Need help with new setup

[Erick Merfeld]

Currently I have a 55 up and running with a canister. I can't stand the canister. So I bought a 20 long and a 29. 1$ gallon at Petco. Going to attempt to make my own sump just a don't know if I should use 20 or 29.

Other questions for 55 setup:

Return pump suggestions

Skimmer suggestion

Overflow suggestion

Thanks in advance!

 

[Mo-sachi]

The size of either tank will be a great benefit to your 55g as far as H2O volume. If you have the room, I would suggest the 29g. You want to maximize water volume. It also affords you more room for sump design and equipment.

I would suggest to do a search the threads on here and look online for ideas. There are many out there. When designing my sump I did a ton of research and reading until I found a design that was both functional and to my likeness. Have FUN.

 

[Josh King]

I have a 55 with another 55 I use as the sump. I siliconed acrylic baffles in the sump. Some say not to do but works fine.
Aquamax co1 skimmer - i like very much.
Return is a lifeguard aquatics 3000 - around 600gph and adjustable flow. Running for 6 months no problems.
Overflow - cpr 90. Toms aqualifter pump provides siphon. If the hole plugs to the pump and you get air build up in overflow, your tank will overflow. But keep an eye on it and it works well.

I do not recommend the SCWD or switching current water device. I bought one and it worked for about two days. I have the 1 inch plumbing model. Now water just comes in one side of the tank. I will re plumb at some point.
Hope this helps.

 

[Erick Merfeld]

The size of either tank will be a great benefit to your 55g as far as H2O volume. If you have the room, I would suggest the 29g. You want to maximize water volume. It also affords you more room for sump design and equipment.

I would suggest to do a search the threads on here and look online for ideas. There are many out there. When designing my sump I did a ton of research and reading until I found a design that was both functional and to my likeness. Have FUN.

Do you have pictures of your sump?

 

[Mo-sachi]

Will post when I get home. I have the Google Sketch design. I am in the process of DIY-ing it now. It won't be the prettiest, being my first acrylic project from a sump previously built. But I think it will function quite well.

 

[Mo-sachi]

Here is the layout. Let me know if you have any questions. I will try to answer promptly.

 

[Erick Merfeld]

How do you like the return as the middle chamber? I don't know much about those setups but know more about return as last chamber.

 

[Mo-sachi]

How do you like the return as the middle chamber? I don't know much about those setups but know more about return as last chamber.

I haven't finished with it yet, so I can't truly answer your question. I designed it to be in the middle because I have dual overflows with returns on each one. My theory is for pressure balancing and cleanliness of plumbing. I had a sump a few years ago, custom made with a center return, but the chamber ran long ways, not short how it runs on this design. It worked very well. So I am hoping this design achieves similar results.

Edit: I am going to tee the drain from tank with valve to Fuge for slower flow rate. the water coming into the drain area will be full open, then it will flow over baffle into the poly chamber, then uder the poly chamber baffle for an "up-flow" through LR Rubble rock, finally O-U-O bubble trap baffles and back to DT. This allows my refugium to flow at a slow pace while supplying copepods and other such nutrients to DT.

 

[Erick Merfeld]

I see. Interesting. I hope all works out well for you. What size tank are you setting up? Also, what skimmer and return pump will you be running? Can you over skim a tank?

 

[Mo-sachi]

Thank you. I have an acrylic 225g (72x30x24) will be running a DCT12000 Jebao return complimented by 2 RW-15 power heads. The skimmer is also a DIY project. Will be counter current design. 6" acrylic tubing 30" tall, Snailman's design with a scicce 300gph+/- pump for it. I do not think one can over skim a tank. The skimmer will simply pull what it can and if there isn't anything left to skim (highly doubtful), the foam fractioning will be clearer...

 

[Erick Merfeld]

DIY sump? I have never seen one of those before. Interesting if like to see pictures of the final project when done. I'm thinking about get the rw-8 2 of them for my 55 so maybe a return from them would be good then too