I'm planning out the design for a sump for my 75G reef ready. I want it to be big, adding a lot of water volume, but fairly simple in design (ie. everything in one tank, a few compartments with baffles, few or no bulkheards). I have some ideas already, but a few more questions first.
Is it considered acceptable to use flexible tubing for all the plumbing? Like even that clear 'airline' tubing (I think that's what it's called). I'd prefer not to do anything rigid at this point, because this is my first crack at this and things might change down the road.
When adding siliconed baffles next to each other (like one from the bottom up next to another off the bottom a bit) how close together should they be placed? Does it matter if they are very close? Also, do you need to put the silicone on both side of the glass plate? If so, does anyone know some good ways to get the silicone on between narrow spaces?
A possible protein skimmer I'm looking at is the Euroreef ES-52 or the ASM ER-G1. These both have a large footprint of about 9 X 9. With a skimmer of this size, is it ok to have a skimmer area about 10 or 11 X 12? These skimmers have a submersible pump attached. Do manufacturers include the size of these pumps in their footprint dimensions?
the return pump is one thing I havent researched at all. I dont even know what the overflow rating is for the tank, but assuming it between 500-700GPH, what sort of reliable, submersible, cool-running pump would you recommend. More impotantly, for now, approximately how big are they and what size return compartment would you think necessary for it? I've heard some names like Eheim, Sedra, Mag, Sens, but dont know what models to look at.
Once I get a few more answers, I'll post some more specifics on the design and hopefully you can give me some more advice.
john
Is it considered acceptable to use flexible tubing for all the plumbing? Like even that clear 'airline' tubing (I think that's what it's called). I'd prefer not to do anything rigid at this point, because this is my first crack at this and things might change down the road.
When adding siliconed baffles next to each other (like one from the bottom up next to another off the bottom a bit) how close together should they be placed? Does it matter if they are very close? Also, do you need to put the silicone on both side of the glass plate? If so, does anyone know some good ways to get the silicone on between narrow spaces?
A possible protein skimmer I'm looking at is the Euroreef ES-52 or the ASM ER-G1. These both have a large footprint of about 9 X 9. With a skimmer of this size, is it ok to have a skimmer area about 10 or 11 X 12? These skimmers have a submersible pump attached. Do manufacturers include the size of these pumps in their footprint dimensions?
the return pump is one thing I havent researched at all. I dont even know what the overflow rating is for the tank, but assuming it between 500-700GPH, what sort of reliable, submersible, cool-running pump would you recommend. More impotantly, for now, approximately how big are they and what size return compartment would you think necessary for it? I've heard some names like Eheim, Sedra, Mag, Sens, but dont know what models to look at.
Once I get a few more answers, I'll post some more specifics on the design and hopefully you can give me some more advice.
john
