Nood needs equipment advice

[fender4string]

I've been researching setting up a 180g FOWLR tank and now need to get into researching equipment (as I've been mainly focused on livestock). Other than the fact that I need a sump and a skimmer I'm kind of lost and could use some information to point me in the right direction.

Sump Questions
1. What size sump do I need?
2. How do I make a sump?
3. Can I include a refugium in a sump or does it have to be seperate?
4. How many GPH should I have flowing through the sump and how is this regulated?

Protein Skimmer Questions
1. What size (in gallons) should the skimmer be rated for?
2. What are some brands I should look into? Would the ASM g3 be ok?
3. What exactly does a skimmer do?

What GPH should my pump be rated?

Anything else that you think I should know regarding equipment (all information is useful): Filters (carbon, phosphate, etc.), overflow

I also posted a similar thread in the equipment forum but haven't had any responses.

Thanks in advance to everyone who answers as I know it's a lot of information to request. Anything you post will be helpful!

 

[fender4string]

Nood=Noob :rollface:

 

[ChrisKirkland]

I would go with at least a 30-55 gallon sump, which you can create baffles that will separate the chambers creating an intake, refuge., and the return sections.. To bee safe I would go with a skimmer that is rated at least 1.5x-2x your tank- so a 220 gallon skimmer will work fine. ASM 3g would be fine, or the euro reef skimmers. A skimmer separates the organic waste from the water using micro bubbles to "float" (if you will) the wast to the collection cup.

 

[fender4string]

ok thanks-that gives me some good base knowledge to start with. About the baffles, does it matter how far apart they are?

 

[fender4string]

having just noticed the newbie threads at the top (cough ********* cough) I've found a lot of answers to my questions......anyway- all input is still welcome and helpful

 

[ljosh]

I think everyone should have a a couple of reactors like two little fishies phosban reactors. One for carbon and one for gfo media.

 

[fender4string]

ok a questions about reactors. First what is gfo? Second if i were to buy say, a phosphate and carbon reactor, how do i use these? Do i just incorporate them in the same stream of water that's filtered by my RO/DI unit? The reactors would probably be placed after the water is filtered through the RO/DI correct?

 

[Playa-1]

Sump Questions
1. What size sump do I need?
You should use the largest sump/fuge that will fit into your space that you have allotted for the sump/fuge. The bigger the better is the idea.

2. How do I make a sump?
You have lots of options. Since the sump is usually out of sight storing equipment and adding extra water volume, It doesn't have to be pretty. A good inexpensive way to go, is to find a used aquarium somewhere that will fit into the space that you have for a sump/fuge. I'm oversimplifying a bit, but just have some baffles cut to size and use the appropriate adhesive technique to glue the baffles into place. Check out the DIY section of www.melevsreef.com

3. Can I include a refugium in a sump or does it have to be separate?
As long as you get a container large enough, you can easily section off part of it for a fuge.

4. How many GPH should I have flowing through the sump and how is this regulated?
Your going to want roughly 5x your display tank volume going thru the sump in an hour. You can use a ball valve between the return pump and the display tank to help regulate the pump output. You also need to give consideration to the correct size of pump for your system. A little research on your part and using the headloss calculator on the home page will help you figure out what is the best pump size for your situation. You will also need additional circulation in the display tank. You should research powerheads and closed loop circulation systems. Your total tank circulation need to be roughly 20x turnover. So if you already have 5x turnover going thru the sump then you need an additional 15x turnover from powerheads and/or a closed loop system. Keep in mind these are rough guidelines.



Protein Skimmer Questions
1. What size (in gallons) should the skimmer be rated for?
In most cases you want a Skimmer that is rated a little higher then your total volume of water in your system. So If you have a 180gal tank and a 100gal sump/fuge then you may want a skimmer rated for at least 280 to 300 gal and would be better off by moving up to a skimmer rated for about 350gal. Keep in mind that many of the skimmer ratings are over optimistic from the manufacturers.

2. What are some brands I should look into? Would the ASM g3 be ok?
I like Euro-Reef, Octopus, and ASM skimmers and would likely stick to one of those brands. There are some higher end units out there too that are good but require digging deep into your pocket.

3. What exactly does a skimmer do?
A good skimmer helps to remove waste from the water before it has a chance to breakdown and enter the nitrogen cycle.


The best advice I can give you is to pick up a copy of "The Conscientious Marine Aquarist" by Robert M. Fenner and read it.
It's the best investment you will make in the hobby. I would do that before you go any further.

 

[Skeptic_07]

what playa-1 said. allof that is great advice.

If you want a quicker, easier book to read you might try "the new marine aquarium" by paletta. Its a great book to help get the basics down. The Conscientious Marine Aquarist" by Robert M. Fenner is also a great book as playa said. Also "reef secrets" by nilssen and fossa is great.

 

[fender4string]

thanks alot playa and skeptic-I really appreciate the advice (it was extremely helpful) and I'll be making a trip to borders fairly soon