New tank design graphic ... Tell me what you think...

[Megalodon]

Hi everyone. I would like constructive criticism on this, please. Affirmation on what I'm doing right would also be appreciated. Ask any questions you like. I'm starting this build next weekend. I already have most the equipment, the tank, and the stand. In all my excitement I don't want to overlook anything so I put this together on CorelDraw. Thanks for looking.




Highlights

90-gallon drilled tank
10-gallon refugium w/ reverse schedule lighting
20-gallon sump
AquaC EV-180 protein skimmer with Eheim 1262 pump
Eheim 1262 return pump
PVC 1/2” under-sand jets with in-tank Eheim 1262 pump
80-watts 50/50 strip lighting
DIY Sulfur Denitrator
DIY Kalk Reactor
Two Fishes Phosban Reactor
Two Fishes Carbon Reactor


Legend

A - 3/4" PVC Return Manifold
B - Strainer Overflow
C - 1" PVC Return Pipe
D - 3/4" PVC Return Pipe
E - 1" PVC Ball Valve
F - Return Chamber w/ Bio-Media
G - 10-gallon Refugium
H – DIY Stand (to hold Refuge above Sump)
I - 1" Bulkhead w/ Hose Attachment
J - Plastic Tubing
K - Return Chamber w/ Bio-Media
L - 20-gallon Sump
M - Baffles 1" apart
N - Eheim 1262 Return Pump
O – Refuge Light
P – 1/2” PVC “Out-branch”
Q - Outlet for Phosban Reactor
R - Outlet for Sulfur Denitrator
S - Outlet for Kalk Reactor
T - Outlet for Carbon Reactor

[Myka]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but your water runs through your refugium, and then into your sump right? It should be the other way around, otherwise a lot of the pods that are in the fuge will be filtered out in your sump instead of making it into the tank.

Where are you keeping the reactors? I don't see enough room under the stand...?

[Megalodon]

Originally Posted by Myka

Correct me if I'm wrong, but your water runs through your refugium, and then into your sump right? It should be the other way around, otherwise a lot of the pods that are in the fuge will be filtered out in your sump instead of making it into the tank.

Where are you keeping the reactors? I don't see enough room under the stand...?

Only a third of the return water from the two overflows will be going through the refugium first. One return goes directly to the sump, and one goes into the refugium. To reduce the refugium flow even more, I have the ball valve (E).

Since pods are of a concern, I could always put the refugium's overflow output hose (J) into the last compartment of the sump (N instead of K) so that it will bypass the protein skimmer and reactors in the main sump compartment.

There might be enough room for the kalk, protein skimmer, carbon, and GFO reactors in the sump, while the sulfur denitrator could be used intermittently in front of the sump. (There will be some space in front of the sump and refugium). If there isn't enough room, I could just put the carbon and the GFO in the same reactor. Another option is making a DIY acrylic sump that is 17" wide and 26" long, which would surely have enough room.

[Megalodon]

Originally Posted by Megalodon

Since pods are of a concern, I could always put the refugium's overflow output hose (J) into the last compartment of the sump (N instead of K) so that it will bypass the protein skimmer and reactors in the main sump compartment.

Oh but then bubbles will get in there. Maybe I could somehow direct it into the baffles (M) instead.

[rocketlily]

On another site I have seen where the output "J" from the refugium is feed into the baffles "M". This then reduces the bubbles but not anything beneficial.

[Megalodon]

OK, good suggestion.

Here's the revision...

[Myka]

That looks better to me. I'm definately not a plumbing expert though!!! I'm plumbing my tank right now too, and I'm going with a Herbie silent overflow, you should check out the design. The way you have B & C set up it's going to a very noisy overflow.

Originally Posted by Megalodon

the sulfur denitrator could be used intermittently

I'm pretty sure sulphur denitrators need to work continuously. I think they take time to start working.

[Megalodon]

Version 3...




Updated Legend...

Legend

A - 3/4" PVC Return Manifold
B - Strainer Overflow
C - 1" PVC Drain Pipe
D - 3/4" PVC Return Pipe
E - 1" PVC Drain Pipe @ 45 angle
F - Refugium Return Chamber
G - 10-gallon Refugium
H – DIY Stand (to hold Refuge above Sump)
I - 1" Bulkhead w/ Hose Attachment
J - Plastic Tubing
K - Return Chamber w/ Mechanical Filter Media
L - 20-gallon Sump
M - Baffles 1" apart
N - Eheim 1262 Return Pump
O – Refugium Light
P – Eheim 1048 (158gph)
Q - ½"PVC Output to Refugium

[Megalodon]

Originally Posted by Myka

That looks better to me. I'm definately not a plumbing expert though!!! I'm plumbing my tank right now too, and I'm going with a Herbie silent overflow, you should check out the design. The way you have B & C set up it's going to a very noisy overflow.

I will.

Originally Posted by Myka

I'm pretty sure sulphur denitrators need to work continuously. I think they take time to start working.

Not sulfur ones. It takes them only a few days to start working, or at least people tell me.

[Myka]

Originally Posted by Megalodon

Not sulfur ones. It takes them only a few days to start working, or at least people tell me.

Yes, this is what I meant. You said you'd use it intermittently though, wouldn't it be better to run it all the time? Albeit, I don't know much about these...