Movin' on up

albert_dao · #1 08-03-2006, 08:07 PM

Okay

GOD!

I had this whole explanation written up on the sump and the stupid browser closed on me. Piece of crap.

Anyway, here it is again:

I've narrowed the sump to 12" in order to get the Snapper in behind the whole thing (or the front if you want ease of maintainance). I've also plopped in a few upgraded equipments just for show. Aside from that, at 18" tall, you should be looking at a 25 gallon sump. If you're concerned about an overflow (power outtage), just make sure you plumb the return into a manifold that sits on top of the tank or suspended under the frame. This should reduce, if not remove, any drainage into the sump.

The last thing you'll need is a good auto top-off unit (PM me) and you'll be set.

Midknight · #2 08-03-2006, 08:13 PM

What took you so long?

albert_dao · #3 08-03-2006, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midknight

What took you so long?

You gotta factor in "MSN chatting" and "eating" time when you do these things :P

RobbAdams · #4 08-03-2006, 09:28 PM

Next question, How much would this cost me? Sans Zoevit (Sorry Albert, Im not sold on this yet) . I guess I could probably find a beat up old 25 gallon on buy'n'sell. Nah, I don't really know how to drill it, and I would still have to source all the rest of the glass to build the bafles etc.

I am still confused, I thought the baffles had to be before the snapper in order to prevent microbubbles from the skimmer getting pumped back into the display?

Midknight · #5 08-03-2006, 09:32 PM

Hey Robb,

Check out Craigslist.com Lots of free stuff.
Have picked up lots of used/abused tanks and disasembed for parts.

albert_dao · #6 08-03-2006, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobbAdams

Next question, How much would this cost me? Sans Zoevit (Sorry Albert, Im not sold on this yet) . I guess I could probably find a beat up old 25 gallon on buy'n'sell. Nah, I don't really know how to drill it, and I would still have to source all the rest of the glass to build the bafles etc.

I am still confused, I thought the baffles had to be before the snapper in order to prevent microbubbles from the skimmer getting pumped back into the display?

The baffles are only at the drain. I've found that EuroReef skimmers produce almost zero microbubbles. If you are running into problems with micro bubbles, it's just a matter of making a bridge from the outlet of the ER into the initial drain compartment.

RobbAdams · #7 08-09-2006, 04:59 AM

OK I am not really interested in moving up to an ER skimmer right away, as I have a coralife needlewheel skimmer to try first.

I have decided to move the sump to beside the tank instead of underneath it. The space there is not really any bigger but I have no overhead clearance issues, so it will be easier to get at , and hopefully will be a less daunting task for maintenance which should increase the chances of me keeping up with it.

What is the main advantage of an External return pump , instead of an internal MAG type? It just seems that plumbing an in sump return pump would be a lot easier?

Robb

Delphinus · #8 08-09-2006, 05:05 AM

Externals transfer less heat to the tank, if nothing else. Not sure if there are other benefits. I guess if space is at a premium in the tank because of, say for example, using an insump skimmer, heater, baffles, etc. etc., then maybe external would be easier to work with, but then you have to deal with the plumbing and the space considerations for outside the sump. Six of one, half dozen of the other. I have two tanks right now and one of each, and to be honest I don't see any advantage that one has over the other in a "slam dunk" sense, I mean they each sort of work in their own way.