Need some advice on HW purchase

jscarlata · 01/10/2007, 08:39 AM

OK, i'm finally at the point where i'm ready to start buying some gear. Today i'm going to meet someone local who runs an aquarium maintence firm where i'm getting some used gear.
I'm buying a used 120AGA as well as the possibility of a used skimmer and maybe some pumps too, depending on costs. The main questions i have are on the pumps, specifically the GPH i should be looking for.
I plan to run a sump, skimmer and maybe a closed loop. I have a little Giant pump now, but its only 500GPH, i didnt think this was enough to run the sump on a 120, but i'm not sure, my last tank with this pump was a 55; is it enough?
So, the question is, how big a pump should i be looking for to work as a sump return in a 120? How much GPH for a CL?

I know that many people run separate pumps in their setups, but i read an interesting articley by mr. Calfo that showed setting up the return in a manifold around the tank, and basically achieving the same flow properties of a closed loop with only having a single pump.
I figured if a got a Dart, that at 3600gph i would have enough power to achieve good flow and filtration. but i'm not sure how this affects the skimmer and the general operation of the system, it could be too much movement thru the sump.

Next, i'm trying to plan the plumbing, the tank i'm getting is not RR, so there are no overflows built in. I was planning to get a pair of megaflows or build my own overflows from plastic and have one in each rear corner, not sure yet. I read another article by calfo about a coast to coast overflow that caught my attention, but i havent been able to find much more about them and how to build it. Based on the research ive done here it seems that the safe way to plumb the overflows is to have a primary and backup drain pipe in each overflow. I giess i'm just not sure how big the holes need to be for the bulkheads and if you actually put a backup pipe in EACH overflow or just one.
This is going to be an inwall setup, so aesthetics of the plumbing is 2nd to functionality as it will al be in a back room.

FWIW i plan to have amixed reef, LPS SPS etc, definatley a nem of some sort down the road...thanks in advance for any advice...

Bri Guy · 01/10/2007, 01:32 PM

If you are going to set up a nice in wall large tank setup, id do it right the first time (your on the right track asking questions here) But what I was getting at is, look into getting the tank drilled before you set it up, they are way more reliable than the overflows.

What pumps you chose for your tank is totally up to what you are going to house in the tank. You could run a sump with a powerhead if you wanted a slow turnover in the sump, as long as some water is getting down there to get filtered and such. Hopefully more will chime in good luck.

jscarlata · 01/10/2007, 08:21 PM

thanks for the advice, drilled with internal overflows has always been my plan...
so far what i've decided on for the inital setup is
-1200gph sump flow
-internal flow pumps like tunze's or seio's
-external skimmer

I secured a used tank and sump today, the only challenge now is that the tank is bare, no internal overflows. I did some searhcing and found a few sources, but for what they are it seemed rather expensive. The megaflows from AGA are about 45 each, other sources like austins and such that i found online were similiar.
is there anyone on the boards that can fab a pair of corner overflows for a reasnable price, or should i just go with one of the dealers?
the other question is should the overflow boxes EACH have a backup pipe or is two main and one backup enough

01/10/2007, 08:39 AM	#1
jscarlata Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Long Island,New York Posts: 875	Need some advice on HW purchase OK, i'm finally at the point where i'm ready to start buying some gear. Today i'm going to meet someone local who runs an aquarium maintence firm where i'm getting some used gear. I'm buying a used 120AGA as well as the possibility of a used skimmer and maybe some pumps too, depending on costs. The main questions i have are on the pumps, specifically the GPH i should be looking for. I plan to run a sump, skimmer and maybe a closed loop. I have a little Giant pump now, but its only 500GPH, i didnt think this was enough to run the sump on a 120, but i'm not sure, my last tank with this pump was a 55; is it enough? So, the question is, how big a pump should i be looking for to work as a sump return in a 120? How much GPH for a CL? I know that many people run separate pumps in their setups, but i read an interesting articley by mr. Calfo that showed setting up the return in a manifold around the tank, and basically achieving the same flow properties of a closed loop with only having a single pump. I figured if a got a Dart, that at 3600gph i would have enough power to achieve good flow and filtration. but i'm not sure how this affects the skimmer and the general operation of the system, it could be too much movement thru the sump. Next, i'm trying to plan the plumbing, the tank i'm getting is not RR, so there are no overflows built in. I was planning to get a pair of megaflows or build my own overflows from plastic and have one in each rear corner, not sure yet. I read another article by calfo about a coast to coast overflow that caught my attention, but i havent been able to find much more about them and how to build it. Based on the research ive done here it seems that the safe way to plumb the overflows is to have a primary and backup drain pipe in each overflow. I giess i'm just not sure how big the holes need to be for the bulkheads and if you actually put a backup pipe in EACH overflow or just one. This is going to be an inwall setup, so aesthetics of the plumbing is 2nd to functionality as it will al be in a back room. FWIW i plan to have amixed reef, LPS SPS etc, definatley a nem of some sort down the road...thanks in advance for any advice...

01/10/2007, 01:32 PM	#2
Bri Guy Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Appleton, Wisconsin Posts: 2,995	If you are going to set up a nice in wall large tank setup, id do it right the first time (your on the right track asking questions here) But what I was getting at is, look into getting the tank drilled before you set it up, they are way more reliable than the overflows. What pumps you chose for your tank is totally up to what you are going to house in the tank. You could run a sump with a powerhead if you wanted a slow turnover in the sump, as long as some water is getting down there to get filtered and such. Hopefully more will chime in good luck. __________________ For my birthday i got a humidifier and a de-humidifier... I put them in the same room and let them fight it out. (Steven Wright) Current Tank Info: 40BR w/ 250w 14K Phoenix + 192w PC, 10g fuge w/ 55w PC, 10g sump, Eheim 1250 return w/ SCWD, ASM Mini G skimmer, Gravity fed ATO, Kalk doser, 1/10 HP chiller, 1 Vortec + 3MJs, all on an AC Jr. - Born on date 8-06 Pics in gallery! + 55g FOWLR w/ macro

01/10/2007, 08:21 PM	#3
jscarlata Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Long Island,New York Posts: 875	thanks for the advice, drilled with internal overflows has always been my plan... so far what i've decided on for the inital setup is -1200gph sump flow -internal flow pumps like tunze's or seio's -external skimmer I secured a used tank and sump today, the only challenge now is that the tank is bare, no internal overflows. I did some searhcing and found a few sources, but for what they are it seemed rather expensive. The megaflows from AGA are about 45 each, other sources like austins and such that i found online were similiar. is there anyone on the boards that can fab a pair of corner overflows for a reasnable price, or should i just go with one of the dealers? the other question is should the overflow boxes EACH have a backup pipe or is two main and one backup enough