Plans...

[d9hp]

I have been planning on a small reef. I have decided on the size, a 7 gallon AGA bowfront. I want to throw all the specs out, and then hope you guys can give me some feedback. I have a 10 gallon toad tank, and I am going to tear it down. I want to use this tank as the sump. The 7 gallon bow will be on one shelf of an entertainment center, and the 10 will be in the bottom cabinet. (whats better than watching tv, and fish?) I have no clue how to connect the 10 to the 7, and I dont want to drill either one. I am going to most likely build a hood for the 10, and make it a fuge. The 7 will not be a reef for a few weeks due to money, and the hood.

Specs

Powerhead?
Ebo Jager 50 watt heater
LR and LS
No other filtration

I want to keep a small brittle star, and a clown fish.

Please explain how I could build a sump, without having 17 gallons of water in the floor. I really want the sump, but if it cant happen without lots of money or some drilling, then I will live. (I will drill the 10, if that helps anything)

 

[Salt4Us]

Well I don't know anything about sumps, but if you want to check out a great site with a 7 gallon AGA bowfront this site is great and he didn't use a sump
http://www.oc-creative.com/reef/index.asp


Good luck!

 

[loganj]

You'll either have to have the 7 drilled or build a very small overflow for it. Use a Maxi Jet 1200 or 900 for a return pump. I'd probably go with the 900 unless the sump is more than 30" below the sump.
Logan J

 

[d9hp]

How could i build an over flow? It is not that i dont think i can have a good reef without it, i just like the fact of adding 10 more gallons of water, and some macro algae that is totally out of my way.

 

[loganj]

I'd make it out of acrylic. Just look at one of the larger ones and downsize it.
Logan J

 

[d9hp]

I somewhat understand it, but if one of you guys dont mind, could you explain how this works? If barney knows how, could you make one of those cool diagrams? I really like a challenge, and i really would like to have an extra 10 gallons in this setup!

 

[fishfreek]

Here you can find not only a diagram but instructions on how to make one out of those lee specimin conatiners.

http://www.reefs.org/library/diy/diy_winner1.html

 

[d9hp]

Thanks aaron

 

[d9hp]

I think i can downsize that by a whole whole lot. It does not have to be a large water exhange, but as long as it flows. Thanks a ton Aaron, i get it now! I love planning a tank, almost as much as owning it. I think I will eventually put some LR and LS in the 10 gallon, as more filtration. Are there any critters I can throw in the 10 that will do a good job of keeping the tank clean?

 

[Barney]

I'M THINKIN, IT MIGHT BE A CHALLENGE FOR ME, A SMALL SCALE TANK. NEVER HAVE BEEN THERE BUT I 'LL THINK OF SOMETHING.

 

[kribbz]

you could just use drill a small hole around the top of the water line and add a bulkhead then use a 90 degree angle piece of pvc as an overflow.

 

[d9hp]

I cant drill the tank. I get it tom! I cant wait! My LFS has a hood made for this tank, so I think I can get it for 60 bux. I don't know though. I think I can keep what I want under 5 WPG. I am so excited. I wont do the sump for a week. I am going to ditch the toads and what not sometime in the week. I think I will keep the decorations for later tanks.

I like the specimen container idea, but only for the outside, I think I just need to see the little one, I can cover it up with a nice colt coral. (propogate every 5 hours)