Tank Planning

[Esoter1c]

Hello all,

I recently purchased a 110 gallon aquarium with a 20gallon sump, 2 pumps, skimmer, stand, etc for $150 CDN. Anyways, Im planning on building a new stand to house the aquarium and thus I will need to replumb (also we had to break alot of the PVC to transport the aquarium). So I have figured out how it was plumbed and quite frankly it seems rather complex, plus some of it useless (see attached diagram, mainly the blue and yellow pipes, where all its doing is moving water in a rather complex and needlessly way. So since Im going to replumb all of this, I would like some help, I know hardly anything about marine aquariums (I am planning on doing a FOWLR [forgot what it stands for, but I know it basically means fish only with live rock] setup to start with). Oh, I should also note that not all the piping is the same size, it ranges from 2" to 3/4".

It also came with a 20 gallon sump, as shown in the diagram, and it has a trickle filter (if that is what its called) along with having some compartments to direct water flow, see second attached diagram (top down view of sump, T.F. stands for Trickle Filter). The compartment piececs only go up about 1/3rd the way of the tank. I will attach pictures of everything later, unfortunately at the time of posting this, Im not at home so I cant get pictures.

So yeah, I will add more information later, but basically this type of plumbing system that it came with seems a rather bit complex and while I understand the flow of the water and everything else, I was wondering whether this was a good system or if I should change it when I build my new stand. Particularily the blue/yellow piping seems pointless other than to create a current in the tank (but I have powerheads for that).

Anyone got some tips/suggestions for how to plumb it, also keeping in mind of siphoning effects. Unfortunately since we had to break the PVC I havent been able to set it up in this fashion so I havent seen it working in action.

Thanks,
Alex

[Umbra_Vipera]

I am not an expert, so take this posting for what's it worth.

I would have to agree with your opinion that it looks complicated. I also think that you are correct in thinking that the blue/yellow is simply for increased flow. Without knowing a lot more detail about the pumps, bulk heads, distances, etc., it's gonna be hard to really help much. It looks like one pump is doing little while the other is doing a lot. It also looks like the skimmer is pulling water from the wrong side of the sump. I thought it was best for the skimmer to pull the water that was just received from the display for more effiecient skimming. Others will know more.

Based on how my system was designed, I would probably try to attempt to use the bulkheads in the tank for sump/fuge use. (i.e. two drains and two returns) Then setup one pump for the skimmer and one for the return.

Below is a photo of my layout. It's not exact as I have made some minor adjustments to the system, but you can see what I'm talking about. You would just have to add a second drain line and a second return line to the drawing to understand what I'm saying.

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m127/Umbra_Vipera/AquariumPhotos/75%20Gallon%20Setup/th_SumpSetupExternalSkimmerver2.jpg (http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m127/Umbra_Vipera/AquariumPhotos/75%20Gallon%20Setup/SumpSetupExternalSkimmerver2.jpg)

This is just an idea however and depending on the specifics of your situation may or may not be possible.

[tamableanimal]

The only thing that I personnally would change is the skimmer return back to the right side of the fuge with the inlet closer to the overflow line. The pump in the bottom left of your diagram is just a closed loop pump, no siphon breaks will be needed for that. The pump on the right side of your diagram is the return pump. The end of the line where it enters the tank should have a small hole in it so that if you lose power it will take in air and break the siphon. Hope that this helps.
Rich

[Esoter1c]

Ok, well I dont really like the closed loop thats acting as a powerhead, I bought powerheads to do what its doing and I have to redo all of the pvc piping anyway when I build a new stand so I know that for sure is going to go.

Anyways, I took some pictures, and I found out the make of the pump, but not the model. Its a Lifegard Quiet One pump, but an older molder, Ill try to i.d. the exact model soon.

Here are the pictures (note all the piping shown in the diagram is not all in place, because we had to break it off):

[Esoter1c]

Yeah I couldnt ID the exact model of the pump. Its an older model and I cant find a website for rainbow plastics. Anyways it is able to push the water all the way up about 6-7 feet, and I do have two of them so they probably are pretty good.

[Reefscape]

Have editted the drawing for how i would have the pipe work, basically removing the closed loop as i dont think its really doing a proper job and use Koralia powerheads for circulation..

[Esoter1c]

Ok, thanks, the other thing is I may add a 33gallon as a sump/refugium as well (Im picking up a very cheap tank). So if I wanted to have both hanging out in there to increase my sump capacity to 53gal how would I plumb that in, and do you have any comments/tips about having two seperate sumps?

[Grins]

If I had room for both I'd make one a dedicated sump and the other a dedicated fuge.

[Umbra_Vipera]

:iagree:

[Esoter1c]

Ok so I got the 33g, and I am going to use it as a dedicated refugium, and the 20g will be a dedicated sump, how will I connect the two with respects to connecting them to the skimmer and to the aquarium? I know some people have suggested that I buy a new skimmer, but I do not want to, Im trying to do this as cheaply as possible, and I know the skimmer while ugly, will still work.

Thanks,
Alex.