Plumbing question,

[citytee]

I'm setting up a 75gal DT with a 40gal sump (saltwater).
I'm looking at using an underground filter with CC, on one side and (using a partition to keep the sand in) sand on the other (no underground filter on this side). The tank is not drilled so I will set up two siphon drains (both 1" pvc) one will be connected to the underground filter to pull water through the filter, I will drill holes 1" below the water line to brake the siphon in case of power outage, the other will be at the surface for skimming. In the sump we have, a protein skimmer (150gph) a 900gph pump there will be a fuge with a DSB. The return is in the middle along with two 300w heaters, the skimmer on the left and the fuge on the right. Oh and three 1350gph power heads up in the DT. How's it sound am I missing anything what do yall think??

 

[uncleof6]

I'm setting up a 75gal DT with a 40gal sump (saltwater).

I really don't know where to start...

I'm looking at using an underground filter with CC, on one side and (using a partition to keep the sand in) sand on the other (no underground filter on this side).

Undergravel filters went out a very long time ago. The methodology is used in a limited manner, most of the time temporary, for the start up of plenum systems, used in conjunction with a deep sand bed (critter based,) and covers the entire bottom of the tank, you don't want to be using partitions. CC is too corse of a grain size, and becomes polluted very quickly. (See Jaubert plenum system, and GARF.ORG...)

The tank is not drilled so I will set up two siphon drains (both 1" pvc) one will be connected to the underground filter to pull water through the filter, I will drill holes 1" below the water line to brake the siphon in case of power outage, the other will be at the surface for skimming.

Well, anti-siphon holes or not, it is very unwise to run a drain intake all the way to the bottom of the tank. Sooner or later the entire volume of water in the tank will be on your floor. It is also very unwise to run a siphon drain, without a DRY emergency backup. Same results: water all over your floor. Your 1" drain for surface skimming will provide next to no surface skimming, it is far too small in linear length, and since it will suck air, the flow capacity will be useless...

You have a blank canvas tank (no holes,) if it is not tempered, have it drilled (study first however) and save yourself a great many headaches.

In the sump we have, a protein skimmer (150gph) a 900gph pump there will be a fuge with a DSB. The return is in the middle along with two 300w heaters, the skimmer on the left and the fuge on the right. Oh and three 1350gph power heads up in the DT. How's it sound am I missing anything what do yall think??

I would advise you run a remote DSB (in a 5 gallon bucket) on a loop off the sump. See Bucket DSB, and don't start it up until the system is a good three months old. Just run enough fine sand in the DT to make it look ok...the methodology for more than that, takes several months on its own, before adding any life other than seeding the bed.

I advise you do some reading on drain systems e.g. what really works and what does not, and the safety precautions with siphons; as well as a good deal of informaton in Bean Animals thread, and the "herbie" if you want another option.

Can you run a reef type tank on an undergravel filter? Certainly, but you are not going to have much fun with it; plenum systems are excellent, if you know what you are doing as well. Takes time to learn, but it would be best to learn before you jump in...

 

[citytee]

Ok sounds good, ill keep reserching and not planning on any live stock until at least spring or more then likely early summer, thanks for the tips..