Brandon's WTH was I thinking 125 gallon madness

[Brando457]

first chamber before the skimmer. So the chamber where the water falls into I'd have sand and some LR or w.e and the sand would be kept in place by that first baffle before the skimmer.

 

[mfisher2112]

You might wanna check and see what the constant water level for that skimmer needs to be. For instance, my Coralife, the pump needs to be 3" below the water surface, so I have it set up in the first chamber where the water level never changes.

If you do not have the proper water level in that chamber, or if the water level in that chamber will fluctuate with evaporation, your skimmer will fluctuate in performance, or not function right at all.

Just a thought.

 

[9supratt4]

first chamber before the skimmer. So the chamber where the water falls into I'd have sand and some LR or w.e and the sand would be kept in place by that first baffle before the skimmer.

That could work...but don't use any sand....just LR.

But like mfisher mentioned....you should fill the sump and run it to see how it works and where each water level is in each chamber before you make any modifications or anything.

 

[Brando457]

How would I go about testif it? Just fill it up with water?

 

[9supratt4]

Yes, but it will be hard to figure out until you get the return pumps in there.

 

[Brando457]

Yes, but it will be hard to figure out until you get the return pumps in there.

The skimmer is said to be in at least 6-10" of water the baffle is probably about 6" high, which would lead me to believe the water level "should" stay at that level.

Hmm well that sucks. Maybe I'm better off buying a tank and just making my own sump.

I say this considering that to have my returns I am unsure if I am going to go internal or external, even then I'm not sure which pump to even get.

If I built my own sump how would I even know what the water level would be where the skimmer is?

 

[9supratt4]

If you build your own sump...you'll be able to do whatever you want with it. The level of the water all depends on the height of the sump...the height of the baffles, etc.

What are you adding a refugium for?? Is it for nutrient export or pod cultivation?? Or both??

I have no refugium on my tank....Sure in order to keep my nitrates down I need to do frequent water changes, but now i'm vodka dosing ;D

 

[Brando457]

I wanted it for nutrient export and pod cultivation, ultimately I want to be able to keep a mandarin at some point after my tank is established.

the sump is 36x12x16H

First baffle is 4" high and sits on the bottom of sump, the second baffle is 7" and is 2" off the bottom, the third is also 4" high and sits on teh bottom followed by a 7" 2" from bottom. Confusing?

The baffles are spaced 3" apart.

 

[9supratt4]

I'd have to either get a better picture from the side, a drawn picture or see the sump in person....but, I'm also thinking....you can probably adjust the height of the water with taller baffles....maybe.

But if you do, do that, then you just have to be sure that if you have a power outage you have enough unused space in the sump for the DT to drain into it without overflowing the sump.

Also...are those 3 open holes on the right side??

 

[Brando457]

I'd have to either get a better picture from the side, a drawn picture or see the sump in person....but, I'm also thinking....you can probably adjust the height of the water with taller baffles....maybe.

But if you do, do that, then you just have to be sure that if you have a power outage you have enough unused space in the sump for the DT to drain into it without overflowing the sump.

Also...are those 3 open holes on the right side??

You're welcome to come by anytime and see the madness in progress.

Yes those are 3 open holes on the right side, jwcurry ran an external skimmer, and I believe 2 return pumps. <not 100% sure on pumps>

 

[Brando457]

fuge/plumbing plan

 

[Jcurry@wesketch]

Why not just feed the fuge from the overflow and eliminate the pump?

I ran my tank with 3 external pumps & an external skimmer. The 3 bulkheads were for the 3 pumps, 2 for returns to the DT & 1 for the skimmer. After installing and Oceanmotions super squirt I disconnected the second return pump.

 

[9supratt4]

I agree with Jcurry.

T off the overflow with a ball valve to drain into the fuge and get rid of the pump.

 

[mfisher2112]

Yep. I agree. I'd T that return pump off to the fuge too. Since you are oversizing it and will have to dial it back anyway, use some of that extra flow to feed the fuge. 1 less piece of equipment to worry about.

 

[9supratt4]

Yep. I agree. I'd T that return pump off to the fuge too. Since you are oversizing it and will have to dial it back anyway, use some of that extra flow to feed the fuge. 1 less piece of equipment to worry about.

Would you T off the return line or the drain line?

 

[Brando457]

Yep. I agree. I'd T that return pump off to the fuge too. Since you are oversizing it and will have to dial it back anyway, use some of that extra flow to feed the fuge. 1 less piece of equipment to worry about.

I'm with steve I'm confused what you mEan herE.

 

[mfisher2112]

Actually, youre right. T'ing the overflow might be a better flow for the fuge.

 

[9supratt4]

Brandon....The one problem you are going to find is that no one wants to drill a 10 gallon. No one has much luck with them since the glass is so thin....at least that's what the guy at HP told me.

 

[mfisher2112]

If you have the space for it, I have a 15 gallon tank you can have that is drilled, but it's drilled on the bottom. Two holes, one on each side.

 

[mfisher2112]

Yep. I agree. I'd T that return pump off to the fuge too. Since you are oversizing it and will have to dial it back anyway, use some of that extra flow to feed the fuge. 1 less piece of equipment to worry about.

I'm with steve I'm confused what you mEan herE.

Don't mind me, I'm retarded today for some reason.