Daniel Fishy
Aquarium Advice Addict
I had the same problem I had to drop my tank in from the top. My stand is open at the top so i had to remove all my rocks, corals and water just to drop the sump in. It's worth it!
Sump Setup Advice
- Thread starter SaltwaterNuB
- Start date
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uh.oh...
Aquarium Advice Freak
ugh! i've been there. Sorry to hear it. We all have to learn the same way
mr_X
Aquarium Advice Addict
what size tank is this? do you have a single door in front or two with a divider in the center?
btw, you don't want the water level in the return area too low. you can limit the amount of water that fills the sump when the return pump is unplugged by drilling a siphon break just under the water line on the return nozzle.
btw, you don't want the water level in the return area too low. you can limit the amount of water that fills the sump when the return pump is unplugged by drilling a siphon break just under the water line on the return nozzle.
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SaltwaterNuB
Aquarium Advice FINatic
About time mr x! I had 2 sets of doors with a 10" support decider. I was thinking about cutting the divider. I only need about 2".
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SaltwaterNuB
Aquarium Advice FINatic
135g dt- 40g sump
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SaltwaterNuB
Aquarium Advice FINatic
So here's the center brace. In going to cut 3" off both sides and install wider doors and a support column behind center divider.
mr_X
Aquarium Advice Addict
My friend had a 125 gallon tank which was 6' long. that partition wasn't even load bearing on his store bought stand. Not saying this is the case with yours, but you can always run a 6 foot 2x4 on end under the front of the tank for extra strength while you remove the brace. Put 2x4's on each end...like a header would be, when removing a load bearing wall.
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SaltwaterNuB
Aquarium Advice FINatic
Yeah I'm def going to put 3 2x4 vertically, and 1 horizontaly
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SaltwaterNuB
Aquarium Advice FINatic
The front price of stand is just a 5/8 piece of ply with 2 holes cut out for doors.
Michealw1
Aquarium Advice Regular
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2013
- Messages
- 50
Penn plax 700 gph cannister filter
Via aqua sk- 200 in sump Venturi protein skimmer
Aqua top submersible pump
This is for a3 chamber sump 10 gallon, my tank is a 55 gal FOWLR. Is this a good design, this is my first marine tank.
mr_X
Aquarium Advice Addict
I'm not familiar with the protein skimmer. I would probably want a better brand without trying it out. (Octopus, Vertex, even Bubble Magus)
I never heard of the return pump either. Same thing- danner mag drive or Quiet One...Eheim...etc.
I would skip the canister filter. This will need regular maintenance (like weekly) if you want to keep your nitrate levels down. I prefer a filter sock in the intake section.
I never heard of the return pump either. Same thing- danner mag drive or Quiet One...Eheim...etc.
I would skip the canister filter. This will need regular maintenance (like weekly) if you want to keep your nitrate levels down. I prefer a filter sock in the intake section.
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SaltwaterNuB
Aquarium Advice FINatic
I'm doing live rock and chaeto in my center chanber. Mr x, would you fire the skimmer up right away or run the sump for a couple weeks?
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SaltwaterNuB
Aquarium Advice FINatic
I added 2x4 supports brackets last night. I just have to open opening about 2" more. The I need to make some new cabinet doors.
mr_X
Aquarium Advice Addict
I would run it right away. You have livestock in your tank, right?
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SaltwaterNuB
Aquarium Advice FINatic
Yup. Would you remove existing hob and canister right away too?
mr_X
Aquarium Advice Addict
Sure. Why not? It's not like you are needing the canister media for surface area for bacteria...you have plenty of rock, correct? I am subscribed to so many threads I forget specifics from time to time. The HOB is for what? A refugium?
Michealw1
Aquarium Advice Regular
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2013
- Messages
- 50
So I don't need the cannister filters? What pumps the water to my sump, or is it gravity? Sorry for being so green but I am when it comes to marine .
Andrew McFadden
Aquarium Advice Addict
Canisters are not needed and IMO shouldn't be used. Water comes down by gravity, all you do is pump it up.
It works like this
You have water in the tank and in the sump. You pump water up to the tank that the tank can't hold. So with an overflow either hob or a built in one ( works like a drain) makes the water.go back down. You'll have to watch to know how much gph the overflow can handle so you don't push to much up to the tank.
What goes up must come down
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mr_X
Aquarium Advice Addict
Exactly. If you have a drilled tank, it's gravity that brings the water back to the sump. If you have a HOB filter, it's a siphon that does the work.
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SaltwaterNuB
Aquarium Advice FINatic
I just wasn't sure if it was ok to go col turkey on other 2 filters. I've heard mixed feelings, but I believe you're very experienced. I have a 135g fowlr tank and there's about 175lbs o live rock in it. I'll be using about 25lbs to start with in my sump. I'll use the rings from hob for a few weeks. Then I'll toss them. I plan on having a good amount of chaeto resting ontop of my rock (middle section) in the sump. Do you think I should separate the rock an chaeto using a filter pad or egg crate.... Or anything at all... Thx!
