HOB skimmer question and plumbing question

Bcsader · 03/11/2010, 09:11 PM

Hey guys i am preparing to set up a 150 gallon FOWLR tank. It is drilled in the bottom for a closed loop but is not drilled for an overflow. I was wondering if it would be better to build a PVC overflow and run it to a small sump with a protein skimmer, heater, and then through a UV sterilizer, or just get a HOB skimmer and plumb the UV into one of the returns of the closed loop. Also will a HOB skimmer fit if there is fouur inches from the back of the tank to the opening in the acrylic on top. I am not comfortable drilling the tank for an overflow at this point. Also UV sterilzers need a pretty low flow rate correct. The tank came with two ocean clear canister filters and two pumps that are older. one is a little giant 4-MDQ-SC and the other is a MAK4 anyways these are pretty high flow rate pumps correct? I have two drains going to each pump and 1 return each. How would I plumb the sterilizer in to one of the returns and slow down the flow for it? Sorry i ask a lot of questions but I am a total newb when it comes to saltwater. Thanks

Brian

dudley moray · 03/11/2010, 09:28 PM

go with the sump it's much easier in the long run and the uv can be placed in the sump if the uv needs to be plumbed in line the a ball or gate valve after the pump and before the uv would be your best bet

03/11/2010, 09:11 PM	#1
Bcsader Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 74	HOB skimmer question and plumbing question Hey guys i am preparing to set up a 150 gallon FOWLR tank. It is drilled in the bottom for a closed loop but is not drilled for an overflow. I was wondering if it would be better to build a PVC overflow and run it to a small sump with a protein skimmer, heater, and then through a UV sterilizer, or just get a HOB skimmer and plumb the UV into one of the returns of the closed loop. Also will a HOB skimmer fit if there is fouur inches from the back of the tank to the opening in the acrylic on top. I am not comfortable drilling the tank for an overflow at this point. Also UV sterilzers need a pretty low flow rate correct. The tank came with two ocean clear canister filters and two pumps that are older. one is a little giant 4-MDQ-SC and the other is a MAK4 anyways these are pretty high flow rate pumps correct? I have two drains going to each pump and 1 return each. How would I plumb the sterilizer in to one of the returns and slow down the flow for it? Sorry i ask a lot of questions but I am a total newb when it comes to saltwater. Thanks Brian

03/11/2010, 09:28 PM	#2
dudley moray sisternofuselessknowledge Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: orillia ontario Posts: 795	go with the sump it's much easier in the long run and the uv can be placed in the sump if the uv needs to be plumbed in line the a ball or gate valve after the pump and before the uv would be your best bet __________________ We urge hobbyists to develop a good 'BS' detector that will allow you to question information presented to you without any experimental evidence to support it. chris Current Tank Info: 90 gal south pacific biotope 40 gal sump/fuge ,65 gal rebuilding