rated for at least 2x your tank volume, so a curve 7 might be more appropriate for your tank. I would definitely get an IN-SUMP skimmer as it WILL overflow at some point, better to dump into your sump rather than on the floor!

You don't need to go crazy with your return pump. Most of the flow should be generated by in-tank circulation pumps, which are much more cost/energy efficient. Look at Jebao pumps for in the tank if you are on a budget. Get a good reliable / quiet return pump rated at 5-10x your system (450-850 gph for your system), keeping in mind head height losses.

I run LED lighting and like it very much. In addition to the lower cost of power and replacement bulbs, they are adjustable and run much cooler. No need for a chiller (the heat from halides often make chillers necessary). The downside is that it can take a while to dial them in and some people struggle to get the same results as with halides or t5s. You could always start with your halides and change over later.

Good luck, have fun, and keep the updates / pics coming!!!

 

[jllowrey]

Thanks for all the advice guys I really appreciate it!

I looked into the Kessil LEDs and I really like the flexibility they have to offer, but after some consideration I think it might be best to invest the money I had for LED's to other equipment and hope that I can upgrade down the road.

Looks like the Aqua Maxx EM200 and the bubble magus curve 7 are pretty comparable, can any one speak from experience or knowledge?

I really like the idea of a split fuge and sump BUT
BIG QUESTION...
How will this effect the overall efficiency of the sump and refugium, will they perform as designed? what would the water flow from the overflow to the return pump look like with the two?

I found this post after reading through the Corner tank thread (THANKS SaltyDoug!!!)


Thoughts, comments, concerns??

Haha... Yeah I get around. :lol:

+1

That would be an ideal fix.

In order to get a separated refugium to work, you would need to have it elevated higher than the sump so you can gravity feed it back into the sump. I think in order to accomplish that, you would need to drill a hole to feed plumbing through the center section of your stand, and I'm not sure what that would do to the integrity of the stand. A small PVC sized hole probably wouldn't be that bad though. Here's an example that I used under my 55g... obviously you're under a bit of space constraint, but should give you the basic idea.

You would need to get your electric separated somehow though. The last thing you want is is falling into the fuge. Perhaps if you could build a little stand to raise the fuge in the stand, you could place it underneath.

As far as the sand bed in the fuge. I would skip it all together. In a refugium that small I doubt you'll get any real benefit from it, or enough to notice an impact on your tank. I would just pack it with macro, maybe some LR rubble as well.

Nice thread you've guys got going.

 

[jllowrey]

Also if I do go with a 10 Gallon refugium then I have a 20 gallon sump... what else do I put in there I guess I wouldn't really need the space saving protein skimmers right?

OR

I could make the refugium empty into another smaller refugium in the sump.... OMG so many options :headwally:

 

[novadan67]

When it comes to refugiums, I think bigger = better. I'd use the 20g for the refuguim and put the skimmer, heater, return, etc in the 10g.

 

[Zooxanthus]

I think the most important piece of equipment I have is the RO unit. If you dont start with good water its going to be much harder to maintain. Not sure if you have that or not.

 

[jllowrey]

That brings me back to the water flow problem, Wont the refugium need to flow into the return pump in which case the return pump would need to be on the bottom most tank and in the event of a power failure I cant have a 20 gallon pouring into a 10 gallon.....

Zoo as for the RO Unit, that was going to be my next purchase.... Do I need an RO Unit or RODI unit? Any recommendations?

 

[novadan67]

You will have to put that engineering training to use!

It would be simple to set up the fuge so that very little water drains out when the power is cut.

If you look at your picture, it is taller than the 10g... so if you have it drilled high enough, you wont even have to drill the 10g. You could tee off your return line to supply the fuge, and let it drain back to the return section (this is pretty common). You'll just need a bigger return since you would be diverting some flow. You could also split your drain, but I don't like that as well because more detritus will enter the fuge.

Another possible setup is to elevate the 10g (build a little stand under it) and put your skimmer in there. Drill it and have it drain to the 20g (fuge) and section off a portion for your return. It is a simpler flow pattern, but you lose some fuge space for your return and you don't really need the full 10g for your skimmer... but you could section off maybe 2/3 of the 10g and fill it with RODI water for an ATO setup (which you will want).

Some will say skip the fuge all together and install reactors... but myself, I like a nice big fuge, if possible.

The possibilities are endless really, design it how you like and and what makes sense to you...

 

[jllowrey]

Okay, so this is what I have planned out so far.... Thoughts comments/concerns???? :spin1:

with water.....
<a href="http://imgur.com/uYWPbl2"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/uYWPbl2.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>


without water.....
<a href="http://imgur.com/gr7vqlR"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/gr7vqlR.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>


Refugium - Since its 20 gallons maybe I should split it and create frag tank? Do I need Carbon and media filters? is it nice to have?
<a href="http://imgur.com/BzOMz1M"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/BzOMz1M.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

Sump only - Do I need Carbon and media filters? is it nice to have?
<a href="http://imgur.com/kNIdAtF"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/kNIdAtF.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

 

[novadan67]

Nice drawings! Very well thought out - will be helpful when you go to build it.

My comments... hopefully others will share theirs as well:

1. The split drain idea may cause issues. First, I like the herbie (or bean animal) drain systems (search this forum), and they would be difficult. It's worth setting one of these up as they are silent and bubble-free! Also, you will probably get turbulence (noise + bubbles) at the split point. And finally, it may be difficult to control the amount of flow through the sump vs fuge... valves would work, but are generally not recommended on drain lines. Would be simpler to get a larger return pump and tee that off to supply the fuge.

2. I'd move the bulkhead on the fuge to the left so that the water dumps into the same section as the drain or at least the skimmer section. This way all of the water that exits the main tank will pass by the skimmer.

3. Lower your baffles slightly lower than the top of the tanks. That way if for some reason there is a clog, water can spill over into the next section instead of on the floor.

4. More common than media pads are filter socks. There is much debate whether or not they are needed (search the forum). I think they can be beneficial if kept clean, but that requires some work (clean every couple days). If left neglected they are more harm than good. Will not hurt to plan for them now and decide yes/no about using them later. I currently do not.

5. Carbon and/or GFO work better when run in reactors.

6. I don't see the need for the heater section, I'd remove it and give yourself either more skimmer room or bigger return section so that you have more room for water to drain when the return is shut off (make sure you have enough!!!).

 

[jllowrey]

So I just went down to my local shop and asked one of the employees what he thought about my design, he pointed out that my water should always be hitting my skimmer first. so that kind of throws off my whole design... and maybe its best to avoid the split drain entirely. Thinking about just moving my skimmer to the 20 gallon and basically cutting my refugium in halve. OrI could just avoid the whole two tank design and go with a simple 20 gallon and make life easier. Is the extra refugium space worth the hassle? or I could make it a frag tank?

Good note on the baffles, I think I will skip the carbon entirely but like the idea of a sock if its more common.


Updated Design,,, Thoughts?

<a href="http://imgur.com/N9wjWJ6"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/N9wjWJ6.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

 

[jllowrey]

So heres what is in my shopping cart thus far AquaMaxx EcoMaxx In-Sump Protein Skimmer EM200, Eheim 1260 return Pump, and I want to get 2 power heads for flow, any suggestions?

 

[A sea K]

A couple things to point out as I have a split 20gal sump and 10gal refugium. The 10gal was an added afterthought so it is not set-up exactly as I would prefer but it does work.
Make sure the top of both the sump and fuge are the same level. This will allow the max amount of drainback from the DT in event of power off and will keep either from overflowing. I just put some layers of eggcrate and plywood under the shorter 10gal till both tops were equal. You will need to connect the two with some bulkheads, seeing how mine was an add on to an already running system I coud not do this, instead I used a U-tube to return water from my fuge back to the sump.
Here you can clearly see the siphon and emergency drain going to each compartment and also the U-tube going from the fige back to the sump.

Here is a different angle with the skimmer in place. You can barely the see the skimmer out pipe but it does drain into the fuge.

I run a herbie drain and elected to let the siphon feed my sump (skimmer section) and let the emergency supply the fuge. This does work but it is VERY LOW flow as when tuned properly the emrgency drain just barely has water flowing through it. I solved this problem by directing my skimmer out put to the fuge. It would likely be better to use a larger return pump and tee off that to the fuge, it will also allow you to exactly run however much flow through the fuge you desire with the use of a valve.