Hi,
After about 4 months of reading I'm about done with the "setup master plan"
(see figure). I would like to hear your feedback on this setup before I build it (probably next week); I hate to learn from my mistakes .
I am trying to go with a single pump for all my circulation needs (will feed into the skimmer, refugium and return manifold, no powerheads). The idea is to use a single reliable pump that will not leak heat into the tank (or leak less than a bunch of pumps, each for each job). Also, I hope, that one big good pump will be more quiet than lots of small ones.
The skimmer I plan to use is a DIY skimmer counter current skimmer shown in here: http://www.hawkfish.org/snailman/skimmer101.htm and dump my junk seaclone.
As explained in detail in this excellent website, the flow through the skimmer for my 100gal system should be close to 75gph (which will also make a nice 7.5 x volume of the refugium turn over per hour in the refugium that feeds from the skimmer).
The return 1'' pipe will be split in 3 x 3/4'' pipes for the three sections of the return manifold. Many thanks to dow for the great idea of the manifold http://reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=44399 (and of course to Anthony Calfo for the manifold idea altogether - I hate to see the powerheads at the LFS).
In the beginning (1st year while stocking the tank) I'll use the refugium as quarantine: I'll close the ball valve for the refugium return, and return the protein skimmer output in the sump (I'll also add a small powerhead in the refugium. In case I get something bad in the refugium (e.g., ich) I'll just come up with a 10 gal hospital tank and treat the fish in there.
I'll eventually upgrade the 4 x no lights to either 2 x 250 MH mogul plus 2 x NO actinics or 2 x 400 MH, but not for at least 6 months (no SPSs or clams in the tank in the 1st year anyway).
I don't know what would be a good pump as the main pump, but if my overflow can take it (1'' + 1.25 durso pipe thanks for the idea Rich) I'd like to put some 1000gph through the manifold (eventually at 8' of head - 4' of height + 4' of manifold stuff) plus the mentioned 75gph through the skimmer. I would love to hear your recommendations, as there are lots of options on the market (some pure junk as far as I heard).
Thanks a lot for your time and advice,
Mihai
After about 4 months of reading I'm about done with the "setup master plan"
(see figure). I would like to hear your feedback on this setup before I build it (probably next week); I hate to learn from my mistakes .I am trying to go with a single pump for all my circulation needs (will feed into the skimmer, refugium and return manifold, no powerheads). The idea is to use a single reliable pump that will not leak heat into the tank (or leak less than a bunch of pumps, each for each job). Also, I hope, that one big good pump will be more quiet than lots of small ones.
The skimmer I plan to use is a DIY skimmer counter current skimmer shown in here: http://www.hawkfish.org/snailman/skimmer101.htm and dump my junk seaclone.
As explained in detail in this excellent website, the flow through the skimmer for my 100gal system should be close to 75gph (which will also make a nice 7.5 x volume of the refugium turn over per hour in the refugium that feeds from the skimmer).
The return 1'' pipe will be split in 3 x 3/4'' pipes for the three sections of the return manifold. Many thanks to dow for the great idea of the manifold http://reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=44399 (and of course to Anthony Calfo for the manifold idea altogether - I hate to see the powerheads at the LFS).
In the beginning (1st year while stocking the tank) I'll use the refugium as quarantine: I'll close the ball valve for the refugium return, and return the protein skimmer output in the sump (I'll also add a small powerhead in the refugium. In case I get something bad in the refugium (e.g., ich) I'll just come up with a 10 gal hospital tank and treat the fish in there.
I'll eventually upgrade the 4 x no lights to either 2 x 250 MH mogul plus 2 x NO actinics or 2 x 400 MH, but not for at least 6 months (no SPSs or clams in the tank in the 1st year anyway).
I don't know what would be a good pump as the main pump, but if my overflow can take it (1'' + 1.25 durso pipe thanks for the idea Rich) I'd like to put some 1000gph through the manifold (eventually at 8' of head - 4' of height + 4' of manifold stuff) plus the mentioned 75gph through the skimmer. I would love to hear your recommendations, as there are lots of options on the market (some pure junk as far as I heard).
Thanks a lot for your time and advice,
Mihai
