YHSublime February 5, 2013 Share February 5, 2013 I'm a complete beginner when it comes to using sumps/pumps/and overall general reef tank setup. This is why I started with a Biocube, as everything I needed was tiny enough to keep simple. I'm not familiar with overflow boxes, or protien skimmers, and reactors. A lot of you are veterans in this saltwater world, and I'd really love some advice on how to setup this new cube. I would love explanations of what you suggest, and why. If you could go back and do it all over again, how would you do it? I'd like to start with what type of overflow you think I should go with, and why. Somebody recomended a Coast to Coast. Pictures are a bonus, I'm very visual. I will use this thread to help answer my questions as I go along, and I expect I will have many, I look forward to all the help and suggestions! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surf&turf February 5, 2013 Share February 5, 2013 First question is, are you willing to drill the tank? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John February 5, 2013 Share February 5, 2013 Tank already looks drilled... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surf&turf February 5, 2013 Share February 5, 2013 Tank already looks drilled... I couldn't tell if it was or not, pics kind of small on my notebook. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John February 5, 2013 Share February 5, 2013 Is that an intercom box near the tank? Seems as if you have an electrical panel nearby too, are you going to be using a canopy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YHSublime February 5, 2013 Author Share February 5, 2013 First question is, are you willing to drill the tank? Yes Tank already looks drilled... Correct, this might help: Is that an intercom box near the tank? Seems as if you have an electrical panel nearby too, are you going to be using a canopy? That is an intercom box, Right by the fuse box. I plan on hanging my LED's from the ceiling, keeping the top open. x2 Shower rod test Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John February 5, 2013 Share February 5, 2013 You don't need an overflow, just get a few slip elbows with strainers and slide them into your bulkheads... I would consider a cover of some sort for your intercom, just to prevent salt spray/accidents from getting it wet... As far as sump, get the biggest size reservoir that will fit in the stand...rubbermaid, fish tank, fancy sump, whatever you choose...more room the better... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YHSublime February 5, 2013 Author Share February 5, 2013 Could I just put strainers on the holes, one drains, one returns? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surf&turf February 6, 2013 Share February 6, 2013 You could, but I would think you would want your water level higher than that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YHSublime February 6, 2013 Author Share February 6, 2013 You could, but I would think you would want your water level higher than that. Oh right. Thats where the slip elbows come in, right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surf&turf February 6, 2013 Share February 6, 2013 Put one of these on one side, return on the other. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surf&turf February 6, 2013 Share February 6, 2013 Oh right. Thats where the slip elbows come in, right? yes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracy G February 6, 2013 Share February 6, 2013 something that looks like this. Really easy to do Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surf&turf February 6, 2013 Share February 6, 2013 You will need to raise you return side up to the desired water level also, or your tank will back siphon down to the bulk head. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YHSublime February 6, 2013 Author Share February 6, 2013 something that looks like this. Really easy to do Thanks for the pic, that helps. You will need to raise you return side up to the desired water level also, or your tank will back siphon down to the bulk head. Hence the drilling another hole for the return then? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracy G February 6, 2013 Share February 6, 2013 No you can use something like . Nice and easy to adjust. Other option would be a a float valve. So if water goes the wrong way it closes. I use both to be cautious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surf&turf February 6, 2013 Share February 6, 2013 No, you can raise it with this http://glass-holes.com/1-2-Inch-Loc-Line-Return-Kit-ghReturn50.htm You already have the bulkhead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John February 6, 2013 Share February 6, 2013 OR, use your two bulkheads as closed-loop and drill a new hole for your drain...possibilities are endless... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Rhoads February 6, 2013 Share February 6, 2013 These are all good suggestions. I will add that the reason you want to use an overflow is so that you get increased surface skimming. You want to pull a thin layer of water from the surface. If you use elbows you will get a thicker layer of water over a very small surface. Both will work, but increasing the perimeter of the overflow will allow you to draw a thinner layer of water which will be better for removing the organics that develop on the surface of the water. I would use either a glassholes overflow, or this from ebay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1200-GPH-Overflow-Box-internal-aquarium-surface-skimmer-/181074621915?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a28e375db Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Rhoads February 6, 2013 Share February 6, 2013 Also, I have a bunch of Loc-line that I was going to use for another project. You are welcome to a few pieces if you decide to use that for your return. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YHSublime February 6, 2013 Author Share February 6, 2013 So let me make sure I have this straight. I would need two of those overflow boxes to cover both drain holes. I would want the boxes to be as high up as possible, which would mark my water line. Both boxes attach with silicone, and would have to be leveled exactly even. I could drill a hole in between the two holes. That would be my return, which would run up via pump from one side of my sump. Would the drain holes connect into one, pipe, or would they both run separately into my sump? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surf&turf February 6, 2013 Share February 6, 2013 You could use a small overflow for one side, and use the other side for your return. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John February 6, 2013 Share February 6, 2013 (edited) No, you have no reason to drill another hole if you don't want to Typically, tanks without stock overflows have the return line that comes over the tank using something like this: http://www.reefcentr....php?p=18852705 We are trying to say if you want to use your two existing bulkheads...add an overflow box to one, and locline on the other (to be used as return). You will have a back syphon issue if you're sump is not adequate since the bulkheads were drilled so low. You'll need to arch the locline return, use a large sump, or get a float valve to prevent a sump flooding... I was stirring the pot when I said to drill another hole for your drain...you could then use the existing bulkheads as a closed loop, but I see no advantage for a closed loop on such a small tank, BUT you could... You got this tank off someone else right? Ask them how they had it plumbed. Edited February 6, 2013 by John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John February 6, 2013 Share February 6, 2013 (edited) Since your experience is with an AIO system (Biocube, etc) you may not be familiar with sump back syphon, are you familiar with this concept or is it a source of confusion? If you are going to keep the PVC plumbing I highly recommend you use true unions on your plumbing. This will allow pump maintenance, practical moving, and easy change in the future. If you want to start simple just run two drains (using existing bulkheads with elbows and strainers) and then supply return line over the back of the tank using piece mentioned in above post. (This is how my first tank was plumbed) However, we're just trying to illustrate that you could plumb your tank in a dozen different ways to suit your needs. Without knowing your needs and several different suggestions being put on the table I think we're adding to the confusion (which is acceptable to admit btw) Edited February 6, 2013 by John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YHSublime February 6, 2013 Author Share February 6, 2013 So an overflow box on one side, and then lock tight bent upwards for an output. That seems like the simplest way. KISS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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