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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 11/4/2009 1:01:31 PM
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Hi all,
I am in the process of upgrading to a 4x2.5x2 tank and am working out all the different aspects that need to be designed. The sump will be aprox 4x2x 18 inches high. There is a pic and explanation of what I have planned so far. The display will be predominantly SPS reef.
The first section will house the skimmer pump, and will probably be fitted with filter socks to stop debris collecting in here.
The water enters from the display, then flows over the sectioned Deep Sand Bed. I've partitioned it like that so that I have the option of pulling 1/3 of the sand bed out every 12 to 18 months to replace or clean it, without destroying the sand bed. Hopefully this will help avoid any problems down the track.
Next is a refugium that will have some live rock and maybe macro algae. I have had no luck growing it in my current setup, but will have another go.
Next is a frag section. I'll be able to hang a 150W hallide over the top and stick a circulation pump in there as well.
The last section will house the return pump, heaters, auto top off, probes etc. There will also be room for a second pump should I decide to plumb in a dedicated frag tank.
Any feed back appreciated. Any ideas or extra things that I should incorporate, let me know, I'll take it on board.
Cheers,
Dave.
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Group: Administrators
Last Login: Yesterday @ 7:02:58 PM
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| What is the flowrate of the return pump you are going with? It looks like in the picture you have an external pump submerged...do you know what type of return pump you are going to use (submersible or external)? More than likely you won't need an additional pump for the frag section, you should have good flow through that area already. I haven't seen sectioning off of a DSB, so I am not sure how well they will function seperately. That might be a question for Dr. Ron Shimek. How large is that area going to be? Overall it looks very good. Make sure the baffles aren't too close together otherwise any bubbles that make it there will slide right through.
________________________________________________ Keith "Simply put, you believe that things or people make you unhappy, but this is not accurate. You make yourself unhappy." Wayne Dyer
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 11/4/2009 1:01:31 PM
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Thanks for the reply.
The return pump is a Laguna 7500 litre per hour, it's the 2000GPH model in the US. At this stage though it will also be feeding the chiller, calcium reactor, and two fluid bed filters. That is how I have it set up on my current tank. I estimate maybe 2000 LPH return to the tank. The way I have my current sump set up, the chiller dumps its water back at the start of the sump, so there is probably 4000LPH flow through the sump.
Each section of the sand bed is 10cmx70cmx20cm deep, aprox 4" x 28" x 8"deep.
Sorry about the Reeflo pump in the return section, it was the only picture I could find at the time 
Cheers,
Dave.
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| No problem on the picture...it just confused me some, LOL. So the tank sounds like it will hold 150 gallons, plus the volume of the sump. If you are pushing 2000 lph (or approximately 525 gph) through the tank. That, IME is a little low. You might want to consider maybe having the chiller dump into the main tank as well to increase the flow. It should still work at the lower rate, but I have found having a higher flow rate through the sump (not crazy flow, but around 10-20 the tanks volume) tends to work better than having a slower flow rate (at 525 gph you will be having a 3.5 turn over rate). Everything else looks good, but as I mentioned I am not 100% sure how well the sectioned off sand beds will function. That is more of a question for a DSB expert (which I am not).
________________________________________________ Keith "Simply put, you believe that things or people make you unhappy, but this is not accurate. You make yourself unhappy." Wayne Dyer
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 11/4/2009 1:01:31 PM
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Thanks argi,
That is one of the reasons I went for such a large return pump, it allows me a little flexibility in terms of how much flow through I get through the display/sump. I'm running around 2000lph through my current system, which is around 190L. It stands to reason that it should be increased on the new, larger display.
It's really just the layout of the sump that I'm struggling with. There are so many different ideas out there, it is hard to pick one layout and be confident that it will be the best for my situation. I've been told that the refugium should be before the DSB to allow detritus to settle out before the DSB.
I'm collecting as many thoughts as I can, then I'll sit down and try and make sense of it all, and build the sump from there.
Thanks again for your input.
Cheers,
Dave.
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Group: Administrators
Last Login: Yesterday @ 7:02:58 PM
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Not a problem...make sure to take lots of pictures as you progress. Sounds like an exciting process (I love the design and set up almost more than the actual tank itself).
________________________________________________Keith "Simply put, you believe that things or people make you unhappy, but this is not accurate. You make yourself unhappy." Wayne Dyer
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 11/4/2009 1:01:31 PM
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You're not wrong mate. It's exciting stuff setting up any new tank. I just get a bit paranoid that I'm going to screw something up and it's not going to work how I envisaged. That's what's great about these internet forums, you can pick the brains of those that have been around a lot longer and have so much more experience.
Thanks again.
Dave.
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