Building my own AIO 33 Long

[JRBear5658]

I have been out of the hobby for about 3 years and finally have got to the point where I am ready to set up a new tank.

I am planning on setting up my own AIO tank. The tank is 48 inches long 12 inches wide and 13 inches high.

I was thinking about having the the filter be 1 foot of the 4 foot tank.

For the Skimmer I was planning on using a NS 80 or Aquatic Life Internal Mini Skimmer 115

Using two to four Nano koralia pumps for flow along with the the Return pump.

I am not so positive on lights yet. I was thinking about t5's

My girl friend wants to only have one section of rock work and have a wide section just for swimming so I was thinking of having about a foot and a half to two feet of rock work and then leaving about 1 foot for open swimming and sand sifting for fish and inverts.

I would really like everyones input on my set up please help

I am open to changes in the set up this is just my first draft before the journey before truly begins

JR

p.s. I attached pictures of where I am meaning to place pumps and also the set up of my AIO filter

 

[johnpeezy]

Using two to four Nano koralia pumps for flow along with the the Return pump.

I have four koralia nano's in my 20 gallon tank and it was great for the first six months or so, but after letting them for for a year and a half now I wish I would have gone with K1's. For circulation in the tank the nanos are excellent, but I just wish they had a little more punch to them, just dosen't seem like its enough current. My 45 gallon I'm going to be setting up I am thinking of using a few K2's heck maybe even four of them

 

[Cwazy Clown]

Ah, JRBear, long time no see nice to see you're back!

 

[JRBear5658]

Yeah it has been forever... I really want this tank to be my show tank for a while so I am really trying to get the set up perfect with the AIO any advice?

 

[Cwazy Clown]

oh man, i've never been good with AIO's. the best advice i can give you would be to take a look at pre-fab AIO tanks and gauge as to what their design is and maybe incorp some of it into your build

 

[JRBear5658]

Yeah that is what I was thinking. I am going to head to the lfs here who have a 29g Biocube with the HQI set up and was going to see how the filter is set up in there.

I just know if I have the Skimmer section before the Refugium section it is going to take all the nutrients needed for the Refugium but if I have it afterwards I have problem with none of the benefits of having the refugium I think not sure.
Anyone who knows if that is true or how I should place my compartments?

 

[Cwazy Clown]

good choice.

not necessarily. reasons for a fuge:

-nutrient export
-phosphate/nitrate removal
-safe area for pods

nutrient export is only one reason, I'd personally run a fuge to lower my nitrate and phosphate levels.

I would put the skimmer in front of the fuge because then the fuge will pick up the rest of the excess nutrients and also do its other job. Plus, if you put the skimmer after the fuge, you might have a micro bubble problem in the main tank section.

 

[JRBear5658]

So was just doing some research on how a sump could work? I am drawing up some plans now but the way it would work is having a T with a valve to control how much flow goes into the refugium... The refugium will be raised off the floor and will have a drain pipe into the lower section which is back to the return pump. only thing I am not sure if there will be a dead spot underneath the Refugium??? any ideas?

I got the idea here (sorry if I am not supposed to post the link)
http://www.melevsreef.com/55g/55sump.html

 

[JRBear5658]

New Tank Design

So I came up with a new design as said earlier I feel this set up will be a more efficient way of using the AIO feature. I have it set up like a sump inside the tank.
Check out the attached picture and would love the imput

 

[Peppie]

I split my return from a QuiteOne 1200 to the DT and to the fuge in my first tank and I didnt get much flow to the DT.
Just last week I changed the plumbing from PVC to rubber tubing. I thought all thr bends in the PVC took away alot of the flow power.
If you are not sure where to place the skimmer, before or after the fuge. IMO you should have the skimmer flow into the return/pump area. Then have the fuge inflow from the DT and then flow into the return/pump area. Is that not how a regular undertank sump is set up?
I made my adjustable gates for two reasons. It will alow you to the water levels right where you want them. It will reduce the noise of falling water. It will also reduce the bubbles when the water flows thru the teeth. It takes alittle longer to build, but I think it is well worth it.
So if you are set on splitting your return pump to the DT and to the fuge IMO you should up the power on you suggested MJ1200. maybe to some thing about 450 to 500gph.
I like the layout of your tank. Have you considered running a return line under the sand to the other end of the tank for low flow instead of a powerhead at the bottom of the tank, You would also have to hide the powercord to the PH.
Are you going to use a rockwall at the DT/sump divider?
You said you were going to have open area for swimmers. Sounds like you need to figure out a way to get some more rock in the DT. You know what they say about pounds of rock to gal of water.
I didnt see a place for media in the sump area. HOB?
These are some of the things I have thought about after seeing your layout.
From what I read on above posts your an old pro at this reefing thing.

 

[JRBear5658]

Yeah I used to have 3 setups one with my beloved Helfrichi Firefish just never really ever set up a build of my own usually they are thrown together with and oveflow and have a sump. I just really at this moment don't want to deal with a sump and all right now.

I was thinking I would work in a media section right before skimmer section.

I like your idea about having DT flow in on both sections the Skimmer side and on the Refugium.

I am still working out kinks about Refugium if I want to do the drain pipe idea or if I want to just have it drain down into as a normal sump with the teeth.

Also I had thought about the running across the entire tank just was trying to figure out what Return Pump I would need for that.

What size tubing are you using now? what PVC pipe were you using?

 

[Cwazy Clown]

what ever happened to that firefish?

 

[JRBear5658]

I ended up giving it to my friend for 50 dollars. I plan on getting another one once this tank is set up.

I am now trying to decide what size pump I need to push the water from return to the other side of the tank Peppie gave me the Idea and I really like it...

Having both the Refugium and the Skimmer have their own overflow section then Run pipe down and under the Sand bed to the other side to create a different flow structure.

 

[Peppie]

The PVC was 1/2'' ID I think that was to small, I changed it out to 3/4' tubing, I am getting better flow now. I think mainly because it took out al the 45s and 30s out of the PVC.
On my second tank I used 5/8'' tubing only because that is what the MJ 1200 fittings came with it.
Just remember the less bends you have in your plumbing the better your flow. The more bend you have you need to up the pump.

 

[JRBear5658]

Final design plans before starting

Yeah I have finally Set with the way I want the All in one section to be setup it. The main part of the DT is going to be 36" wide I am taking 12" with the false wall and having everything set up behind there. If I need more room for my skimmer section i will just add an inch or 2 with the fake wall making it 13" or 14" from the side of the tank.

Picture of what I came up with attached

I think I am going to use the tank as a peninsula setup to split my dining room and living room.

The only thing that sucks now is I just had and emergency surgery because I had an appendicitis and had to have my appendix removed. I am doing better and now all I have to do is wait for the pay check to start purchasing every for the build

 

[Peppie]

The working part of the tank looks good. I wish I had as much room to work with. Now you got me thinking of yet another build.
Sorry to hear about you operation. Do what the doc tells ya. Nothing is more important than your health.
Did you ever find out if the 115 skimmer had an overflow tube?
I'm glad to see you worked in a media chamber. You may not choose to use it all the time but if you need it, it is there.
PVC or tubing? ANd what pump did you decide on?

 

[JRBear5658]

Still deciding on the pump I was going to start looking into that and trying to figure out if the 115 had the tube or not...

When I saw the 33L I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it because of the nice length and skinnyness of the tank... Then I got on here and you had actually been doing and AIO build which was perfect.

With the tubing or PVC I am not sure I think I may use a mixture of both have tubing go from the pump to the bulkhead where PVC goes out under sandbed to where it flows back into the tank

The Doc said I am not allowed to lift anything over 10 lbs. or do anything like active exercising till my post op check up on tuesday... I hope I am ok to do normal day stuff by then because I have an Ultimate Frisbee Tournament in Portland the 31st and 1st which would suck to miss.

 

[TJL]

I agree with Peppie that the overall plan/layout looks real good, well thought out as it should be. It will be great to see this come together now. So... what kind of furniture piece are you going build for it ??? or maybe Peppie ??? If you DIY and need some help or need use of some woodworking tools let me know.

Todd

 

[Peppie]

+ 1 on the tools. I know Todd is closer, but if he dont have it I'm sure I do.
I would be honored to help you with your stand. Let me know what you have in mind. Ive worked wood for over 20yrs and still look forward to a new build.
I'm not sure I understand, A frisbee cant weigh 11lbs. lol

 

[JRBear5658]

I don't know Peppie, I went to one tournament in Oregon where the team who won the tournament was awarded a hand carved red cedar Frisbee that was a replica of the ones they were selling at the tournament (normal plastic ones) haha That was a pretty heavy disc.