Hooking it all up?

[mistah]

Greets again!

I'm almost ready to go order the 135gallon tank for the SW.

I have received my skimmer, & iwaki pump, and yes.. a overflow unit =( *grin*

My question is this! =]

I've got my overflow unit, does it drain directly into my skimmer, or into a sump 1st (good size for a 135g is??) then from the sump, into the skimmer, then out back to the tank?

#1) overflow -> skimmer -> sump -> tank

or

#2) overflow -> sump -> skimmer -> tank?

I've been trying to find nice installation info, nothing yet! =(

What kind of sump would be good? I plan on doing a reef tank (slowly). A 40 gallon tank would be decent?

Is a bioball chamber required? what goes into the sump to help with the reef system?

I'd love to have nice details.

thanks again.

(I love this hobby, my heros soverum's just had 200 more babies again..!) took me an hour to get the parents out of the community tank.. =] Yeh this is fresh water.. =]

jes.

[ajx22]

The size of the sump is only dictated by what size you can fit. Go with as large a sump as possible to allow for a greater volume of water. A 40Gal would be fine.

In respect to the plumbing of the sump...you will go from tank to overflow to sump to skimmer to sump to tank. You will not want the skimmer to drain back into the main tank as you will have a tank full of micro-bubbles. :eek2:

The design of the sump will depend on how you want it. I suggest using acrylic as it is easier to work with and allows for drilling/partitioning much cheaper and easily then glass. You do NOT want bioballs in the sump...they have proven to increase nitrates. You will want a few baffles to disipate the bubbles installed, as well as a section for the return pump. In the sump you can place a few pieces of liverock to help with the filtration - or leave it bare. There is also the option of adding a refugium to the sump...which changes the design a little.

Send me an e-mail with your phone number (or call me) and I will be more then happy to call you to discuss your set-up in more detail to see where we can help.

Best regards always,

[mistah]

Thanks for the reply..!

So if I read your details correctly about the sump + skimmer.

I can
a) divide my sump into 3 sections (baffles that allow the water to over flow into each other? from taller to shorter?)

1st section is the overflow box that empties into it. From there I have my 1st pump that pumps into my skimmer (2nd partition in 6-8" of water?)

Then the 2nd pump from the skimmer to pump it back into the 3rd section, then from there my iwaki external non-submersible (with a bulkhead that feeds into the 3rd section) which pumps it back into my tank? (lol.. sounds confusing!) haha.

I've taken look at pics, etc.. just have a hard time understanding the concept of the sump + skimmer + pumps and how it does it all.

My other question to you would be.. I have a aqua medic 1000 skimmer (used), it's got the collection cup at the top. The cone (inside the collection cup) is cracked and missing a piece. Would this affect the performance? Should I fix or replace the cup?

thanks for pulling me away from the bioballs, I didn't know that it wasn't a good idea. I sometimes see plants, rocks, sand / mud in the sump, why?

I'll get in touch with you this weekend and call you. We'll discuss what can be done.

I highly appreciate taking the time with this newbie! =] (can't wait to start).. finally.

jesse.

[Daniel Schubert]

Mistah

It sound like you are using an external overflow box. If so I would recommend that you get your tank drill instead and go with an internal overflow instead. It will be a lot easier in the long run. That is one thing I regret I didn't do.

Daniel

[mistah]

Yeh I know.. I know =( I'd like to get it drilled. I'm still looking, but in the mean time.. I bought one on ebay.. so if I find someone to drill it before I fill it. I will.. =]

thanks.

[ajx22]

No problems at all...

I'm here to help...!!

Drop me a line and I will be able to explain all the mumbo-jumbo to you much better.

I can also send you some photos of other set-ups to help you 'visualize' the concepts.

**Do see about that drilling - you will be soooo much happier in the end**

Do you have a picture of the cracked cone? It may or may not still work well depending on how it's cracked.

Speak with you soon,

[mistah]

Sure. Here's the pictures of my poor badly-packaged-ebay-skimmer..

Pics of the broken parts. Whats that missing nipple for? Just to draw air? Do I connect a air pump do it?

[mistah]

another, the broken cone. =( I think it can be repaired by putting some kind of gasket around it and glued?
I saw the new collection cup for sale on the net, but 40$ US.. =(

[mistah]

last one.

These are off the aqua media 1000 turboflotor skimmer.
That 1st pic, with that small tube that's broken. Whats those nipples for?
:idea: