Remote storage tank/RDSB

[DaveMorris]

I am thinking about burying a 275g storage tank in my backyard and plumbing it into my system. Two reasons I want to do this:
1. Added water volume.
2. Temp control.

I currently have a 300g display tank, 60g refugium, and a 50g sump. The sump and fuge are outside in a Tuff Shed (my Man Hut) and the plumbing aspect of this added tank would be very simple to do. Anybody have any recommendations here? I live 8 miles inland in San Diego. Average temp where I live is about 78 - 80 degrees.

I am also curious if I would benefit from putting about 15" of sand in the tank to act as a RDSB. The footprint of the tank is 48" x 48".

What do you think? Am I nuts? Is it worth digging a big hole in the ground? I have the room for it and I can get the tank very cheap. Any input will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Zedar]

If I could, I would do it. I have a 55 gallon drum next to my sump. It's just for added water volume.

I didnt add sand, its bare bottom. Because its low flow in the drum (no pump) it acts like a settling tank.
Once a week I drop a mag9 in the drum and add a sock to the effluent. I get quite a bit of detritus in the sock.
If there was sand in there all that gunk would still be in my system. OUCH!!!
If you want a deep sand bed, do the DSB in a 5 gallon bucket. That method doesnt collect detritus due to the flow rate across the sand. To achieve that kind of flow in a 275 gallon drum would be a waste of electricity. IMHO

The 55 gallon drum in my system is plumbed to the drain line of the overflow, theres a tee with a ball valve that splits it between the skimmer. Its gravity fed and most of the water goes to the skimmer with the remainder going to the drum. This is why So much gunk collects there, its the lowest flow area in my system.

Digging a hole would be good exercise