SUMP

[AaronH]

ok so i am new to marine and havenot built my set up yet and am looking for some help. i have a juewl rio 125 that is currently a cichlid tank. i am planning on the big conversion hopefully some time after xmas. i would like to build a reef tank planning on soft corals a few fish and i like inverts so prob a large clean up crew mainly crabs and snails and one cleaner shrimp. i am also planning on anemones (i love them).... anyways i would like to build a custom sump to go under the cupboard (530mm wide x 260mm deep x 500mm heigh) height is flexible that is the internal dimensions of the cupboard and the space i have to play with i put the maximum height at 500mm as that alows alot of room above that for removal protien skimmer cup or to run pipes etc. i have not chosen any equipment yet except for the external filter and heater because i allready have them running. i would like the sump to be big enough of a place to drain out enough water for a weekley water change and a place to add any chemicals i am planning on haveing the whole back wall of the display tank covered in live rock as much as i can before it either comes out the water or hits an overflow etc (whch is why i wana drain water from the sump and not the main tank during a water change) so i am not to bothered about filtration with that much live rock and an external filter. i am planning on byeing an ro filter aswell so i dont have to go to te shop all the time but this will be plumbed in in the garage away from the tank as there is no room. i will also have a bucket in the garage with a heater and a powerhead in as a place to mix water befor a water change. i am a carpenter by trade so i am not affraid to build things from scratch and have prob got all the tols required. when it comes to geeting the glass cut i have not decided on weather to get it cut from a shop and build it myself or get a custome tank made. any help with this would really help. i have not got a clue where to start and what size to make thigs with buble traps and diffrent compartment sizes etc. i hope there is enough info there. oh yea i am from uk which is why my measurements are in mm and ltrs lol there is about 25mm in an inch if that helps you overseas majority of people lol

 

[FDshoes]

That is an awefully small space for a sump. Esp if its for 125g tank.

 

[FDshoes]

Most skimmers made for that size are over 2 ft tall ~600mm

 

[FDshoes]

Most wont even fit in that footprint being only 10 inches wide.

 

[AaronH]

That is an awefully small space for a sump. Esp if its for 125g tank.

It's a 125 ltr about a 30 us gallon I wish it was 125 gallon lol is be lucky

 

[FDshoes]

Sorry then disregard previous statements sorry.

 

[AaronH]

Most skimmers made for that size are over 2 ft tall ~600mm

A v2 skim 400 will just about fit. If not I will look into a v2 nano skimmer

 

[FDshoes]

Im not to familiar with the smaller skimmers. Just look at the footprints then design your dump around it make sure your overflow either goes thru a slings or filter socks to get rid of larger debris then a couple baffels to reduce bubbles then into your return pump.

 

[FDshoes]

Slings=sponge

 

[melosu58]

Moved to General Hardware and equipment discussion.

 

[AaronH]

i am just trying to work out how to lay it out if i can have the in let and skimmer in same compartment or outlet and skimmer in same compartment or weather they all have to be seperated i have looked into the v2skim 400 and it will fit under with enough room for maintance and when i get a chance i will look into either a v2skim 300 or 200 as a 400 is whey over skimming and the smaller models will alow more room. like i said i am just trying to work out how to set out the compartments now. n as for the sponge on the inlet thanks for that i wouldnt of thought of that.

 

[carey]

I have my skimmer in my input compartment in my sump so thats an ok way to go.