Setting up my 190gal (still a newbie)

[MikeP]

Well, I will be at my dads on the weekend and check everything he has. I can use my 55gal as a sump but can I build the fuge into it? Do I have to use a tank as a sump? I wouldn't mind selling it to help finance the 190. I thought I read a post about a guy that uses a rubbermaid container as a sump. Then I could use my old 10 gal as a fuge? or should the sump and fuge be together? I will take pics of the 190 and post them after the weekend.

[OCDP]

Originally Posted by MikeP

Well, I will be at my dads on the weekend and check everything he has. I can use my 55gal as a sump but can I build the fuge into it? Do I have to use a tank as a sump? I wouldn't mind selling it to help finance the 190. I thought I read a post about a guy that uses a rubbermaid container as a sump. Then I could use my old 10 gal as a fuge? or should the sump and fuge be together? I will take pics of the 190 and post them after the weekend.

Hmm, I think you'd be better off keeping that tank for a sump/fuge rather than sell it. I would use the bigger tank for the sump, and the smaller for the fuge. For one, you wont get a whole lot for the 55 anyways, and in the long run it will be more effective and have lots of benefits . I think you'd get more use and benefits on your tank if you used it.

JMO... take a few bucks, or put that tank to serious use. It will pay off.

[TheReefGeek]

Keep the 55, especially if it is the 4 footer. Assuming you want to keep everything under your stand, having a seperate fuge and sump can be difficult. Great if you can do it though.

You could partition the 55g with glass or acrylic dividers to make skimmer, fuge and return sections. Make the fuge as big as you can, which means you have to decide your "ultimate" skimmer so you know its footprint so you can size the sump accordingly.

Yes you can use rubbermaids, but strong ones that are food grade would cost more than you will get for the 55g. Plus setting up dividers in rubbermaids that are not square is difficult, especially because the sides bow out when you add water, then you have to brace them with wood, etc..... not worth it IMO.

[MikeP]

Originally Posted by TheReefGeek

Keep the 55, especially if it is the 4 footer. Assuming you want to keep everything under your stand, having a seperate fuge and sump can be difficult. Great if you can do it though.

You could partition the 55g with glass or acrylic dividers to make skimmer, fuge and return sections. Make the fuge as big as you can, which means you have to decide your "ultimate" skimmer so you know its footprint so you can size the sump accordingly.

Yes you can use rubbermaids, but strong ones that are food grade would cost more than you will get for the 55g. Plus setting up dividers in rubbermaids that are not square is difficult, especially because the sides bow out when you add water, then you have to brace them with wood, etc..... not worth it IMO.

OK I'll keep the 55, it does sound like the best way to go. Can anyone give me recommendations for a protien skimmer and return pump I would like to start looking into price and availability in Calgary.

Thanks

[TheReefGeek]

www.jlaquatics.com has good prices on pumps (BC)

www.asmskimmer.com has good prices on ASM skimmers (US)

www.saltycritter has good prices on both (US)

Ordering from the US isn't bad as long as they ship USPS, then brokerage is $5.00 flat fee, and you pay GST when you pickup.