180 Setup Need Help Diagram provided

ferraral · 12/27/2006, 08:08 AM

Please feel free to offer any opinion on what setup you guys would recommend. I am open to all ideas. The diagram includes questions and info. Thanks guys

DeJaCo · 12/27/2006, 08:50 AM

First let me start with this is my opinion and from my experience.
When designing a sump system and refugium; place refugium at end of flow so water exiting it will be pumped directly to main tank. Not only is the refugium area for filtering but also a spot where food stuffs for inhabitants can grow and reproduce unchecked by any predation. Why filter them out? Water leaves main display and is first filtered through a sock or pad system.
Next step would be to get it into an area where skimming, carbon / resins can filter, heaters, chiller, etc.. Then into refugium area and then finally back to main tank. Pretty much using your current parts just rerouting the flow pattern.

ferraral · 12/27/2006, 08:53 AM

Thanks Dennis. I will rework my diagram to reflect what you said. You make alot of sense about the refugium. What size pump would you recommend

rreddick · 12/27/2006, 09:33 AM

Hi, Let me add my two cents to the mix. I also am running an AGA 180G with sump and Ref. I would split the return line from the 30G sump via a tee, run lower flow into the Ref, only about 400 to 500 GPH needed here, you want a good environment for Macro and Pod growth. The run the other branch of the tee into your second sump for return to your display tank.

Also I would take the output from the ref directly to the display via the small sump. Critical here to match the pump size feeding the ref to the return pump, you will want to make sure the overflows in the 110 can drain more water then the fill pump can provide. Other wise you could have a flood very easy if the overflows get clogged with a snail or other stuff.

An even better design would take the flow as follows:
Display tank overflows split via a tee:
Branch one (controled via gate valve) into main sump
Branch two (controled via gate valve) Into Ref 110G tank (lower flow rate the main sump)
Main Sump area:
Overflow into filter sock
Chamber one - Skimmer
Chamber two - LR and Bubble trap baffles between this and chamber 3
Chamber 3 - Return pump (Iawaki 100 or similar)

Ref
Oveflow into second sump
Sump 2
Chamber one discharge pipe (no sock)
Chamber 2 - Return pump to display tank via overback simple manifold (tee to several disharge ports at back top of tank)

This setup removes the possibility of flooding the Ref or sumps if a pump fails which it will at some point, or if an overflow get clogged. The only other thing I would do is use the drilled bulkheads as follows.

On the 180 AGA
use the two 1" as primary drains, then take a straight 3/4" pipe and run it a bit higher then the normal water level in the overflow, but lower then the tank max water level. This acts as a saftey drain in case of blockage. Do the same on the 110G Ref tank

Good luck
Ron

ferraral · 12/27/2006, 09:39 AM

Thanks Ron, I will draw it up so you can take a look at it after I make your changes. I want to make that I follow your steps correctly.

rreddick · 12/27/2006, 09:47 AM

I will look for the new post. You can also email directly if you have questions as you go along, it is fun get a new tank set up. ronbo3g@yahoo.com

and remember to use unions and valves where ever you are placing a pump or a fitting to a sump tank for ease of maint.

Regards
Ron

rreddick · 12/27/2006, 09:51 AM

I will look for the new post. You can also email directly if you have questions as you go along, it is fun get a new tank set up. ronbo3g@yahoo.com

and remember to use unions and valves where ever you are placing a pump or a fitting to a sump tank for ease of maint. Forgot to mention (ref sump return pump, small Gen-X would work around 500GPH)

And return from main sump I would do a closed loop in the main display. Loof better then having a bunch of Powerheads and you do not even need to cement the pipe together once you come over the top of the tank. Just press fit, makes it very easy to adjust flow direction as you add new corals or change the LR around.

Regards
Ron

ferraral · 12/27/2006, 01:04 PM

Thanks Again Ron
You have some great ideas. I will make the changes and email them to you.

12/27/2006, 08:50 AM	#2
DeJaCo Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Sheridan, WY Posts: 30	First let me start with this is my opinion and from my experience. When designing a sump system and refugium; place refugium at end of flow so water exiting it will be pumped directly to main tank. Not only is the refugium area for filtering but also a spot where food stuffs for inhabitants can grow and reproduce unchecked by any predation. Why filter them out? Water leaves main display and is first filtered through a sock or pad system. Next step would be to get it into an area where skimming, carbon / resins can filter, heaters, chiller, etc.. Then into refugium area and then finally back to main tank. Pretty much using your current parts just rerouting the flow pattern. __________________ Dennis J. Cook Current Tank Info: 210 gallon reef with 45 gallon mechanical/algal filtration system

12/27/2006, 08:53 AM	#3
ferraral Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 13	Thanks Dennis. I will rework my diagram to reflect what you said. You make alot of sense about the refugium. What size pump would you recommend

12/27/2006, 09:33 AM	#4
rreddick Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Brewster, MA Posts: 224	Hi, Let me add my two cents to the mix. I also am running an AGA 180G with sump and Ref. I would split the return line from the 30G sump via a tee, run lower flow into the Ref, only about 400 to 500 GPH needed here, you want a good environment for Macro and Pod growth. The run the other branch of the tee into your second sump for return to your display tank. Also I would take the output from the ref directly to the display via the small sump. Critical here to match the pump size feeding the ref to the return pump, you will want to make sure the overflows in the 110 can drain more water then the fill pump can provide. Other wise you could have a flood very easy if the overflows get clogged with a snail or other stuff. An even better design would take the flow as follows: Display tank overflows split via a tee: Branch one (controled via gate valve) into main sump Branch two (controled via gate valve) Into Ref 110G tank (lower flow rate the main sump) Main Sump area: Overflow into filter sock Chamber one - Skimmer Chamber two - LR and Bubble trap baffles between this and chamber 3 Chamber 3 - Return pump (Iawaki 100 or similar) Ref Oveflow into second sump Sump 2 Chamber one discharge pipe (no sock) Chamber 2 - Return pump to display tank via overback simple manifold (tee to several disharge ports at back top of tank) This setup removes the possibility of flooding the Ref or sumps if a pump fails which it will at some point, or if an overflow get clogged. The only other thing I would do is use the drilled bulkheads as follows. On the 180 AGA use the two 1" as primary drains, then take a straight 3/4" pipe and run it a bit higher then the normal water level in the overflow, but lower then the tank max water level. This acts as a saftey drain in case of blockage. Do the same on the 110G Ref tank Good luck Ron

12/27/2006, 09:39 AM	#5
ferraral Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 13	Thanks Ron, I will draw it up so you can take a look at it after I make your changes. I want to make that I follow your steps correctly.

12/27/2006, 09:47 AM	#6
rreddick Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Brewster, MA Posts: 224	I will look for the new post. You can also email directly if you have questions as you go along, it is fun get a new tank set up. ronbo3g@yahoo.com and remember to use unions and valves where ever you are placing a pump or a fitting to a sump tank for ease of maint. Regards Ron

12/27/2006, 09:51 AM	#7
rreddick Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Brewster, MA Posts: 224	I will look for the new post. You can also email directly if you have questions as you go along, it is fun get a new tank set up. ronbo3g@yahoo.com and remember to use unions and valves where ever you are placing a pump or a fitting to a sump tank for ease of maint. Forgot to mention (ref sump return pump, small Gen-X would work around 500GPH) And return from main sump I would do a closed loop in the main display. Loof better then having a bunch of Powerheads and you do not even need to cement the pipe together once you come over the top of the tank. Just press fit, makes it very easy to adjust flow direction as you add new corals or change the LR around. Regards Ron

12/27/2006, 01:04 PM	#8
ferraral Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 13	Thanks Again Ron You have some great ideas. I will make the changes and email them to you.