Skimmer and overflow question.

xxgmoneyxx · 02/15/2008, 02:14 AM

Hello guys im new to this hobby and have been reading about it for while now, so i went ahead and bought a 100 gallon tank to start my reef.

Anyway i haven't had a chance to read up on skimmers so i need some recommendations on which and where to buy one.

Also my tank does not have an overflow i wanted to make one my self, since i will be making my own sump, but i didn't find any articles on how to make one, also don't feel comfortable drilling the tank so if there is anyway to make an un-expensive way to make one with out drilling i would appreciate it if you can point me to the instructions. I will keep doing my research on the matter.

Thanx in advance.

G.

reefbegood · 02/15/2008, 02:38 AM

http://randystacye.com/diy_overflow.htm

xxgmoneyxx · 02/15/2008, 10:53 AM

Thanx ill get started on that today.

Sophie-G · 02/15/2008, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by xxgmoneyxx
Thanx ill get started on that today.

You can buy an overflow that hangs on the side of your tank...

smalls383 · 02/15/2008, 11:57 AM

Yes you can buy an overflow that hangs on the side of the tank....However, you will regret this later when your tank is up and running and you think to yourself....Why the hell did I not spend the $20 to get the tank drilled.

It is well worth is because overflow boxes, the hang on the back ones, do not work very well. In tank overflow boxes are great becuase they dont have a siphon that will break ....and they skinm the top of the water.

In end, just get it drilled. Call all of your LFS until you find one that will drill it, took me about 5 calls and $20. Then another 50 for the custom overflow box for my 54G corner.....

Avi · 02/15/2008, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by smalls383
It is well worth is because overflow boxes, the hang on the back ones, do not work very well.

I see people say this all the time and it's just plain wrong. I have had hang-on overflows (the kind with the U-tube) for a good number of years on my 120-gallon reef and I know a number of people that also have used them for years...and...they work flawlessly.

I have two marine tanks...the one I mentioned and a FOWLR that is reef-ready and I can't say one is better than the other. Of course, drilled and reef-ready tanks are fine, but if I had a another tank that wasn't drilled I wouldn't hesitate to use two good-quality hang-on overflows on it.

xxgmoneyxx · 02/15/2008, 04:31 PM

Its a big tank for me to carry around, ill just make my own HOB overflow.

Now i just need to find a nice return pump and a skimmer for my sump. i know i need at least 300gph pump, im planning to have it inside the sump.

does the skimmer need to have a pump too?what skimmer and pump u guys recommend for me?

Avi · 02/15/2008, 06:39 PM

The skimmer and the tank/sump-circulation pump really should have seperate water-pumps. I'd recommend the kind I use on both of my marine tanks...It's an Oceanic. It is already drilled so you can, if your configuration has room for it, plumb one or the other of the pumps outside of the sump so there's more room inside the sump and there's less heat transfer into your systems water. I did make one very simple modification on the sumps, though, which is just a piece of glass that enables me to raise the water level of the sump to a higher degree and that is a real benefit.

Most overflows can handle around 600gph. That doesn't mean you should necessarily have your at that. But if you chose 300gph for a particular reason, just remember that you will most likely have "head loss" so a pump rated at 300gph will not push that if there is, indeed, head loss.

I have an Aqua-C on EV-180 on both of my marine tanks and I'm very happy with them. They are both plumbed outside the sump with their water-pumps inside the sump, but they can just as well be placed inside the sump.

Take a look here...it'll help you chose the pump that's right for you...

http://www.reefcentral.com/calc/hlc2.php

fishtk75 · 02/15/2008, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by xxgmoneyxx
Its a big tank for me to carry around, ill just make my own HOB overflow.

Now i just need to find a nice return pump and a skimmer for my sump. i know i need at least 300gph pump, im planning to have it inside the sump.

does the skimmer need to have a pump too?what skimmer and pump u guys recommend for me?

I use a mag 350 on my 75 and a mag 500 on the 120 I had mag 950 on them but it was too much flow in the sump and bubbles had no time to come to the top from the skimmers. So A 300 gph is ok. You need flow in the tank then in the sump.
Get a big sump you can fit for the skimmer to have room.
here is things to read.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-02/newbie/index.php

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-01/newbie/index.php

I us a ASM and Euroreef skimmer and work very well alot of power pick out skim green out every day.

xxgmoneyxx · 02/15/2008, 11:35 PM

A made up my mind on the pump i will get a Mag-Drive Supreme 3 350 GPH Water Pump, im still looking for a skimmer since i have yet to start on my sump.

is that a good pump anyway?

fishtk75 · 02/16/2008, 05:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by xxgmoneyxx
A made up my mind on the pump i will get a Mag-Drive Supreme 3 350 GPH Water Pump, im still looking for a skimmer since i have yet to start on my sump.

is that a good pump anyway?

Mag -Drive is a very good pump had them for years an no problem.
Now some would said not to do this but I do it and had no problems there is alway a way things happen I put holes as they said to stop the siphon on the return line from the mag pump. after a time it closes up for snail and corline algae that is why put a ball valve and pvc swing check valve with a union right on off the MAG 3. So if you need to clean the pump you use the union take the pump off and the water come down will no happen with the check valve or the ball valve.

http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/...ories/ssid/352

Some out say you need alot of flow from sump to tank no only in the tank with powerheads or close loop system not the sump.
And now they changed there ways and put in books that alot of us know that a long time ago. You need time for things to settle in the sump and for the skimmer to work.

As to skimmer I know the one I have cost more but when I got mine I had a RED SEA and it was loud and did not work rightI would not not go with them. There is alot more now to pick from I have one with a pump that sucks air into the inlet of the pump and make bubbles that is the ones that if you on a budget look for them.Save electric that they use smaller pump then other sucking air in after the pump that you need bigger pump to get the siphon working.

here a place to look
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_Aquari...rs__index.html

Make sure a turn off everything in sump to show that the power is off and all stop to check water level in sump so you can see if all working ok so you do not have a flood.That is way they say get as big you can sump to fit in the bottom of the tank area.

I hope I helped and putting alot to read here but more you know better you are and read alot on things.

I make and will make mistakes too but do not give up.

xxgmoneyxx · 02/17/2008, 10:12 PM

I went to a LFS and they can drill my tank and do an overflow box for 80 dollars so i said ok.

ohh and by the way here is what my tank looks like atm.

[img]http://i30.*******.com/24wdp8k.jpg[/img]

fishtk75 · 02/18/2008, 04:45 PM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by xxgmoneyxx
[B]I went to a LFS and they can drill my tank and do an overflow box for 80 dollars so i said ok.

ohh and by the way here is what my tank looks like atm.

That is good that they will drill the tank for you save a headache.
did you see a sump your going to use?

xxgmoneyxx · 02/18/2008, 06:59 PM

I was planning on making my own sum, but i will prolly end up buying one from another person localy.

Ive been looking for sumps online but they are kinda expensive.

Avi · 02/18/2008, 10:22 PM

They usually are pretty expensive...If you're at all handy, try the DIY forum here in RC....there are plans available there for sump/refugiums that are easy and inexpensive to make and you'll get plenty of help right here in these forums if you undertake to make one.

02/15/2008, 02:14 AM	#1
xxgmoneyxx Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 6	Skimmer and overflow question. Hello guys im new to this hobby and have been reading about it for while now, so i went ahead and bought a 100 gallon tank to start my reef. Anyway i haven't had a chance to read up on skimmers so i need some recommendations on which and where to buy one. Also my tank does not have an overflow i wanted to make one my self, since i will be making my own sump, but i didn't find any articles on how to make one, also don't feel comfortable drilling the tank so if there is anyway to make an un-expensive way to make one with out drilling i would appreciate it if you can point me to the instructions. I will keep doing my research on the matter. Thanx in advance. G.

02/15/2008, 06:39 PM	#8
Avi Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Westchester County, NY Posts: 7,327	The skimmer and the tank/sump-circulation pump really should have seperate water-pumps. I'd recommend the kind I use on both of my marine tanks...It's an Oceanic. It is already drilled so you can, if your configuration has room for it, plumb one or the other of the pumps outside of the sump so there's more room inside the sump and there's less heat transfer into your systems water. I did make one very simple modification on the sumps, though, which is just a piece of glass that enables me to raise the water level of the sump to a higher degree and that is a real benefit. Most overflows can handle around 600gph. That doesn't mean you should necessarily have your at that. But if you chose 300gph for a particular reason, just remember that you will most likely have "head loss" so a pump rated at 300gph will not push that if there is, indeed, head loss. I have an Aqua-C on EV-180 on both of my marine tanks and I'm very happy with them. They are both plumbed outside the sump with their water-pumps inside the sump, but they can just as well be placed inside the sump. Take a look here...it'll help you chose the pump that's right for you... http://www.reefcentral.com/calc/hlc2.php __________________ I'd keep the whole ocean if my den were big enough Current Tank Info: 120 gallon reef with 210 lbs. of live rock, Aqua-C EV180 Skimmer, Aquactinic double 250W MH with blue plus t5 support; 58 gallon freshwater planted tank using CO2 and T5s; 30-gallon cube with a few fancy goldfish; and a 110 gallon FOWLR

02/18/2008, 10:22 PM	#15
Avi Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Westchester County, NY Posts: 7,327	They usually are pretty expensive...If you're at all handy, try the DIY forum here in RC....there are plans available there for sump/refugiums that are easy and inexpensive to make and you'll get plenty of help right here in these forums if you undertake to make one. __________________ I'd keep the whole ocean if my den were big enough Current Tank Info: 120 gallon reef with 210 lbs. of live rock, Aqua-C EV180 Skimmer, Aquactinic double 250W MH with blue plus t5 support; 58 gallon freshwater planted tank using CO2 and T5s; 30-gallon cube with a few fancy goldfish; and a 110 gallon FOWLR

02/15/2008, 02:38 AM	#2
reefbegood Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Kennewick WA Posts: 220	http://randystacye.com/diy_overflow.htm

02/15/2008, 10:53 AM	#3
xxgmoneyxx Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 6	Thanx ill get started on that today.

02/15/2008, 11:57 AM	#5
smalls383 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Saratoga, CA Posts: 483	Yes you can buy an overflow that hangs on the side of the tank....However, you will regret this later when your tank is up and running and you think to yourself....Why the hell did I not spend the $20 to get the tank drilled. It is well worth is because overflow boxes, the hang on the back ones, do not work very well. In tank overflow boxes are great becuase they dont have a siphon that will break ....and they skinm the top of the water. In end, just get it drilled. Call all of your LFS until you find one that will drill it, took me about 5 calls and $20. Then another 50 for the custom overflow box for my 54G corner.....

02/15/2008, 04:31 PM	#7
xxgmoneyxx Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 6	Its a big tank for me to carry around, ill just make my own HOB overflow. Now i just need to find a nice return pump and a skimmer for my sump. i know i need at least 300gph pump, im planning to have it inside the sump. does the skimmer need to have a pump too?what skimmer and pump u guys recommend for me?

02/15/2008, 11:35 PM	#10
xxgmoneyxx Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 6	A made up my mind on the pump i will get a Mag-Drive Supreme 3 350 GPH Water Pump, im still looking for a skimmer since i have yet to start on my sump. is that a good pump anyway?

02/17/2008, 10:12 PM	#12
xxgmoneyxx Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 6	I went to a LFS and they can drill my tank and do an overflow box for 80 dollars so i said ok. ohh and by the way here is what my tank looks like atm. [img]http://i30.*******.com/24wdp8k.jpg[/img]

02/18/2008, 04:45 PM	#13
fishtk75 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: PA Posts: 1,530	[QUOTE]Originally posted by xxgmoneyxx [B]I went to a LFS and they can drill my tank and do an overflow box for 80 dollars so i said ok. ohh and by the way here is what my tank looks like atm. That is good that they will drill the tank for you save a headache. did you see a sump your going to use?

02/18/2008, 06:59 PM	#14
xxgmoneyxx Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 6	I was planning on making my own sum, but i will prolly end up buying one from another person localy. Ive been looking for sumps online but they are kinda expensive.