toddwess
Aquarium Advice Freak
Excellent point. Thanks for double-checking the diagram. I can see now that it would totally not work where it is!
Thanks,
Todd
Thanks,
Todd
Thoughts on 90 Gallon setup
- Thread starter toddwess
- Start date
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loganj
Aquarium Advice Addict
Todd,
Here's my two cents as well. I agree...you don't need the wet/dry. Filtration in a reef tank has a different definition than what we're used to in FW tanks. The LR is the filter. The skimmer takes out a lot of the gunk that would otherwise break down into nitrates. One reason for have good flow through the sump is to make sure the skimmer gets plenty of water to skim. Basically, and this is kinda oversimplified I guess, the stuff the skimmer pulls out is what you're used to seeing on your diryt filter cartridges in a FW tank. I would go with the largest sump that you can fit in the space you have...within reason of course. I would also plan to have partitions in the sump for several reasons. One: You want to maintain a constant water level for the skimmer to operate in. Although some of the larger skimmers are not affected by the water level as much, most of them need a fairly constant water level to maintain their adjustment. Two: Bubble control...you're going to have a lot of water flowing through the sump. Cascading water = bubbles and you don't want those bubbles pumped back up into the main tank. Partitions in the sump that force the water to flow over and under them will cut down on the bubbles a lot. Three: If you have room in the sump, at some point, you can have a refugium in there. The sump isn't the ideal place for a fuge, but it will certainly work. Four: Partitioned chambers make great places for GAC and/or other adsorptive media.
The larger sump will also give your system a little more stability due to the increased water volume. This doesn't mean you can add more fish though...keep the bioload right for the 90 gal tank capacity. It's also a pain to have all your equipment crammed together. Using a big container for a sump will allow you to spread things out a little which will make maintenance easier. Last, for a return pump, I would suggest one of the external models. They are usually stronger and have air cooled motors so they don't add as much heat to your water. I like the Blueline pumps although Little Giant and Iwaki also make very good pumps. Most of them are rated at 3-4' of head too.
Here's my two cents as well. I agree...you don't need the wet/dry. Filtration in a reef tank has a different definition than what we're used to in FW tanks. The LR is the filter. The skimmer takes out a lot of the gunk that would otherwise break down into nitrates. One reason for have good flow through the sump is to make sure the skimmer gets plenty of water to skim. Basically, and this is kinda oversimplified I guess, the stuff the skimmer pulls out is what you're used to seeing on your diryt filter cartridges in a FW tank. I would go with the largest sump that you can fit in the space you have...within reason of course. I would also plan to have partitions in the sump for several reasons. One: You want to maintain a constant water level for the skimmer to operate in. Although some of the larger skimmers are not affected by the water level as much, most of them need a fairly constant water level to maintain their adjustment. Two: Bubble control...you're going to have a lot of water flowing through the sump. Cascading water = bubbles and you don't want those bubbles pumped back up into the main tank. Partitions in the sump that force the water to flow over and under them will cut down on the bubbles a lot. Three: If you have room in the sump, at some point, you can have a refugium in there. The sump isn't the ideal place for a fuge, but it will certainly work. Four: Partitioned chambers make great places for GAC and/or other adsorptive media.
The larger sump will also give your system a little more stability due to the increased water volume. This doesn't mean you can add more fish though...keep the bioload right for the 90 gal tank capacity. It's also a pain to have all your equipment crammed together. Using a big container for a sump will allow you to spread things out a little which will make maintenance easier. Last, for a return pump, I would suggest one of the external models. They are usually stronger and have air cooled motors so they don't add as much heat to your water. I like the Blueline pumps although Little Giant and Iwaki also make very good pumps. Most of them are rated at 3-4' of head too.
toddwess
Aquarium Advice Freak
Loganj - Excellent information! I now have a really good feeling on why a large sump is a benefit (as opposed to a 5 gal bucket)! 
I'm planning on a 90 gallon tank with 170 lbs (4 inches) of live sand and 140 lbs of live rock.
I should be good with that, right?
Todd
I'm planning on a 90 gallon tank with 170 lbs (4 inches) of live sand and 140 lbs of live rock.
I should be good with that, right?
Todd
loganj
Aquarium Advice Addict
I think that should work. You could even have more rock and another inch of sand if you wanted to.
cal91666
Aquarium Advice Freak
Todd, I see your in Virginia. Are you in the Richmond area??
toddwess
Aquarium Advice Freak
cal91666 said:
I'm just outside of DC in Alexandria by the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. About 90 miles from Richmond.
Todd
