were to put the skimmer??

[nyfus]

ok I have an idea, I have a 125 and want to put the wet dry coming off the main tank and returning on the other side using a Iwaki Mag Drive Model: MX-400-CV6 65gpm pump. also i was going to put a 20gal refugium under the tank with overflow box on the other side of w/d intake. I would tie the refugiumm and the w/d together with the skimmer pulling water from the refugium and putting it into the w/d but should it go before or after the bio balls and does it matter? I will also be using 3 power heads and a DSB (4-6inches) eventually I want to put 170lb live rock in but will probably start with 75. . If anyone has any comments they would be greatly respected
will any of this work and how can I make it better.


Thanks nyfus

[reefrash]

:confused: I'm having a difficult time coming up with mental images.

[nyfus]

sorry let me try again:

I am starting my first saltwater aquarium.
I plan to use a:

125 gal 72x18x24 I think
deep sand bed
175lb live rock
3 power heads
Wet/dry filter
20gal refugium
Berlin classic skimmer
Iwaki Mag Drive 65gpm return pump

1 do I need to seed the sand if I use life rock

2 should I run the refugium from the tank through the skimmer into the W/D, or should I just run it strait back into the tank, or just through the skimmer to the tank (arg) what is the best order

3 do I need a check valve everywhere the water goes into the tank

4 why do some systems use ball valves in front of the pump

5 will the pump stir up the tank sand to much

6 what else can I do to help me be successful

Thank all of you for the knowledge and advice you offer up it is greatly appreciated
Nyfus

[reefrash]

[QUOTE=nyfus]sorry let me try again:

I am starting my first saltwater aquarium.
I plan to use a:

125 gal 72x18x24 I think
deep sand bed
175lb live rock
3 power heads
Wet/dry filter
20gal refugium
Berlin classic skimmer
Iwaki Mag Drive 65gpm return pump

1 do I need to seed the sand if I use life rock

Not in my experience, it just takes a little longer for the sand to bioactivate. Especially with a DSB

2 should I run the refugium from the tank through the skimmer into the W/D, or should I just run it strait back into the tank, or just through the skimmer to the tank (arg) what is the best order

Take someting out of the equation, the W/D, it's gotta go in this situaion or you're making an algae tank. My sumps work like this, outflow-skimmer-return; refugium separate, run on a small powerhead with the return back into the sump. Make sense? Oh did I say you don't need the wet/dry

3 do I need a check valve everywhere the water goes into the tank

not if you install proper overflows/returns

4 why do some systems use ball valves in front of the pump

to control flow, or service the pump, notice how many setups have quick disconnects between that valve and the pump.

5 will the pump stir up the tank sand to much

If you install a ball valve, and plump more than one return you should be o.k. with that. More than one return is nice because you don't need a bunch of powerheads hanging down in the tank.

6 what else can I do to help me be successful

Read and ask questions.

[nyfus]

Thanks, I think I'm getting the Idea