Unhappy With Current Setup

[jira]

Hello all.. I'm a fairly new reefer and have had my tank set up a few months. It's a 20 gallon long with a tidal 35, aquaclear 110 converted to a fuge, and a biocube skimmer, and a duetto ato. Long story short, it's packed to the bring with equipment!

I want to move to a sump, but have never used one before and want some advice. I have a cabinet that can fit a 10g, maybe 15g underneath. Here's some questions I have:

1) I'd like to use an overflow box and was looking at the Nano version from marine depot. It's rated up to 200gph and was wondering what kind of return pump I'd need for that? The lift would be about 4 feet.

2) can I continue to use my fuge on the sump instead? I don't want to set up a sump/fuge combo with baffles

3) what's is the simplest filter to set up on a small sump? I'd like to stop using the tidal eventually.

4) I can and should move my ato and heater to the sump?

5) finally, what safety mechanism would I use to ensure the siphon doesn't break on the overflow box. I know a hole drilled an inch below water level on the return to display will help back siphoning, but what about the supply?

Thank you all!!

 

[Jon Fishman]

what size tank do you ultimately want? I know there are "limitations" with them, but an all-in-one tank may be a perfect solution for you. The steep up-front cost isn't that bad once you start adding up what goes into setting up a tank!

 

[jira]

what size tank do you ultimately want? I know there are "limitations" with them, but an all-in-one tank may be a perfect solution for you. The steep up-front cost isn't that bad once you start adding up what goes into setting up a tank!

With my current space limitations I can't really have anythinf bigger than what I currently have. I have freshwater tanks that take up most of my space haha.

While I do enjoy the look of the aio tanks, I wanted everything secured in a cabinet below for easier access and to be able to lock the door so my kids can't mess with it. They've already helped me "clean" the glass a few times and had their fingers wiggling around the filters. Also, I think setting everything up piece by piece will give me a better hold on how sumps and everything work!

 

[Jon Fishman]

My RSR Nano was my first foray into AIO’s and it is amazing..... The “sump” on the back is all protected etc. Probably more kid proof than a normal tank with sump actually

 

[jira]

My RSR Nano was my first foray into AIO’s and it is amazing..... The “sump” on the back is all protected etc. Probably more kid proof than a normal tank with sump actually

Did some measuring today of my current stand and was hoping I could upgrade my display to a 29, drill an overflow into it and use the 20 as a sump but my cabinet underneat won't fit the 20. Only a 10g will fit. Worth migrating to a 29 and getting a 10g for a sump? Or simply keep with my 20g and deal with it? I'd like a little more room and removing the equipment, but it'd take some redesign and rearranging.

 

[jira]

My RSR Nano was my first foray into AIO’s and it is amazing..... The “sump” on the back is all protected etc. Probably more kid proof than a normal tank with sump actually

Did some measuring today of my current stand and was hoping I could upgrade my display to a 29, drill an overflow into it and use the 20 as a sump but my cabinet underneat won't fit the 20. Only a 10g will fit. Worth migrating to a 29 and getting a 10g for a sump? Or simply keep with my 20g and deal with it? I'd like a little more room and removing the equipment, but it'd take some redesign and rearranging.

 

[xxkenny90xx]

Definately upgrade to the drilled 29g with the 10g sump. If you decide to use the hob overflow set up on your current tank it will at some point flood your house (ask me how I know...). As for a filter I'm a big fan of just a nice skimmer and lots of chaeto. I also have my drains from my drilled tank going into a milk jug with a bunch of holes drilled in it full of filter floss

 

[xxkenny90xx]

Also yes, definately move the ato and heater to the sump.

 

[xxkenny90xx]

Have you thought about a different type of container for a sump that might fit better than the 20g tank? Like maybe a rubbermaid bin of some kind?

 

[Style185]

Do you have any pics of your current setup? Maybe just tweak what you have... my 40 has a hob penguin and hob skimmer works killer sometime less is more imo..

 

[Mastiffsrule]

First, welcome to reef to reef

#WelcometoR2R

Sounds like you already have quite a nice set up. Lots of good advice too. Bigger is always better, but room and budget are things to consider. Sumps are great to hide equipment and get xtra water volume o help stability. Check out build threads and start your own so we can see progress

 

[Hermie]

1) I'd like to use an overflow box and was looking at the Nano version from marine depot. It's rated up to 200gph and was wondering what kind of return pump I'd need for that? The lift would be about 4 feet.

2) can I continue to use my fuge on the sump instead? I don't want to set up a sump/fuge combo with baffles

3) what's is the simplest filter to set up on a small sump? I'd like to stop using the tidal eventually.

4) I can and should move my ato and heater to the sump?

5) finally, what safety mechanism would I use to ensure the siphon doesn't break on the overflow box. I know a hole drilled an inch below water level on the return to display will help back siphoning, but what about the supply?

1. any return pump rated from 300 to 600 gph should be fine. adjustable is best, ac w/ an adjustment valve or controllable dc pump.
2. yes you can, I run HOB filter on my sump.
3. just put the tidal on the sump
4. sure
5. siphon won't break as long as the siphon tube isn't too big for your return flow rate, when you get to that point, post again on here with which pump and overflow you got. it depends on what your setup is.

 

[jira]

Have you thought about a different type of container for a sump that might fit better than the 20g tank? Like maybe a rubbermaid bin of some kind?

I have, but still wanted to utilize my ac110 fuge, so wanted to have a tank with a rim for it.

I've attached a picture of my setup. Pretty basic as of now, which is why I wanted to adjust before getting any coral.

 

[xxkenny90xx]

1. any return pump rated from 300 to 600 gph should be fine. adjustable is best, ac w/ an adjustment valve or controllable dc pump.
2. yes you can, I run HOB filter on my sump.
3. just put the tidal on the sump
4. sure
5. siphon won't break as long as the siphon tube isn't too big for your return flow rate, when you get to that point, post again on here with which pump and overflow you got. it depends on what your setup is.

I don't know man, there's nothing I hate more in this hobby than hob overflows. They might be great for a year or even 2 but eventually they will fail and flood your house. But that's just my limited experience, maybe others have had better luck. Maybe somebody can recommend a reliable overflow?

 

[xxkenny90xx]

I have, but still wanted to utilize my ac110 fuge, so wanted to have a tank with a rim for it.

I've attached a picture of my setup. Pretty basic as of now, which is why I wanted to adjust before getting any coral.

Very nice tank! A sump will definately clean it up by getting all of that equipment out of sight. How about a pic of that freshwater tank next to it? It looks really cool.

 

[RobW]

What are the exact dimensions of the space that you wish to place a sump?

 

[jira]

What are the exact dimensions of the space that you wish to place a sump?

20 wide x 13 deep x 20 high

 

[jira]

Very nice tank! A sump will definately clean it up by getting all of that equipment out of sight. How about a pic of that freshwater tank next to it? It looks really cool.

Thanks! Its a mess at the moment, but.. Here you go! Lol

 

[RobW]

20 wide x 13 deep x 20 high

Thought I had maybe found one. But it seems an inch too large on one side. 14x14x15 it was a Bashsea Mano

 

[Style185]

I have the same mess behind my 40B lol. I cut a cedar fence slat 2.50$ and it hides it hah but I've got a lot of cedar in my house so it goes. I think your setup is awesome as!