75 gallon reef on 2nd floor with sump!! NEED HELP!

xtremenub · 12/16/2011, 07:21 PM

I just got a 75 gallon , and will try to turn it into a reef tank. (still gathering equipment)

Is a sump a must? I'd rather run a canister filter if possible.

I am still confused as to how a sump operates.

this tank will be on the 2nd floor, on carpet, near hardwood floor. (only choice)
I cannot in no way risk of something flooding.

Can someone explain to me, a tank with built in overflow and running a sump/refugiam, is there a chance of flooding? (Not Counting leaks coming from the actual tank)

I've always ran my 36 gallon saltwater on a canister filter, and had peace of mind since there is no chance of flooding becuase intake and outake tube is the tank.

What happens with tank and sump when power goes out??

if outtake tube from tank get clogged for some reason, all of the tanks water will flood into the sump???

I am freaking out at this point, thinking to return the tank with the overflow and get a standard , someone please help me calm down

JEC11718 · 12/16/2011, 07:31 PM

I'm new here too, but people have really big tanks with sumps, in multi-million dollar homes, If you gather all of your equipment, make sure of the water level when the power is off, watch lots of utube vids and use this forum (including stickies) you should be able to figure out the inner workings of a sump/refuge and not have any problems, I dont think it would be wrong to use a canister, I have a sw tank with 2 hang on the back filters... its YOUR tank, do what you are comfortable with....just my 2cents! P.s. If your worried about leaks, get a plastic tray to catch any drips under sump. the tray would fit inside the tank stand and sump sits inside it. Josh

cbellm · 12/16/2011, 07:36 PM

I have a 44 gallon corner without a sump however I wish I had one. If you are going with a 75 definately will want one in the long run. With all the hang on the backs your tank will accumulate (refugium, protein skimmer...) so many things on the back you wont be able to have a hood.
I would suggest going with an overflow and getting a 29g-30 gallon tank and making a sump its easy and affordable.

AJ1080 · 12/16/2011, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xtremenub

I just got a 75 gallon , and will try to turn it into a reef tank. (still gathering equipment)

Is a sump a must? I'd rather run a canister filter if possible.

I wouldn't say its a must but I would say its highly recommended

I am still confused as to how a sump operates.

this tank will be on the 2nd floor, on carpet, near hardwood floor. (only choice)
I cannot in no way risk of something flooding.

Can someone explain to me, a tank with built in overflow and running a sump/refugiam, is there a chance of flooding? (Not Counting leaks coming from the actual tank)

As long as you dont over fill the sump and your over flow is plumbed to break the siphon when the water flow stops you will not flood.Is it a reef ready tank or will you be using an overflow box?

I've always ran my 36 gallon saltwater on a canister filter, and had peace of mind since there is no chance of flooding becuase intake and outake tube is the tank.

What happens with tank and sump when power goes out??

When power goes out the water continues down the drain into the sump until it reaches the top of the overflow pipe. Once it gets there it stops. If your sump is over filled you will flood, otherwise it will just fill up.

if outtake tube from tank get clogged for some reason, all of the tanks water will flood into the sump???

I am freaking out at this point, thinking to return the tank with the overflow and get a standard , someone please help me calm down

calm down tons of people use them without problem

rfalvey89 · 12/16/2011, 08:01 PM

I would not run a canister filter on any aquarium. I had them on 3 tanks and they just turn into a nitrate factory. + they are a b!%$# to clean. Here are a couple thoughts:
* keep it simple
*get a 20/29 gal sump
* run a skimmer
* keep the water level in the sump a depth that wont cause a flood if the tank back siphons
*KEEP THE TANK W/THE OVERFLOWS
*

swatem · 12/16/2011, 08:44 PM

I use a sump/refugium for my 75 gallon. Im new to reef tanks and after studying I found there were just to many more benefits to having a sump to pass up.

To deal with having to much water siphon back into the sump I have one section of the return pipe just below water level. This way once the water level drops on the main tank the air it draws in breaks the siphon. I know people who drill two small holes towards the back of the return pipes, which is the same principle. The reason for two holes is in case a snail makes it to one and covers it.

My sump is another 75 gallon tank but smaller can be used with no problem. The main point is design it so when the power goes out, cause it will eventually, it will never siphon back enough water to overflow the sump. As for the drain, i know there have been one in a million clogs for no reason but typically if your drain gets to the point it clogs, its because of poor maintenance. I don't know if you can but when I designed my setup I tested it in the garage. One, was to make sure there were no leaks in my tanks and two, to test the sump. All testing done with freshwater of course, then drained it, brought it in and began. The testing gave me the piece of mind I think you're looking for.

Not trying to complicate things but I know quite a few people who still swear by the wet/dry setups. In fact one if my favorite LFS runs all his tanks with them. Looking at his stuff I can't say a bad word about them. Just not what I personally wanted.

Obviously your choice in the end. Just do the studying before hand so you can kick back and enjoy the hobby like its meant to be.

12/16/2011, 07:21 PM	#1
xtremenub Moved On Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 19	75 gallon reef on 2nd floor with sump!! NEED HELP! I just got a 75 gallon , and will try to turn it into a reef tank. (still gathering equipment) Is a sump a must? I'd rather run a canister filter if possible. I am still confused as to how a sump operates. this tank will be on the 2nd floor, on carpet, near hardwood floor. (only choice) I cannot in no way risk of something flooding. Can someone explain to me, a tank with built in overflow and running a sump/refugiam, is there a chance of flooding? (Not Counting leaks coming from the actual tank) I've always ran my 36 gallon saltwater on a canister filter, and had peace of mind since there is no chance of flooding becuase intake and outake tube is the tank. What happens with tank and sump when power goes out?? if outtake tube from tank get clogged for some reason, all of the tanks water will flood into the sump??? I am freaking out at this point, thinking to return the tank with the overflow and get a standard , someone please help me calm down

12/16/2011, 08:01 PM	#5
rfalvey89 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Lutz FL...Never heard of it?- Neither had I Posts: 1,113	I would not run a canister filter on any aquarium. I had them on 3 tanks and they just turn into a nitrate factory. + they are a b!%$# to clean. Here are a couple thoughts: * keep it simple get a 20/29 gal sump run a skimmer * keep the water level in the sump a depth that wont cause a flood if the tank back siphons KEEP THE TANK W/THE OVERFLOWS __________________ ....None of you understand. I'm not locked up in here with you. You're locked up in here with ME! Current Tank Info: 150 gal powered by Ecotech Radions, Vectra, MP40QD's

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12/16/2011, 07:31 PM	#2
JEC11718 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 94	I'm new here too, but people have really big tanks with sumps, in multi-million dollar homes, If you gather all of your equipment, make sure of the water level when the power is off, watch lots of utube vids and use this forum (including stickies) you should be able to figure out the inner workings of a sump/refuge and not have any problems, I dont think it would be wrong to use a canister, I have a sw tank with 2 hang on the back filters... its YOUR tank, do what you are comfortable with....just my 2cents! P.s. If your worried about leaks, get a plastic tray to catch any drips under sump. the tray would fit inside the tank stand and sump sits inside it. Josh

12/16/2011, 07:36 PM	#3
cbellm Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: indiana Posts: 77	I have a 44 gallon corner without a sump however I wish I had one. If you are going with a 75 definately will want one in the long run. With all the hang on the backs your tank will accumulate (refugium, protein skimmer...) so many things on the back you wont be able to have a hood. I would suggest going with an overflow and getting a 29g-30 gallon tank and making a sump its easy and affordable.

12/16/2011, 08:44 PM	#6
swatem Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 4	I use a sump/refugium for my 75 gallon. Im new to reef tanks and after studying I found there were just to many more benefits to having a sump to pass up. To deal with having to much water siphon back into the sump I have one section of the return pipe just below water level. This way once the water level drops on the main tank the air it draws in breaks the siphon. I know people who drill two small holes towards the back of the return pipes, which is the same principle. The reason for two holes is in case a snail makes it to one and covers it. My sump is another 75 gallon tank but smaller can be used with no problem. The main point is design it so when the power goes out, cause it will eventually, it will never siphon back enough water to overflow the sump. As for the drain, i know there have been one in a million clogs for no reason but typically if your drain gets to the point it clogs, its because of poor maintenance. I don't know if you can but when I designed my setup I tested it in the garage. One, was to make sure there were no leaks in my tanks and two, to test the sump. All testing done with freshwater of course, then drained it, brought it in and began. The testing gave me the piece of mind I think you're looking for. Not trying to complicate things but I know quite a few people who still swear by the wet/dry setups. In fact one if my favorite LFS runs all his tanks with them. Looking at his stuff I can't say a bad word about them. Just not what I personally wanted. Obviously your choice in the end. Just do the studying before hand so you can kick back and enjoy the hobby like its meant to be.