New sump ideas...

[AW2EOD]

Alright....I figure since I have to move anyway, and I'm having HUGE ammonia problems, I'm going to tear down the 200gal. and add some things I meant to add when I first got it.

First, I'm going to drill the tank and add built in overflows. Second, I want to put in a closed loop system.....if not a closed loop, I'm at least going to add some PVC inside the tank, attached to the return line to spread out the return flow (i.e. -- spray bar, or something like it).

Third, and most importantly, I want to redo my sump. It seems that everyone is telling me to get rid of the compartment with the bio balls in it.

You guys give me some ideas about how I can set this up. Pics of your sump setups would be greatly appreciated. The only thing mandatory, right now, is a chamber for the in sump skimmer I'm going to be getting. And...the tank I have for my sump is a 29 tall.

Thanks, in advance!

 

[Katchupoy]

what is the size of 29 tall?

 

[AW2EOD]

The 29gal. tall is 30" wide X 13" deep X 19" high.

I'm planning on building a bigger stand for the 200gal. The stand, right now, is only 30" high with a single 20" wide door on the front. Makes it a HUGE pain in the butt to get to the sump. I'm planning on building a stand that's 6' long X 36" high X 30" deep and possibly dropping my empty 55gal. tank into the stand for the sump.

 

[fishermann]

A 29 is not nearly enough for a sump for a 200gal, use your 55 and get a high quality good protein skimmer before you do any restocking. Did you find someone to keep your eel and fish?

 

[AW2EOD]

My friend that owns a fish store is taking my fish on Tues. He's going to keep the Red Coris Wrasse (doubtful he'll survive though), the Scopas Tang, The Whitemouth Moray and the Dog Faced Puffer. Then, the 200 is being torn down and not being put back up until I get the new sump done and the holes drilled for inside overflow boxes.

I've got the hookup for a guy from Washington State thats going to build me a Berlin like protien skimmer, rated for a 400gal tank....which is going on the 200.

 

[dnjan]

Kind of surprised you had ammonia problems with a bioball system. Nitrates, yes. But the bioballs, etc. should should have at least moved you past ammonia and nitrites.

If you are drilling the tank, drill the back at least for closed-loop intakes (plus the overflows, of course).

 

[Katchupoy]

AW2,

First to consider is to know the dimensions of your skimmer. Make sure that it will fit the 29 gallon high. With those dimensions, a Euroreef 6-1 will fit there without a problem.

Next to consider, is the pump you are going to use for the return. Why? The return pump will also dictate the volume of water going back to the sump. Thus, will convert to equivalent flow inside the sump.

The idea is to have a slow flow inside the sump. Why? for micro bubbles to escape and not return to the main tank. And the only way to attain this is to have a lot of volume in the sump comparable to the pump capacity to push water.

.

VERY IMPORTANT!!!

If you are going to use the return pipe directly plumb to pvc inside the maint tank; ie. spray bar. DRILL A SMALL HOLE ON THE RETURN PIPE FROM THE SUMP. THIS HOLE SHOULD BE RIGHT ABOVE THE WATER LEVEL OF YOUR MAIN TANK. Why? This will serve a breather.... so in cases of power outages, it WILL NOT DRAIN the water from your main tank. This hole will break the siphon.