Internal Filter Design for 20 Long Tank

[aKlevans]

Hey all,
I just got done designing the filter for my up-and-coming 20 gallon long reef tank.
It will be made with black acrylic and siliconed together.

Here's a pic of just the filter with dimensions:

Alright, lets break it down.

The first chamber is the overflow chamber, nothing too special here. The water then flows through then first baffle through the bottom.

The next chamber is the Bio-media/protein skimmer chamber. I plan on first using it as a place for biological filter media, and then replacing it with a protein skimmer once I can get my hands on one (they're kind of expensive). The protein skimmer I had in mind can be found here. I have the water level in this chamber going no higher than 10" so that the protein skimmer works the best and the collection cup is hidden.

The third chamber is for the heater. Nothing special here. Moving on.

The last chamber is the return chamber (obviously). I will be using the Eheim Power Compact 300. Its rated at 80 gph, but since its such a small tank, and I will be using some pretty high power wave makers, I think I'll be ok (but let me know if I'm not).

I'm kinda knew to this whole DIY Filter thing, so let me know if I'm doing something wrong. All comments and suggestions are appreciated!

 

[jsker]

Great concept.

 

[lion king]

I may be wrong but you might have some of the baffles reversed, Looking at the way the all in ones are designed, the first baffle after chamber 1 will actually set the water line. So that baffle will need to dump out at the top, that way you could also fashion a media basket in chamber 2 so the water would flow over and through all the media. In the all in ones we usually just put the heater in chamber one. Last baffle before return pump might want to have a under then over short baffle before placement of pump, I'd leave room for ato in the return chamber. Take a look at the back of a biocube if you get a chance, excellent simple 3 chamber design.

 

[aKlevans]

Alright, here's the updated filter:

The second chamber is fore the media basket, and the last chamber has room for an auto top off.
I also made the filter a little bit wider just for a better fit.

Also, for an auto top off, I was looking at the Tunze Osmolator Nano. I know it isn't as good as the regular osmolator since it only has the one float switch but it fits my budget well. Any suggestions?

 

[McArcher]

Alright, here's the updated filter:

The second chamber is fore the media basket, and the last chamber has room for an auto top off.
I also made the filter a little bit wider just for a better fit.

Also, for an auto top off, I was looking at the Tunze Osmolator Nano. I know it isn't as good as the regular osmolator since it only has the one float switch but it fits my budget well. Any suggestions?

Is there any reason why you can't put the media basket in the first chamber with flow out the bottom? If the bottom of the first chamber is closed, you'll have a detritus trap/ dead zone at the bottom.

 

[aKlevans]

Is there any reason why you can't put the media basket in the first chamber with flow out the bottom? If the bottom of the first chamber is closed, you'll have a detritus trap/ dead zone at the bottom.

I was going to put the heater in the first chamber.
Also:

the first baffle after chamber 1 will actually set the water line.

I guess i'll have to clean out the first chamber often if I kept my design
I'm kinda new to this, so If I'm completely wrong, tell me.

 

[aKlevans]

Alright, new design:

I think this solves the issue of having detritus buildup in the first chamber.
I also replaced all of the baffles with bubble-trap style under/over baffles. I also made the filter 1/2 inch thinner, so now it is 1/4 inch thicker than the original design.

 

[lion king]

There can be alot of options that many people may debate on, but this is the one that matters most. The 1st baffle after the intake will st the water line for the tank

 

[aKlevans]

le after the intake will st the water line for the tank

Im not quite sure why this is necessary, can you explain? Thanks

 

[lion king]

I may have made it more confusing, sorry. Your intake slots will set the water level in your tank. But you do have to fashion the baffles inside your filter section to maintain a consistent water level for your protein skimmer and ato.

 

[aKlevans]

Ok, thanks for the advice.