The planned setup...so far.

[jlpropst00]

OK here is a pic of the planned setup. This is a very rough drawing and obviously not scale. Where I guess I'm having the most trouble is size of the plumbing. I was thinking 1" drain 3/4" return. I would also like to run any reactors off my return pump if that's possible. I've done a lot a reading on this but I still have doubts. So all questions, comments, cries of outrage are welcome. Thanks!

 

[BassandReef]

I have always heard that the fuge should be before the skimmer in order to take advantage of any nutrients in the water. The skimmer is designed to remove those nutrients and therefore any life in the fuge would be deprived of it. My fuge is in the first chamber. Then my skimmer and then the return pump.

I also strongly suggest the use of a Durso standpipe. This type of drain is relatively quiet and prevents my tank from ever overflowing. By adjusting the pipe and my return line. I balanced my water level so that the suction breaks before my sump could ever overflow.

I made my own Durso from the instructions on this website:

http://www.dursostandpipes.com/make-your-own-diy

I don't quite understand the purpose of a backup drain line but that is your call.

Good luck!!


Just my opinion.

 

[jlpropst00]

I thought about putting the fuge first or running a line off the drain that fed the fuge. I will look into that further. A far as the backup drain, it's because the herbie style creates a complete syphon (which is why it's silent). So if it were to ever clog there is a back up. I'll look into the durso though.
Thanks, Carl.

 

[OneReef]

Just a question about the check valve and what it does. I have heard never to use check valves on a reef tank, as they will eventually fail. What does this one do on your return line?

 

[jlpropst00]

The idea with the check valve was that if the lok-line ever got knocked below the level of the bulkhead and there was a power failure it would not flood the sump. I was just trying to cover my butt but my heart isn't set on using it.

 

[OneReef]

Some people will drill a small hole on the underside of the locline. That way you have two chances at a siphon break on power failure. One at the end of the locline nozzle, which should be near the surface, but below the water line. Will also give you some surface agitation. Secondly, if the end of the locline was too low, or someehow covered up, the small hole drilled could break the siphon. As long as a snail is not sitting on the hole, lol. But I think that you would be fine with just the locline and the drilled hole. I don't even used a drilled hole on mine. I just keep the nozzle end near the waters surface so when about a half inch of water backdrains down to the sump, the siphon is broken at the nozzle end.

 

[jlpropst00]

Good suggestions.
I looked at the Durso and I think it will take up way to much real estate on my small tank. So I will still drill the back. The line to the fuge or moving the fuge I totally overlooked.
I also ditched the check valve. Still a little unsure about pipe diameter. I read some where 1" pvc can do about 960gph which would be way to much. I don't know...

 

[OneReef]

The drain size cannot be too big, or I should say it means that just because 1" diameter can handle draining 960gph, that doesn't mean that's what you're going to be draining. It will only drain as fast as your return pump can push it back to the tank. Your gph water drain will be determined by how much gph your return pump is doing. 1" drain and 3/4 return is pretty standard sizing.

 

[Rudolph]

While I haven't seen it in a sump/fuge before (but I am certain someone has done it), why not make it larger and build in a section for your top off water (TOW)? If not, you have to find room in your stand to hold the TOW container, or have to put it beside your stand. I have a second tank that I am going have a sump made and I am going to have a section for the TOW. I think that would make everything much simplier and look better too! Maybe a 30G breeder with four sections? The TOW could be on the far left with a solid divider and everything else would be the same.

 

[MPDBullitt]

I've thought about doing that on my my 225 project im planing out.....but you would definitely need a very good wall glued in since the force will go up as the TOW gets low. Probabaly put in side walls behind it kinda like a table on it's side.

 

[jlpropst00]

I had planned the top off container to be next to the stand, hidden in something. The BRS guys hid theirs in a storage ottoman. I thought that was kinda cool. My sump just fits in my stand so there is no room in the stand. I guess it depends on how big I want the fuge section to be. I don't want to forfeit its effectiveness.
I did decide on 1" drain and 3/4" return with an Ehiem return pump. I plan on ordering the bulkheads and overflow box next week.
Thanks for the input!

 

[jlpropst00]

Here are a few pics of my unfinished stand. It has faux doors that come off as one piece. The tank is going in the living room so my wife feels she should get to decide how its finished.

 

[Rudolph]

Nice job on the stand. What are you putting in the fuge? If it is just extra LR you could get a tall tank (29G) as your stand looks taller than normal (maybe just the angle in pic) and might could hold a taller sump. That way you could still put in a section for TOW and still have the same volume for LR.

Yes, getting the wife's buy in is important. I had to find a tank stand/canapy that looked like furniture to convince her it should go in the family room. I found a tank that has a lot of trim and is cherry stained to match the other furniture. It looks like a piece of furniture so everyone is happy.

You could also consider putting some legs/decorative blocks on the bottom to get it off the floor. I had a tank that was flat on the bottom many years ago and the occasional splash here and there found its way to the botton where it ruined the carpet under the stand. So if it is going on carpet, you might think about that.

 

[OneReef]

 

[jlpropst00]

you could get a tall tank (29G) as your stand looks taller than normal (maybe just the angle in pic) and might could hold a taller sump.

Funny you should mention a 29g. I actually have one and was considering using it. With the 29g I figured I could do a DSB, Live rock and cheato. As far as the stand goes it is a little taller than normal. With the 40b only being 16" tall I didn't want to have to bend over to see into the tank.

Jay, I like the basket. How many gal. does that hold?
I also have a biopellet question. First off is running biopellets and a fuge redundant? Would they be beneficial on a small system like mine? I think I saw somewhere that they can remove all phosphates and crash your tank.
I just want my water quality to be top notch.

 

[OneReef]

I think my topoff container holds about 5g. It is a dry pet food storage container from Garden Ridge.

As far as bio pellets, the pellets and the fuge are trying to accomplish the same goal, but I don't see the harm in having both if you want to have some livestock or pods growing in the fuge. The only issue might be your macro algae in the fuge might not grow very well since your bio pellets might be stripping down the nutrients that algae gets its growth from. But overall, I wouldn't see a major issue having both.

 

[BigBoi5680]

Lol.....I love that!!

 

[Rudolph]

Funny you should mention a 29g. I actually have one and was considering using it. With the 29g I figured I could do a DSB, Live rock and cheato. As far as the stand goes it is a little taller than normal. With the 40b only being 16" tall I didn't want to have to bend over to see into the tank.

Well if you have the room, then I would go with the cleaner look (all cables, cords, etc. hidden). Depending on the skimmer, it may have to sit a little higher in the taller 29 (of course the water level would be higher in a 29). If so, make sure you can get the cup off and on at this higher mount.

I am tall, so I fully get the need for a taller stand. If I ever have a stand custom built, it will be much taller than the standard height.

 

[Rudolph]

I've thought about doing that on my my 225 project im planing out.....but you would definitely need a very good wall glued in since the force will go up as the TOW gets low. Probabaly put in side walls behind it kinda like a table on it's side.

MPD, are you local? I am guessing MPD is Memphis Police Department :uzi:, so probably yes. If so, post a new thread and tell us about your project (and everyone likes pics). Probably a long shot (police humor), but someone may have a good idea that might help.

 

[MPDBullitt]

Yes I'm in Bartlett and yes I'm MPD (Frayser Midnights 2330-0730hrs).....right now the project is a glass 225 sitting in the garage, 200+ pounds of marhshall island rock? in totes, a couple blueline 100 pumps, a 1000w titanium heater and controller, and a phosban 550 i might try to use biopellets in.....the rest is on paper and in my dreams for now. The goal is having it up around thanksgiving and i will definitely post it up once i get heavy into it.

Right now i have a 29 with a 20h sump that i just love and got me addicted!