Your Opinion please ...

tspatrick · 03/06/2006, 07:49 PM

Hello:

New to the hobby. Please give me your opinions and ideas on the following projected setup of the main plumbing.

* Main tank: 72 gallon (glass,bow front)
* Tank has 2 holes drilled in botton of each back corner.
* DIY Sump/refugium tank: Sump Tank
* Both holes in main tank will have DursoStandPipe for overflow surrounded by an acrylic box w/teeth at top to keep back critters.
* 2 One inch drain lines to sump tank, one line going to intake area (Left side of sump tank) where a skimmer will reside. The other drain line will dump in to refugium area (Right side of sump tank). Of course the majority of the water will dump in to skimmer area.
* The return (Middle of sump tank) will either have a submersible pump or drain to an external pump (Haven't decided), then return to main tank through a 1" line, up and over back side of main tank and disperse through a DIY spray bar.

Please keep me your opinions.

Thanks, Patrick

mikenpam · 03/06/2006, 08:48 PM

If both drains are 1" will you have some sort of valve to ensure majority of flow is to the fuge? It sounds like a nice set-up. I have a submesible pump for my skimmer and it really adds alot of heat to my tank. My return pump is external.

ChunksInClemson · 03/06/2006, 09:01 PM

sounds awesome!!!

tspatrick · 03/06/2006, 09:36 PM

I was going to use inline ball valves to reduce the flow to the refugium and another one on the skimmer area just in case the drain flows faster than the pump can return. Also is nice to shut them off completely in case of repair work is needed.

How well does your external pump work? Is it loud and does it get hot or vibrate?

Thanks, Patrick

mikenpam · 03/06/2006, 10:09 PM

It is totally quite and doesn't get hot. I would think most quality brands would be that way. My pump is a Posiedon PS2. I have a Mag 5 on my skimmer and it does get warm.

tspatrick · 03/06/2006, 10:26 PM

Would you recommend the skimmer be placed in the sump or beside it? I still have not decided on a skimmer, still researching.

Thanks, Patrick

mikenpam · 03/06/2006, 11:04 PM

My sump/fuge combo has a slot for a small skimmer. I have an AquaC Remora Pro which fits in it nicely; however, I can barely remove the collection cup from under the stank. The lesson learned is to make sure things fit first before purchasing if possible. I actually have to run a chiller due to the heat of the Mag 5 and my MH lamps.

tspatrick · 03/07/2006, 06:00 AM

Mike,

Thanks for your comments and suggestions. Chiller? Do you mean a fan bvlowing over water as it passes through sump? I have heard of this and seen this as well but it sounds very contradicting. We heat the water and then chill it. Wierd.

Thanks, Patrick

mikenpam · 03/07/2006, 11:51 PM

I tried to use a fan but up here in Fairbanks I wanted to keep my evaporation as low as possible as it ices up my windows during the winter. A chiller is a small refrigeration device that water flows through and is cooled as needed. Try a fan at first as it is quite a bit cheaper than going with a chiller.

03/06/2006, 07:49 PM	#1
tspatrick Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 34	Your Opinion please ... Hello: New to the hobby. Please give me your opinions and ideas on the following projected setup of the main plumbing. * Main tank: 72 gallon (glass,bow front) * Tank has 2 holes drilled in botton of each back corner. * DIY Sump/refugium tank: Sump Tank * Both holes in main tank will have DursoStandPipe for overflow surrounded by an acrylic box w/teeth at top to keep back critters. * 2 One inch drain lines to sump tank, one line going to intake area (Left side of sump tank) where a skimmer will reside. The other drain line will dump in to refugium area (Right side of sump tank). Of course the majority of the water will dump in to skimmer area. * The return (Middle of sump tank) will either have a submersible pump or drain to an external pump (Haven't decided), then return to main tank through a 1" line, up and over back side of main tank and disperse through a DIY spray bar. Please keep me your opinions. Thanks, Patrick

03/06/2006, 09:01 PM	#3
ChunksInClemson Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Anderson, SC Posts: 824	sounds awesome!!! __________________ Me to my brother-"Dude, you don't need to spend 75 dollars on a shirt! My brother to me-"Man, you just spent 100 dollars on some rocks" Me and him- "Laughs" Current Tank Info: 29g, a pair of true percs so far. Tank is newer!

03/06/2006, 08:48 PM	#2
mikenpam Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Fairbanks, AK Posts: 326	If both drains are 1" will you have some sort of valve to ensure majority of flow is to the fuge? It sounds like a nice set-up. I have a submesible pump for my skimmer and it really adds alot of heat to my tank. My return pump is external.

03/06/2006, 09:36 PM	#4
tspatrick Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 34	I was going to use inline ball valves to reduce the flow to the refugium and another one on the skimmer area just in case the drain flows faster than the pump can return. Also is nice to shut them off completely in case of repair work is needed. How well does your external pump work? Is it loud and does it get hot or vibrate? Thanks, Patrick

03/06/2006, 10:09 PM	#5
mikenpam Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Fairbanks, AK Posts: 326	It is totally quite and doesn't get hot. I would think most quality brands would be that way. My pump is a Posiedon PS2. I have a Mag 5 on my skimmer and it does get warm.

03/06/2006, 10:26 PM	#6
tspatrick Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 34	Would you recommend the skimmer be placed in the sump or beside it? I still have not decided on a skimmer, still researching. Thanks, Patrick

03/06/2006, 11:04 PM	#7
mikenpam Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Fairbanks, AK Posts: 326	My sump/fuge combo has a slot for a small skimmer. I have an AquaC Remora Pro which fits in it nicely; however, I can barely remove the collection cup from under the stank. The lesson learned is to make sure things fit first before purchasing if possible. I actually have to run a chiller due to the heat of the Mag 5 and my MH lamps.

03/07/2006, 06:00 AM	#8
tspatrick Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 34	Mike, Thanks for your comments and suggestions. Chiller? Do you mean a fan bvlowing over water as it passes through sump? I have heard of this and seen this as well but it sounds very contradicting. We heat the water and then chill it. Wierd. Thanks, Patrick

03/07/2006, 11:51 PM	#9
mikenpam Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Fairbanks, AK Posts: 326	I tried to use a fan but up here in Fairbanks I wanted to keep my evaporation as low as possible as it ices up my windows during the winter. A chiller is a small refrigeration device that water flows through and is cooled as needed. Try a fan at first as it is quite a bit cheaper than going with a chiller.