Thinking about a redesign.

[Bent]

Tell me if you guys think this is a good idea.

The way I currently am set up, is like this:

A standard 55g that drains to a 50g stock tank in the basement. The return pump feeds the DT and a 30g fuge that also drains to the stock tank.

Like so:

DT:

Stock tank:

Fuge:

While this seems to be working great and my chaeto is growing like a weed, I can't help but feel I'm wasting space in the 30g. Plus when the current PC bulbs Peter out It's gonna cost a good amount to replace them.


I'm debating on turning the 30g into a second display by purchasing either a cheap Chinese LED or the reef breeders par38 and gooseneck. Then moving the chaeto ball to the stock tan surrounded by the rock in there to keep it in place. Then I can light it with a cheap CFL and reflector. Plus I can tumble it with a power head.

Then in the 30g I can put some other cool macros and maybe the angler I've been wanting.

The only problem is what to do with my sea hare. Right now he's as happy as a pig in crap, but with the chaeto ball gone, I would have to harvest some to feed him.


So what's this idea like? Is this a solution looking for a problem?

 

[theatrus]

That's some crazy hanging plumbing

 

[Bent]

Kind of like art ain't it.

What do you think about the redesign?

 

[Bent]

Like so, Just move the chaeto:

 

[SoloGarth]

Thinking about a redesign.

Yeah that's what I would do. I have a similar setup. My sump feeds both the 120g display and a small 11g frag tank. The FT is lit by a par38 bulb. Works great and I don't need unsightly frag racks in my display anymore.

 

[Bent]

That may be what I do. I still need some chaet for the hare, so I may keep a tiny amount in there.

 

[SoloGarth]

I would just put it in the sump. You could even put a tank in the sump to keep it separate. Just let it overflow into the sump.

 

[Harry_Y]

I would just put it in the sump. You could even put a tank in the sump to keep it separate. Just let it overflow into the sump.

Or a bucket, etc

 

[shifty51008]

just remember when you have light over the sump you will start getting algae build up in the skimmer.

you will also have to section off different parts or your cheato will get into the pumps clogging them up.

 

[Bent]

Ok so here's what I did last night.

It's tumbling decently and its sectioned off with the rock. I may put my 10g QT tank in it and put the chaeto in there. Then maybe get a 20l for QT.

Ignore the nasty fuge. I need to siphon it.

 

[theatrus]

Looks good. I'm envious of your extra connected tank space

I'd still secure the pipe on a frame.

 

[Bent]

Which pipe you talking about?

 

[theatrus]

In your first fuge picture, the three hanging pipes.

I mainly harp on this because I've flooded due to cracked PVC which was not well anchored.

Does your chaeto seem to prefer high or low flow?

 

[Bent]

Oh. Those are coming down from the display. You can't see them but there are suspension clamps holding all 3 nailed to the side of the staircase. Then the ones above are attached to the upper wall studs.

There's probably only 18-24" max that are just hanging out in the air. It's solid.

Well, the chaeto was growing like crazy in the 30g and there is diddly for flow in there. Just a return nozzle and two durso drains. I'll see how it does with a power head blasting it down in the sump.

 

[Bent]

Alright. So I used my QT and bought another 10g.

Yes, no?

 

[theatrus]

I like the low tech tank overflow

 

[Bent]

I like the low tech tank overflow

Thanks! It seems to be flowing ok, but I'd really like to plumb a more permanent solution. Here's my idea:

1: Buy a new return pump.
2: run the DT entirely off the existing blue line.
3: I'm buying a BRS dual reactor. GFO + GAC
4: Run the 30g fuge, the new 10g fuge, the Reactor, and the UVS all off the new return pump.

So, what are some opinions on how I should do this? I'd love feedback, but I do have a couple of specific questions:

1: will doing it this way cause any new problems? (I.e power failure floods, etc.)
2: what pump do you recommend? I was looking at plumbing a simple submersible quiet one pro 6000 to do all this with. I'm open to suggestions however.