Skimmer for 180 Build

[Dowtish]

I did not drill a hole in my return in pipe in the DT. I used locline to position it to where it will break the siphon anyways. The hole is not full proof, because of algae, and snails or anything else that might clog the little hole. You should look into finding a cheap 55 gallon tank on craigs list, and make your baffles to the height that your sump will have 5-6 inches of of space to fill up if the power goes out. I can point you to a great glass shop in Mboro that will cut you the baffles for really cheap.

 

[palvyre]

I am not a very DIY guy when it comes to the sumps and what not. I can build a PC no problem . I could purchase the sump that goes with the DT from glasscages.com, but I want a refug area.

 

[palvyre]

I believe glasscages allows you to customize the sump. So maybe I'll just have them build me one to order.

 

[Dowtish]

I hear ya...I am not "handy" by any means, but siliconing some glass baffles is really easy. And you can custom design it the way you want. And it will save you a lot of money. But if you got it in the budget, then try to find something that will have a big enough fuge to actually accomplish what it's designed to do, and leave enough space for equipment.

 

[pickupman66]

GC can custom build a sump. so that would not be an issue. you can make the Fuge area whatever size you want and spec it out as you want. go with a 75 as it is 18wx18tx48l vs the 55 which is 12wx18tx48l. both will fit nicely under a 180 stand (mine came with one like that). If it were me, on a tank of that length, Make your return area 12" wide, with 4-6" of bubble trap, fuge area 12" wide and Skimmer area 18" wide.\

This would give you a rough idea.

 

[gmoney243]

+1 on making a nice sized return area .. i think a lot of people when designing overlook the return and end up regretting it.

 

[palvyre]

Thanks for the info. Very helpful.

 

[palvyre]

Which part in your diagram is the bubble trap? The three vertical baffles ?

 

[Dowtish]

Correct. The bubbles have to travel between the baffles which is hard to do, given that they have to go up and then down by the way the water flows

 

[pickupman66]

YUP, if you make that area too small, then you end up having to add a little water each day vs weekly additions. unless you have an auto top off.

 

[palvyre]

What is the ideal water depth for the XP3000 ? That will tell me how deep to have the skimmer chamber on my sump.

 

[pickupman66]

Most will put tthem on stands so they can fine tune them.

 

[palvyre]

Ah okay. Found a nice acrylic adjustable stand. Will use that.