Want sumps for my 20 and 75 gallon reefs
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Forum Name: Equipment
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URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=56734
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Topic: Want sumps for my 20 and 75 gallon reefs
Posted By: phys
Subject: Want sumps for my 20 and 75 gallon reefs
Date Posted: May 27 2012 at 1:05am
| Hey all, i want to set up some sumps for my two tanks. I know you can have macro algae, dsb, filter socks, skimmers, heaters, and pods in it. What i want to know is whats your thoughts on a chambered design vs. Non-chambered, cleaning, what are maintenance practices, and what you use for pumps and set up as well as how to get the water out without drilling or having an overflow already set in place. I wanna do it right the first time and reduce initial struggling and frustration. Thanks for your input!! |
Replies:
Posted By: laynframe
Date Posted: May 27 2012 at 12:04pm
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Im a huge fan of doing it right the first time! Chambered sumps are better imo because they reduce micro bubbles and also give you places to do top off water and place a skimmer and even a refuge. Pumps are you get what you pay for.. you go cheap youll replace pumps all the time. Sicce and ehiam pumps are really good pumps with a good history. Keep the plumbing simple, and plumb for water changes where you valve off return water to the tank and open a valve that goes to your waste water container. Overflows are kinda a must have, not a fan of the syphon type, but they work. Check out http://www.elite-aquatics.net" rel="nofollow - www.elite-aquatics.net and see tylers sumps for ideas. Good luck! ------------- The time we enjoy wasting isn't wasted time!!!! |
Posted By: Adam Blundell
Date Posted: May 27 2012 at 7:59pm
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I too like chambered. I currently have both on my tanks right now. There is some serious flexibility in not having chambers. But the advantages of having a set water level for your skimmer are fantastic. And depending on how you set up your auto top off that can make a difference. Also, I'm not a fan of external pumps for returns. Despite the draw backs of submersible pumps (heat, cost, etc) that fact that they won't leak all over the floor one day is worth it to me. Adam ------------- Come to a meeting, they�re fun! |
Posted By: Elite-Aquatics
Date Posted: May 27 2012 at 10:22pm
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I would definitely recommend a baffled sump. I don't beleive there is any reason not to baffle a sump. The main reason you see baffled sumps is for 2 reasons, 1 having a set water depth from a baffle for your skimmer is a must with almost every skimmer you are going to put in the sump. 2 a baffled bubble trap works great for reducing micro bubbles from your skimmer and also your durso stand pipe (if any). Almost all skimmers availble today have a recommend water depth the mfg. recommends they sit in, the more stable the water level is the more "set and forget" the skimmer is going to be. If you don't do a baffle for your skimmer the water level inside the whole sump is going to fluctuate due to evaporation and you are going to have a skimmer that you are constantly adjusting to make it skim well. I would recommend a tank that has an internal overflow as well, stay away from syphon type exteral overflows they are nothing but problems. ------------- Premium aquarium filtration! |
Posted By: CapnMorgan
Date Posted: May 27 2012 at 11:10pm
Great reply Tyler! I completely agree! ------------- Steve http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40637&PID=356246" rel="nofollow - My Old 180G Mixed Reef Currently: 120G Wavefront Mixed 29G Seahorse & Softies Running ReefAngel Plus x2 435-8 |
Elite-Aquatics wrote:Posted By: phys
Date Posted: May 29 2012 at 3:04am
| is there a way to make an internal overflow without drilling? Seems like a no to me... |
Posted By: Elite-Aquatics
Date Posted: May 29 2012 at 7:56am
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Nope, have to drill. Drilling is pretty easy though. ------------- Premium aquarium filtration! |