Plumbing a frag tank into system- sharing common sump input please

flyyyguy · 05/14/2007, 05:38 PM

Here is the deal.

I am setting up a 70 gallon frag tank. 48x24x14. I want to turn the 100 gallon sump on my 225 into a common sump for both the 225 and the frag tank so there is absolutely nothing in the frag tank but some powerheads and a overflow to the sump.

The frag tank will be sitting only 10 feet away from the display in a different room(the garage). Heightwise, the frag tank will be pretty much right above the sump in a different room of course.

Im going to switch out the mag 24 i am currently using for the return and chiller on the 225 ,for a mag 36 and add another T in the return line so it will be returning to two tanks and the chiller. The 225 is of course business as usual on the drain end, the frag tank will be draining into the sump right next to the current drain.

The sump can handle the extra flow through it no problem as ive got 3" in between and under the baffles and 1000 gph of it is a CLS to the chiller and back to the sump. It can also handle the extra little bit of backsiphon from the frag tank if the power goes off.

Am i missing anything?? It seems simple enough. Just want to run it by a few other minds. Is there anything else i should consider, or any other ideas??

thx for any input.

-b

IslandCrow · 05/14/2007, 09:32 PM

I did something very similar, just with smaller tanks. The only major issue I've run into is that since the drain from my frag tank is having to travel a very good distance horizontally, it really cuts down on how quickly the water drains. Specifically, it's traveling about 8' horizontally, but only about 1 1/2 feet vertically through 1" flexible PVC, making a few 45 degree turns along the way. As a result, I'm estimating I'm only getting around 100 gph out of my frag tank. I'm going to solve my problem with installing a closed loop, but it's definitely something to think about. The only solution I can think of is to have more vertical travel (or less horizontal), but it's too late for me unless I want to build a new stand.

flyyyguy · 05/14/2007, 09:38 PM

Thanks for the input. Actually i will be in a somewhat similar circumstance. My garage sits lower than the room the display is in, so there will only be about a 8" drop from the overflow on the frag tank to the sump 8 -10 feet away in the other room. I am only planning on moving 5-600 gph through the overflow, and i will use a 2" bulkhead/drain and pipe to the sump and i think that will take care of it.

Im not sure how a CLS would help this issue though for your circumstance. ??

IslandCrow · 05/19/2007, 02:24 PM

The closed loop will just be to provide enough flow. Since I'm only draining 1-200 gph, I can therefore only pump an equal amount back in, which is obviously nowhere near enough, especially if I want SPS in there. Right now, I'm just using powerheads for the same purpose. Hopefully you'll be able to get the 5-600 gph your looking for. If you have any way to test it before you get everything hooked up, that would certainly be a good idea.

05/14/2007, 05:38 PM	#1
flyyyguy King of the white corals Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 5,239	Plumbing a frag tank into system- sharing common sump input please Here is the deal. I am setting up a 70 gallon frag tank. 48x24x14. I want to turn the 100 gallon sump on my 225 into a common sump for both the 225 and the frag tank so there is absolutely nothing in the frag tank but some powerheads and a overflow to the sump. The frag tank will be sitting only 10 feet away from the display in a different room(the garage). Heightwise, the frag tank will be pretty much right above the sump in a different room of course. Im going to switch out the mag 24 i am currently using for the return and chiller on the 225 ,for a mag 36 and add another T in the return line so it will be returning to two tanks and the chiller. The 225 is of course business as usual on the drain end, the frag tank will be draining into the sump right next to the current drain. The sump can handle the extra flow through it no problem as ive got 3" in between and under the baffles and 1000 gph of it is a CLS to the chiller and back to the sump. It can also handle the extra little bit of backsiphon from the frag tank if the power goes off. Am i missing anything?? It seems simple enough. Just want to run it by a few other minds. Is there anything else i should consider, or any other ideas?? thx for any input. -b Last edited by flyyyguy; 05/14/2007 at 05:54 PM.

05/14/2007, 09:32 PM	#2
IslandCrow Reef Monkey Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rockledge, Fl Posts: 5,759	I did something very similar, just with smaller tanks. The only major issue I've run into is that since the drain from my frag tank is having to travel a very good distance horizontally, it really cuts down on how quickly the water drains. Specifically, it's traveling about 8' horizontally, but only about 1 1/2 feet vertically through 1" flexible PVC, making a few 45 degree turns along the way. As a result, I'm estimating I'm only getting around 100 gph out of my frag tank. I'm going to solve my problem with installing a closed loop, but it's definitely something to think about. The only solution I can think of is to have more vertical travel (or less horizontal), but it's too late for me unless I want to build a new stand. __________________ All opinions in the above message should be taken with 35 ppt salt. -Mike C. Current Tank Info: I have a reef screen saver on my phone, does that count?

05/14/2007, 09:38 PM	#3
flyyyguy King of the white corals Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 5,239	Thanks for the input. Actually i will be in a somewhat similar circumstance. My garage sits lower than the room the display is in, so there will only be about a 8" drop from the overflow on the frag tank to the sump 8 -10 feet away in the other room. I am only planning on moving 5-600 gph through the overflow, and i will use a 2" bulkhead/drain and pipe to the sump and i think that will take care of it. Im not sure how a CLS would help this issue though for your circumstance. ?? __________________ I like holding hands, snuggling, and long walks on the beach

05/19/2007, 02:24 PM	#4
IslandCrow Reef Monkey Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rockledge, Fl Posts: 5,759	The closed loop will just be to provide enough flow. Since I'm only draining 1-200 gph, I can therefore only pump an equal amount back in, which is obviously nowhere near enough, especially if I want SPS in there. Right now, I'm just using powerheads for the same purpose. Hopefully you'll be able to get the 5-600 gph your looking for. If you have any way to test it before you get everything hooked up, that would certainly be a good idea. __________________ All opinions in the above message should be taken with 35 ppt salt. -Mike C. Current Tank Info: I have a reef screen saver on my phone, does that count?