New 55g questions on build

[Seth Ward]

Hello. I currently have a 20g tall saltwater aquarium running with a canister rated at 90g and an orbit LED strip light. I also have a power head rated for 30g. Inside I have two clowns a small Duncan a green polyp and a small rainbow bta. Last week I purchased a 55g long tank on craigs list for $75 which I intend to build a stand for. I will be moving everything into that and buying a protein skimmer and another small led strip light, more live rock (how does the dry live rock work and the curing process? I know live rock means but how does it become live?), sand, another heater, power head etc. I also have a standard 10g tank that I wanted to make into a small sump to hide equipment and possibly a small refug. chamber.

My questions relate to plumbing and any information will be greatly appreciated. I have done some research and am familiar with the hob overflow. I have read about a brand called live reef who claims to be the safest product on the market however after watching videos on how to drill holes (I have some construction experience) assuming my glass is not tempered which I will test shortly. I think this may be a safer and even a cheaper route. I need an idiots guide to this or something close to that, lol. Step by step and even recommended products like return pumps, small protein skimmer. Sump design. Anything and everything will help. What kind of flow rate should I have? Can I use my canister filter in sump? what chamber should I run it in. If I do a drilled tank and I drill the bottom how do I hide the return? If the return is at the bottom how do I know there is proper oxidation since theres no surface water agitation. I am just overwhelmed with questions on this, lol. But really I need some guidance with this project. Thanks Guys.

 

[melypr1985]

I just went through this. Here's what I learned. First off a 10 gallon is really small... like REALY small. It was very difficult for me to have a refuge and a skimmer in the 10 sump I built and I only had a 40 gallon tank. So a skimmer for a 55 would probably not fit in a 10 gallon anyway unless it was the only thing in there. I had to build a custom one from acrylic to be able to fit the skimmer I wanted. I would suggest using a 20 gallon long or bigger if you can. That way you'll have room for the skimmer and fuge and return pump.

If your going to drill the tank and have a sump, I would suggest ditching the canister filter all together. You said your going to get a skimmer and have a fuge. Maybe just put a filter sock under the drain for some mechanical filtration (just change and rinse it often).

Since you want to drill the tank, I would give this advice (I just did this too)... If you drill more than one hole next to each other, drill one from the outside and the other from the inside. Since your already set up to drill the tank, why not drill a hole for the return near the top?

I hope that helps

 

[Seth Ward]

Thank you for your response. I was concerned that the 10 gallon would be too small, however the 20 gallon tall I believe would be difficult as well since the bottom surface area would not allow for many chambers. Any info you can give me on how you built your acrylic sump, perhaps that might be a better route, also how did you chamber it? Also I know the concept of the overflow box but how is the flow controlled when you drill the aquarium?

 

[mr.reeferman]

rubbermaid containers also work for sump and are relatively cheap if you want to save up for a better tank for sump this would give you a good temp option

 

[Seth Ward]

that's a cool idea also.. would you use plastic baffles?

 

[melypr1985]

Thank you for your response. I was concerned that the 10 gallon would be too small, however the 20 gallon tall I believe would be difficult as well since the bottom surface area would not allow for many chambers. Any info you can give me on how you built your acrylic sump, perhaps that might be a better route, also how did you chamber it? Also I know the concept of the overflow box but how is the flow controlled when you drill the aquarium?

That's why I mentioned the 20 gallon Long. It will be easier to use.

The acrylic sump I built cost me about $75 for all the pieces and that included having a plastics company here in dallas cut all the pieces for me. I measured the space inside my stand and just started with the first chamber which would house my skimmer then added space for the second chamber which was the refuge then added the third for the return pump. I took all the measurements to the plastics company and they cut the pieces for me and I used the weld-on they provided and assembled the pieces. Easy peasy. I'll take a photo and post it in a minute.

 

[melypr1985]

This is what i built. Its still up and running until Thursday.

 

[Reef2zach]

I think you should just save your money and use the canister you currently have. If its rated for 90 it should be more then enough to keep your tank clean. I'm running one canister filter rated for 90 gallons with a HOB reef octopus skimmer on my 75g and my water is crystal clear. Your also gonna want 2 power heads that are way bigger. the one you currently have isn't nearly enough flow. Plus drilling a tank if you don't have the right tools can cost you the tank. Its by no means rocket science but you could end up blowing the tank apart. Just FYI

 

[Daytonareefing]

Here is mine. I run zeovit so I don't use a refugium. But I should have live rock in the sunp to help clean the water.

 

[Paulday]

This week pet co has 1 dallor 1 gallon sale so for twenty dallor said u can get 20 long

 

[Seth Ward]

Thanks for the replies I will definitely take all your information into consideration before continuing on this project. I am however certain that I want a sump, not because I don't think the canister will support it, but because I am attached to the idea of hiding all my equipment. SO, assuming that everything goes smoothly and I do decide to go with a larger sump(found a 30 on Craig's for 20) and I either overflow or drill (most likely the former considering I am hesitant to drill) what type of flow will I be looking for and what equipment should I use to support that flow (including protein skimmer). Oh.. and Daytona that set up looks intimidatingly complex to me.