8 foot tank idea

[muffywrx]

Here is a rough sketch of my stand idea. Obviously it wouldn't look exactly like this. I have it set up this way right now assuming I have to have the tank on the floor, but I would love to have it sitting up just a little off the floor if possible ...


Another thought ... after making these designs and redesigning to include a trickle system/drain to outside, I feel like there is really no need for biomedia in the sump? It's just going to drain out....


As far as calculations go on water change with this trickle system, if set to 1gph, it will change 24gal/day which is 8% of 300 gallons. This is within the 10% unconditioned water guideline mentioned on the forums, which means no water conditioner? The water from the big tank will flow into the guppy tank ... Do I really that many baffles at that rate? They would just slow the water flow down.

I have so many ideas. I hope someone gives me some input soon!

 

[muffywrx]

Anyone? I'm very excited about this. I just got an email from glasscages and confirmed that I can pick up in council bluffs, IA for 150$ shipping which means I would just need a uhaul/home depot truck picked up there and brought back to lincoln, NE. So probably 250 total for shipping on top of 1500 for the tank ....

I need thoughts about my trickle system/tank/sump ideas!


Found this powerhead that can be set to 20gph, but I can't find anything smaller.
http://www.marineandreef.com/Mini_Jet_404_Pump_Mini_Jet_Pump_Powerhead_p/ras07106.htm
(If I were to powerhead the water outside.)

I think I'm missing something here. Maybe the outtake of the water is supposed to come from the tank? I really hope someone chimes in soon because I am complete noob at this and think I may have missed something somewhere.

 

[muffywrx]

MAYBE I can install something like this, but it would require the drilling and ... a bulkhead???? to attach the pvc and tubing to?? Am I on the right track?

The "drain pipe" would be at desired water level in the refugium, and protected by a netting of some sort.


Sorry for the crappy pic LOL.

 

[Tigz]

Sorry I can be of no help dude, idea is pretty cool though.

 

[muffywrx]

Not a dude, but thanks

 

[muffywrx]

Here is a revamped design that includes a return pump to circulate the water back into the tank and give a purpose to the biomedia. I got a little confused when I made the other plans around 4am



Little worried about maybe having to drill the tank ... Have to say this!!!

With this design, if the power went out, the biomedia would stay wet and the flow would continue outside, preventing any overflow.

I'll have the FX5 on the tank too, and probably the aquatop 500UV as well to give it more room for biomedia, polishing, and flow.

Water will enter the sump as the pump recirculates, keeping the water level, and I might add more baffles to reduce the flow into the refugium... but my guppies seem to love water flow. Thoughts on this? Probably wouldn't need to powerful of a pump though?

Water will also enter the sump at an additional 1gph if my gate valve is set at this rate, and therefore will drain out of the drain pipe at the same rate.

 

[muffywrx]

Thinking about using something like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Eshopps-PF-Nano-Overflow-Box/dp/B0042CX568/ref=reg_hu-rd_add_1_dp
on the sump, instead of drilling the tank.

My only concern is that if the flow rate into the tank is 1gph, will it work into the overflow box at this low rate out of the sump too? It says up to 50gph, but will it work at 1gph?


Then again, it might be just easier to drill the tank. Think someone locally who works with glass would do it for a small fee???

 

[Egon]

My only concern is that if the flow rate into the tank is 1gph, will it work into the overflow box at this low rate out of the sump too? It says up to 50gph, but will it work at 1gph?

I think your confusing yourself. The flow rate into the tank will be 1 GPH + what ever the pump is pushing up from the sump. The only reason it will be at 1 GPH is a power outage.

Depending on stocking your going to need 4 to 6 times the volume of the tank turn over rate per hour, maybe more. That means a 300 gallon tank will need a 1200 to 1800 gallon per hour flow. Do you see why having guppies in the sump might not work?

Also your going to have to rethink the 50 GPH over flow box......

 

[muffywrx]

I think your confusing yourself. The flow rate into the tank will be 1 GPH + what ever the pump is pushing up from the sump. The only reason it will be at 1 GPH is a power outage.

Depending on stocking your going to need 4 to 6 times the volume of the tank turn over rate per hour, maybe more. That means a 300 gallon tank will need a 1200 to 1800 gallon per hour flow. Do you see why having guppies in the sump might not work?

Also your going to have to rethink the 50 GPH over flow box......

That was for on the sump for draining purposes, since the water increase will be 1gph. I might be confusing myself, but I wanted a non-drilling option to drain the extra water out (from the 24/7 drip system). I think drilling might be better.

I see what you're saying about the GPH of the pump though, that helps me understand better. It would probably suck them towards it, huh?

 

[Egon]

MAYBE I can install something like this, but it would require the drilling and ... a bulkhead???? to attach the pvc and tubing to?? Am I on the right track?

The "drain pipe" would be at desired water level in the refugium, and protected by a netting of some sort.
View attachment 613028

Sorry for the crappy pic LOL.

This is exactly how my sump is. All my sumps are acrylic and it was super easy to drill the hole. I use 1" PVC coming out of all my sumps and they drain into a 1.5" line that goes to my yard.

Set the hight of the water in the sump by trimming the PVC. The only problem is a 1" drain line will not keep up when power goes out. Test everything by turning off the pump and watch the water level rise in the sump. If it's about to over flow turn the pump back on and shorten the drain line and test again. If you go to short then too much water will drain out and the pump will run dry once power goes back on lol. Ya gota fine the sweet spot.