Need advice! Please

[Urban.E23]

I just got a 54 gallon corner tank and i want to set it up for fish and reef but I'm not sure what equipment to buy?! I want to put a sump in the bottom but it's pretty tight so I'm thinking i might have to build one.. Any suggestions? Also what ever I buy I'm trying to be "future proof" I believe in doing it right the first time!

Alright I fell like I'm taking a college coarse with all the research I've been doing... so let see if i got this now I can either get a canister filter in which case i would still need a skimmer/heater, only without a sump then it would be in the display case or I get a sump which seems the more "natural" way to go and voids out the need of any other filter (such as canister) and the only thing i would need for this set up is a couple of pumps.....and a sump.....and some bio-balls....

 

[Ben1]

Is the 54 gal reef ready? If not you will need to either drill it, or use a hang on top overflow to feed a sump.

Are you planning a reef system, or are you planning fish only with live rock?

I prefer having a sump, this allows much more flexibility. With out a sump, you could get by with a HOT skimmer and a canister filter, or reactor like the ones on Bulk reef supply. The problem with hang on top skimmers is they are limited in size and IME performance just can not match what you can get for in sump designs.

I made some sumps in the past, this can be as simple as buying glass tanks and silicone in some baffles, or buying acrylic sheeting and gluing it. Melevs site has good info on building sumps. http://www.melevsreef.com/allmysumps.html

When I started I used a table saw to cut my acrylic sheeting, hand sanded the edges to get a smooth edge and glued them with weld-on. Later I used a router mounted on a router table to get smooth cuts to begin with, it really is not that hard to do if you are handy.

If you have specific questions, please let me know.

 

[Urban.E23]

The tank is not reef ready so but thats what I plan on doing with it reef system that is...
I really want a sump but I don't have a lot of room under the tank the biggest thing i could fit under it would be a 10gallon tank and i'm not sure if thats big enough And since it would be that small then would it be more efficant to use a canister filter? I thought going with a larger one like the Fluval FX5 or the Fluval G3 or G6 and if i use a canister filter could i still get a 10gallon tank to put underneath for a decent size skimmer?

Now I am handy and it did cross my mind to build a triangle sump but i fear the quarters would be too constricting to perform matnence on it

Thanks for your time!

 

[Ben1]

The problem with it not being reef ready is you would need an overflow, so this would mean either a hang on top overflow or drilling the back side of the tank.

The other more simple option might just be a hang on skimmer. I know the AquaMaxx is a decent HOT http://www.marinedepot.com/AquaMaxx_HOB ... NW-vi.html

but it may be too small for your system. The remora pro HOT from Aqua-C IME is not a great skimmer. The coralife IME are also junk.

If you do decide a HOT skimmer is the way to go,

I would look at the AquaMaxx, or the Octopus Super reef max LS1000 (Premium Aquatics has those). One thing you never want to skimp on is a quality skimmer. It will be the main filtration for you and really makes the difference in your success.

I still am not much of a fan of canister filters, but if you are maintain them properly, by cleaning the filter pads or sponges out often it can work. If not cleaned out often I have found the detritus builds up in the pads quickly, slowing the water flowing though them causing issues.

If I was going sumpless on that tank I would probably just use a hang on like the Two Little Fishies Phosban Reactor 150.

This of course leads to you having a powerhead in the tank to feed it. That to me is one of the main advantages of a sump. With out one, you now have a heater in the tank, a pump to feed a filter or a output/input tubes for the canister filter, a powerhead to run the skimmer, etc. It gets ugly quick IMO. You can hide some of this with creative aquascaping.

 

[Urban.E23]

So do you think a 10 gallon aqaurium would make a decent sump? Or what gallon capacity would you recommend for a 54 gallon tank?

And let me get this strait if i have LR and LS then i wouldn't need bio-balls in my sump the rock and sand acts as a natural filter?

And if I have a sump them the only thing else i'll need is a skimmer and a hang on overflow and a pump for each or does the skimmer come with a pump? (I'm talking about a skimmer to put in the sump not hang on)

Also what did you think of me get a larger canister filter like the fluvals?

 

[Ben1]

Most skimmers now a days come with pumps.

And let me get this strait if i have LR and LS then i wouldn't need bio-balls in my sump the rock and sand acts as a natural filter?

Yes, and a properly set up sand bed can take care of nitrates as well, it time it might build up some detritus. Bio balls are IMO only useful in fish only tanks with limited live rock, and heavy feeding.

So do you think a 10 gallon aqaurium would make a decent sump? Or what gallon capacity would you recommend for a 54 gallon tank?

When you think of space you need for a sump, think about what it will need. One it will need a return pump, either internal or external. In your case I would use an internal Eheim. It would also need a bubble trap to prevent micro bubbles ending back in your tank. The skimmer would also need to fit in there, as well as a heater, and a small powerhead to run a phosban reactor or something close to that. You could just passively run carbon in a mesh bag in the sump. Although I prefer a reactor. JMO. The last consideration is space for the water during a power outage.

If using a hang on style overflow (I prefer the U tube designs over the C siphon style) then before the siphon breaks once the power is out some water will still go into the sump. The pump will not be running and the water level will rise. You can use check valves but IME over time if not cleaned regularly they can stick, causing a overflow. The proper solution is to have a sump large enough to hold as much water would go to the sump in an overflow situation. Usually it is an inch or so of the tanks water level. I would get the largest possible sump, be it a glass tank or making one. You could also contact someone to make one for you like myreefcreation.com or Marc from Melevs reef. I am not sure the 10 gal would be large enough to hold all the necessary equipment, and have space for the extra water in a power outage.

 

[Ben1]

Also what did you think of me get a larger canister filter like the fluvals?

I personally do not love canisters. I have gone through a few in my time, and never kept them. IME unless you really clean them out the pads and such collect detritus, where in a filter where the media is fluidized like a phosban or http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store...rbon-reactors/brs-gfo-and-carbon-reactor.html the media can not only be seen, but move enough to prevent build up. Also IMO it is easier to change the media in these over canisters.

 

[Urban.E23]

Hey Ben,

What do you think of this overflow... http://www.marinedepot.com/CPR_CS90_Ove ... 13-vi.html

And this sump http://www.truvuaquariums.com/mwddr075.html

I'm still thinking about just making my own I think it will be a lot cheaper!

 

[Ben1]

I would not buy either.

The sump hold only 7.5 gal, so you would still be better with a 10 gal tank. Besides that it has a lot of accessory's, you do not need. I am not sure what you can fit, but I would go this style,

http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-supp ... RS-75.html

The CPR overflows I do not like since they rely on a pump to draw the air out. They also depend on the same pump to start back up after a power outage to prevent a siphon break, which IMO is bad news.

I prefer, and had used for years the lifereef overflows. lifereef.com is the website. They rely on just a single UTube that I never had break siphon on me. The trick with those is to match the flow rate properly so any air bubble get pushed right through and no build up ever occurs. IMO any break in those type of overflows is a result of too small of a return pump being used.

 

[Urban.E23]

Thanks I'll check into them...

 

[Urban.E23]

Ok so it's been a while since I've posted, but i'm happy to say that I have most of the stuff i need to get started. I ordered a reef octopus 1000sss protein skimmer and a overflow for the tank with a pump for the sump, I have the lights but still need to build a lamp unit to hang above the tank. I convinced the woman to let me drill a couple holes in the floor so i can run plumbing down in the basement for the sump, which in return has aloud me to get a larger sump! I was looking to build one that would have been about 10 gallons and instead i found a 60 gallon long aquarium online at a very good price, i ended up paying $75 for a 60, 20 and a 10 gallon tank that even came with a hermit crab lol (old lady didn't like that part very much). Now that i'm converting this aquarium into my sump this brings up a few questions...

1. I still have the acrilic that i was going to use to build the last sump with, can i use it for my baffels and such and can i use the aquarium safe silicon to secure it? I'm assuming i won't need the weld on anymore!

2. For the plumbing i ordered 1in. tubing and 3/4in. tubing for the water lines, but should i use PVC? I've heard mixed opinions on both.

3. My sump set up! As of now I'm thinking... Intake/bubble trap/fug/bubble trap/return area ( I want a large refug and this seems to be the best way i can think of to get water to it, any advice? ) Keep in mind it's a 60 long so it's kind of narrow but i think that will help me in the long run... Oh yeah and I'm going to try a sqeeze every gallon out of it that i can, I'm hoping 40 gallon of actual water volume.

Thanks, Eric

P.S. I'll post some pics once i start putting it together.