Building a Sump...help?

[wolverine57]

I purchase a New 55G Glass Tank to be used as a sump.

Measurements: 48 1/4"x 12 3/4"x 21"
A hole will be drilled for a Reeflo Snapper/Dart Hybrid
Skimmer: BM NAC7 Protein Cone Skimmer

Need area for the skimmer & Refugium (LR /Chaeto or Bioballs) Basically I need three section.
Taking all this into consideration, I have a few question and appreciate any advice.

Question:
1) How many baffles recommended and how should I place the baffles?
2) The tank is 21" tall. So what height should the baffles be cut.
3) How much space sho I allowed for the refugium, skimmer and the return side.
4) Should I put a check valve?

If I left something out, and you any of you have any thoughts please feel free to comment.

Thanks
Johnny

 

[redfishbluefish]

First off, I believe all 55 g tanks are tempered glass all the way around and therefore can not be drilled.


As far as sizes of areas, your skimmer section will be decided by the footprint of you skimmer.

Number of baffles will be a minimum of three…one to separate refugium to skimmer section; minimum of two for a bubble trap into the return section.

To better answer your questions, I have a few for you.


How big is the DT?
How many drains are coming into the sump?
What size return pump are you using?

 

[wolverine57]

Skimmer is a Bubble Magus NAC7 cone footprint 9.2" x 8.5"x 19.6 "

The DT is a Clown Breeding System, which is currently being built.
1) The DT is a (6)x 10G tanks
2) One Drain
3) Return Pump Size: Reeflo Snapper/Dart Hybrid (External)

The bottom of the tank is tempered, will be drilling on the size

 

[redfishbluefish]

Well I’ve heard different things. One was that all 55’s are tempered all the way around. I’ve also heard that only Marineland 55’s are tempered all around while AGA/Aqueon only have tempered bottoms. You might want to double check by using THIS simple method. I actually use polarized sunglasses with my netbook opened to a blank Word page. It works great.

Your pump scares me…..if I’m not mistaken, that’s something in the area of 2600 gph, or even higher. That water is going to be ripping through that 12 inch wide sump, so I’m not sure what to tell you. I don’t know how you can plumb that and handle that volume of water in a 12 inch wide sump. Niagara falls comes to mind.

As they say on Shark Tank, “I’m out!” This is beyond my knowledge….six, ten gallon tanks, one 55 gallon sump, and a mother-a$$ pump! Sorry.

 

[jgraz]

Well I’ve heard different things. One was that all 55’s are tempered all the way around. I’ve also heard that only Marineland 55’s are tempered all around while AGA/Aqueon only have tempered bottoms.

AGA/Aqueon is also tempering all their larger tanks now. I believe the 55 was included in that. If its a newer tank check the sticker. There will be either a small sticker on the bottom stating that the panel is tempered, or a larger sticker with orange banner stating not to drill anywhere. That is from Aqueon directly.