What Do I need For this tank?

[Alex23]

I want this tank...:

Deep Blue Rimless Series.
It has 2 already drilled holes in the bottom behind that filter wall thing. I know I will need to get a sump under the tank now. So, how does this work exactly? With those 2 drilled holes, I run tubes/pipes to the sump? One tube to a protein scimmer? What about the other tube? What should I get in the sump? This is a 28g, 20x20x16. What size sump would work? What size scimmer? I do not need any "optional" equipment in the sump right now, just the must-haves.

What goes behind that black "wall"? If anything.

I live in South Florida so I don't think a heater is needed at the moment. At least I would like to think...

Lastly, for this kind of tank, what light would work? The cheapest one you could recommend would be nice

Thanks for your time.
Alex

 

[Untamedrose]

Yes you need a sump...

Something like this, though they can be more or less complicated. This is a pretty standard set up.

Plumb both pipes to the sump(connected to those holes) but some folks do use skimmers that sit outside the sump and arnt hang ons but I am not sure thats how they pipe them. Pretty sure they do both to sump, and then an off the sump to skimmer.
The "filter wall thing" is your built in overflow

You are going to need a premade....or to make a DIY sump tank. As large as you can fit under your stand.

It's kinda a balancing act, especially when your not WEEEEEE toss the funds!
Need to find a stand that will fit that tank...find a tank/sump that will fit that stand and a skimmer that will fit in or on that sump. It's a messy love triangle.

I'd google around that tank name....and "tank builds" Bet you will find a few threads here or on other forums... to get ideas what others have done with it and purchased in equipment.

And ya likely need a heater....reef tanks like it warmer then you likely keep your house around 77 degrees and the newer lights dont put out nearly the amount of heat as the old school ones(BUT thats a good thing chillers are way more expensive). Plus realistically heater is going to be one of the cheapest things you need to buy talkin 10-30 bucks.

Lights...are another chapter. What you want to keep in that tank is the key to that one.

 

[Alex23]

Yes you need a sump...

Something like this, though they can be more or less complicated. This is a pretty standard set up.

Plumb both pipes to the sump(connected to those holes) but some folks do use skimmers that sit outside the sump and arnt hang ons but I am not sure thats how they pipe them. Pretty sure they do both to sump, and then an off the sump to skimmer.
The "filter wall thing" is your built in overflow

You are going to need a premade....or to make a DIY sump tank. As large as you can fit under your stand.

It's kinda a balancing act, especially when your not WEEEEEE toss the funds!
Need to find a stand that will fit that tank...find a tank/sump that will fit that stand and a skimmer that will fit in or on that sump. It's a messy love triangle.

I'd google around that tank name....and "tank builds" Bet you will find a few threads here or on other forums... to get ideas what others have done with it and purchased in equipment.

And ya likely need a heater....reef tanks like it warmer then you likely keep your house around 77 degrees and the newer lights dont put out nearly the amount of heat as the old school ones(BUT thats a good thing chillers are way more expensive). Plus realistically heater is going to be one of the cheapest things you need to buy talkin 10-30 bucks.

Lights...are another chapter. What you want to keep in that tank is the key to that one.

Ok thanks!

Question... the return line pipe (on the right of picture) goes through another whole in the tank? There is not any more holes besides the 2 behind the built in overflow.

Looking at the picture you've attached, is the skimmer not attached to anything?It just sits there? Does water just flow from section to section? How does this not spill out?

 

[Anirban]

One hole for return and one for overflow. You can get a 15 gallon tank and a sump kit to built one for you. For your need a SCA301 skimmer will be good.The skimmer will sit inside the sump and draw water through its motor.This type of skimmer is known as internal or in sump skimmer.

 

[Untamedrose]

Thats what a sump is a whole other tank. Sits below your display tank(or DT) This adds water volume for added stability, space for equipment and filtration.

Yes the water just flows from section to section. The black piece only allows so much water through those teeth at the top. It will ONLY drain so much. Just a matter of adding the correct amount of water to the system. And the reason the water level is so low is to allow for back-flow if your return pump breaks or the power goes out. Your return piping isnt drilled b/c you dont want that underwater to much. One it helps agitate the surface water, helps with oxygenation and mostly...you want it NOT to be deep b/c if that return pump breaks or power goes out.....it will back flow too. So really close to surface is important.

There are 4 basic type of skimmers. Those that just sit in the sump, often need a specific water level to work correctly. (like whats in the photo) those that hang on the side of tanks, those that are In the tank, and the piped sit off the sump.

If your wanting/needing more of a plug and play look into something like this all in one.(there are others just I've owned this one so posting it.)
Has lights to do easy soft corals(green stars, zoanthids, mushrooms), in the back has the places for a filter media, heater and a small nano skimmer.
https://www.amazon.com/Coralife-15607-Biocube-Size-29/dp/B007UQA7CS

 

[Untamedrose]

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcJv2rQDivg8NwXIxydJ86A

These guys give solid advice on setting up a tank, sometimes they go a bit over with the equipment used(IMO) ....but great for basic ok I need...and why and it needs to do this.....and you can research price points. They have tons of videos that cover a lot with basic set ups for all kinda of systems both sumped and All in ones.....I dont know if they cover canister options as thats a bit less Yaa older system but has work for people.

 

[Alex23]

Thats what a sump is a whole other tank. Sits below your display tank(or DT) This adds water volume for added stability, space for equipment and filtration.

Yes the water just flows from section to section. The black piece only allows so much water through those teeth at the top. It will ONLY drain so much. Just a matter of adding the correct amount of water to the system. And the reason the water level is so low is to allow for back-flow if your return pump breaks or the power goes out. Your return piping isnt drilled b/c you dont want that underwater to much. One it helps agitate the surface water, helps with oxygenation and mostly...you want it NOT to be deep b/c if that return pump breaks or power goes out.....it will back flow too. So really close to surface is important.

There are 4 basic type of skimmers. Those that just sit in the sump, often need a specific water level to work correctly. (like whats in the photo) those that hang on the side of tanks, those that are In the tank, and the piped sit off the sump.

If your wanting/needing more of a plug and play look into something like this all in one.(there are others just I've owned this one so posting it.)
Has lights to do easy soft corals(green stars, zoanthids, mushrooms), in the back has the places for a filter media, heater and a small nano skimmer.
https://www.amazon.com/Coralife-15607-Biocube-Size-29/dp/B007UQA7CS

Ok but for the return pump, I would have to drill a nother hole on the other side of the tank then?

 

[DracoKat]

No. Use the existing holes in the tank. One for return, one for drain. You can plumb the line from the pump to the return hole in the corner

Here's a photo of my plumbing, if it gives you an idea

Left is the drain, right goes to the pump.

 

[Jimbo662]

Have you looked at the SCA aquarium kits? Has everything you need except the light. I bought this one about a year and a half ago. I'm moving soon and will be ordering the 66g version. The 66g is drilled for a return and two drains...which is better than having just one drain in case the one clogs and causes a tank over flow.

https://www.amazon.com/Starfire-Aqu...8&qid=1468856641&sr=1-2&keywords=sca+aquarium

 

[Alex23]

No. Use the existing holes in the tank. One for return, one for drain. You can plumb the line from the pump to the return hole in the corner

Here's a photo of my plumbing, if it gives you an idea

Left is the drain, right goes to the pump.

Wait so your left one goes to the skimmer? Right for what pump? return pump?

 

[Alex23]

Have you looked at the SCA aquarium kits? Has everything you need except the light. I bought this one about a year and a half ago. I'm moving soon and will be ordering the 66g version. The 66g is drilled for a return and two drains...which is better than having just one drain in case the one clogs and causes a tank over flow.

https://www.amazon.com/Starfire-Aqu...8&qid=1468856641&sr=1-2&keywords=sca+aquarium

Yes Ive seen them. Too expensive for me. Plus I do not plan on spending $300+ for lighting :|

 

[DracoKat]

The left drains into the first chamber (Through filter socks, I chose not to use socks for the time being). The first chamber hosts the skimmer (The drain does not go into the skimmer- it goes into the chamber that has the skimmer)

Right goes into the last chamber that has the return pump

Here's a photo of my sump.. really can't see the plumbing, but you can see the braided tubing that I used for the return pump to help the noise level

 

[Jimbo662]

Yes Ive seen them. Too expensive for me. Plus I do not plan on spending $300+ for lighting :|

I see the deep blue tank on amazon for $600. The SCA set up in $695 and includes the stand, sump, return pump ,skimmer and plumbing (although I did my own plumbing instead). It's also star fire glass on 3 sides.

 

[Alex23]

I see the deep blue tank on amazon for $600. The SCA set up in $695 and includes the stand, sump, return pump ,skimmer and plumbing (although I did my own plumbing instead). It's also star fire glass on 3 sides.

Coul you send me that link? That sounds appealing!

 

[Jimbo662]

It's a great tank. I only got rid of it because I upgraded to a larger tank. I'm moving in a couple of months and need to downsize...so figured I'd do the 66g this time.

https://www.amazon.com/Starfire-Aqu...8&qid=1468861500&sr=1-2&keywords=sca+aquarium

There's lots of options for lights. You could do an AI Prime for $199 and that'll grow just about anything you want to put in the tank.

 

[Alex23]

Ok interesting. I wish this came with a light! Do you know any lights under $100 thatll do the job? I don't need anything crazy. Will be growing some basic corals most likely.

 

[Jimbo662]

I don't...I'm sure someone else will chime in that's used one.

 

[Kap18512]

I have this above my 29g and it's been working great.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/165W-Dimmab...773757?hash=item3a8e50f63d:g:ZN4AAOSwM4xXaPxK

 

[Jimbo662]

So...did you make any decisions?

 

[Alex23]

Ordered a JBJ 30 Rimless. Returning it and getting the 28 biocube lol