Unhappy With Current Setup

[jira]

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

dang that's a nice one too!

 

[Pntbll687]

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!!

A drilled tank is usually easier to set up and less prone to flooding. I would look on FB or craigslist to see if you can find a 29 or 20 long that is drilled for cheap. If you're in PA or North Jersey I have a drilled 20 long that is just sitting in the garage.

The simplest filter set up would be a drain then biological filtration then return. It's not as complicated as people make it out to be. Personally when I ran a sump on my 20 long it had a drain chamber, skimmer, then return. I would run a filter sock and change it once a week.

Yes you can move the ato and heater to the sump. If you have the sumpless ato, you can get rid of the box and just use the sensor on the return chamber.

 

[Hermie]

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?

In no way am I going to argue that a drilled tank is inferior to a HOB overflow.

But you say, "they will fail in 1 or 2 years," as if it's a rule and not an exception. You would have to talk about what specific overflow design you had fail before people can take that as a universal law. a siphon tube with full flow is not going to fail in any circumstance unless you have something clog the pipe, which can happen with even a drilled tank.

 

[xxkenny90xx]

In no way am I going to argue that a drilled tank is inferior to a HOB overflow.

But you say, "they will fail in 1 or 2 years," as if it's a rule and not an exception. You would have to talk about what specific overflow design you had fail before people can take that as a universal law. a siphon tube with full flow is not going to fail in any circumstance unless you have something clog the pipe, which can happen with even a drilled tank.

You are correct, no arguments here. I've just had multiple horrible experiences with hob overflows is all

 

[jd371]

In no way am I going to argue that a drilled tank is inferior to a HOB overflow.

But you say, "they will fail in 1 or 2 years," as if it's a rule and not an exception. You would have to talk about what specific overflow design you had fail before people can take that as a universal law. a siphon tube with full flow is not going to fail in any circumstance unless you have something clog the pipe, which can happen with even a drilled tank.

This! I've had a HOB overflow on my 75g for 5 years and have never had an issue. The siphon starts right up again after a WC or power failure, no bubbles collecting in the U-tube, and no chance of flooding due to the fact that the level in the return section doesn't hold enough water to do so, it would run dry way before flooding. Guaranteed most of the failures were due to not being set up correctly with mismatching pumps to overflows.

 

[jira]

This! I've had a HOB overflow on my 75g for 5 years and have never had an issue. The siphon starts right up again after a WC or power failure, no bubbles collecting in the U-tube, and no chance of flooding due to the fact that the level in the return section doesn't hold enough water to do so, it would run dry way before flooding. Guaranteed most of the failures were due to not being set up correctly with mismatching pumps to overflows.

May I know which you use? I'm really wanting to move to that 29g I mentioned at least. I'm not sure why I didn't in the first place. It's the same footprint as the 20l just taller, which would let me stack some more of my rock

 

[Erica-Renee]

First that Planted tank is super nice.. Thanks for sharing it..

As far as your Reef tank . I would say for sure a sump would make it much easier and more pleasing to look at.. If you use the 10 gallon tank under your existing , Install just one set of baffles for mechanical filtration and separate your Skimmer section (higher steady water level) and Pump area (where your ato would go ) Put the heaters with the skimmer as well. As far as over the top over flow devices.. They can work with less risk if you use a uplift pump with them to insure no air gets trapped inside the u pipe.. But we have all used them long ago with little issues...

Thanks again and good Luck with your Reef tank

 

[jira]

First that Planted tank is super nice.. Thanks for sharing it..

As far as your Reef tank . I would say for sure a sump would make it much easier and more pleasing to look at.. If you use the 10 gallon tank under your existing , Install just one set of baffles for mechanical filtration and separate your Skimmer section (higher steady water level) and Pump area (where your ato would go ) Put the heaters with the skimmer as well. As far as over the top over flow devices.. They can work with less risk if you use a uplift pump with them to insure no air gets trapped inside the u pipe.. But we have all used them long ago with little issues...

Thanks again and good Luck with your Reef tank

Thanks for the info! Salt is much different than my freshwater. I really would like to go to the 29g/10g but.. Just not sure I can justify buying the overflow, sump, pump and skimmer. Is it possible to do this on a budget? Lol

 

[Style185]

Thanks for the info! Salt is much different than my freshwater. I really would like to go to the 29g/10g but.. Just not sure I can justify buying the overflow, sump, pump and skimmer. Is it possible to do this on a budget? Lol

Gotcha covered! Before n after walahh.. 2.50$ later I'm telling you ya have the equipment keep it simple

 

[vetteguy53081]

Its a nice tank. Do reduce the whites as tank is very bright and increase blues. If you desire a sump- The ones by Skimz are excellent, affordable and start small cube to large rectangle

 

[Pntbll687]

Thanks for the info! Salt is much different than my freshwater. I really would like to go to the 29g/10g but.. Just not sure I can justify buying the overflow, sump, pump and skimmer. Is it possible to do this on a budget? Lol

You don't have to use a skimmer, that would take a considerable chunk out of the budget.

As the tank ages and becomes established, you can do with less equipment. My 20 long started as the display with skimmer/heater/sump/pump/ect. I have since condensed it to a standard 20 long, two powerheads/heater/ato. Thats it, no hang on filter, no skimmer, no sump, no return pump.

 

[jira]

Its a nice tank. Do reduce the whites as tank is very bright and increase blues. If you desire a sump- The ones by Skimz are excellent, affordable and start small cube to large rectangle

I can do that. It's programmable 3 channels, white, blue, violet. I've got the values of the white and blue equal, and the violet a bit higher. I haven't really toyed with it, since I don't have corals or anything yet

 

[jd371]

May I know which you use? I'm really wanting to move to that 29g I mentioned at least. I'm not sure why I didn't in the first place. It's the same footprint as the 20l just taller, which would let me stack some more of my rock

 

[jd371]

May I know which you use? I'm really wanting to move to that 29g I mentioned at least. I'm not sure why I didn't in the first place. It's the same footprint as the 20l just taller, which would let me stack some more of my rock

I'm using the eshopps PF800. The eshopps and Lifereef use the same design with a U-tube for the siphon. Then there's the other option of the CPR overflow, but with this one you rely on a pump for the siphon, I didn't like the fact this relies on a pump and another cord to add to the spaghetti of cords that are already there. There's this option also https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/pokpo-genesis-nano-overflow-device.589851/. I bought one to use on my 20g anemone tank, once I get a sump for it I'll swap out the HOB filter and replace it with this.