Newbie 110 gallon set up. Help?

[CichlidZ67]

Hi all! I have a 110 gallon acrylic reef style aquarium. Top pretty much sealed with 2 22" x 22" cut outs. I have a lot of experience from 20 years ago with Cichlids and UGF's, but want to try canister filtration with Cichlids. My question is: I have an internal overflow box in one corner. It has one pre drilled outlet hole maybe 1 5/8's" in bottom and two one inch return holes 1 inch from top in the aquarium space. If I lose water to evaporation the canister filter will run dry right?. Can I gravity feed a 20 gallon underneath tank and have the canister draw from it? For returns I could use a "y" type splitter to return to top two holes? I would get cascade 1500 model I think. Thanks in advance for any advice. PS. I already have a 20 gallon and 55 gallon in storage.

 

[CichlidZ67]

I just realized that at 500 gallons per hour canister it would cycle my 20 gallon underneath tank every 2 minutes. 500 gallons divided by 60 minutes right? Not big enough? Problem with using 55 gallon tank I have in storage is that at 48" long it won't leave room for canister filter underneath.

 

[Nate77]

Build a sump out of the 55, no need for canister then. Really pretty easy to do can even make then outta rubermaids
You can Y or T the returns together but it is not recommended
Go to the diy section and look at sump threads
Also I believe there is an introduction thread around here somewhere should head there and post an intro

 

[CichlidZ67]

Build a sump out of the 55, no need for canister then. Really pretty easy to do can even make then outta rubermaids
You can Y or T the returns together but it is not recommended
Go to the diy section and look at sump threads
Also I believe there is an introduction thread around here somewhere should head there and post an intro

I will check it out. Like everybody , I want to use what I have on a budget. Thanks for your response scary dude (those saw movies are the only ones I can't watch). Why is a y or t return not recommended? I'll read on sumps, but it seems everyone recommends canisters.

 

[Nate77]

Y or T is not recommended, if you run 2 pumps and 1 fails you still have one , also teeing together can restict flow. But you can do that just not recommended
You can put any media in a sump you can put in a canister , there are 2 very recent threads people looking for sump help.
You have the 55, you have a drilled tank, get some plexi ,acrylic ,glass and aquarium safe silicone ,you can probably have it together in an hour or less

Love the saw series

 

[CichlidZ67]

Will research. Thanks again. Piedmont plastics here in Charlotte can custom cut anything. Probably 1/4" acrylic. New movie supposed to be out today called "lowlife". Check out the trailer! Looks like "Pulp Fiction" on meth. !

 

[narayanang76]

Build a sump out of the 55, no need for canister then. Really pretty easy to do can even make then outta rubermaids
You can Y or T the returns together but it is not recommended
Go to the diy section and look at sump threads
Also I believe there is an introduction thread around here somewhere should head there and post an intro

Agree to this. Best to go for sump. Looks like you have everything in place. Your sump can hold much more times media than your canisters with more flexible options to consider.

 

[MrsE88]

I agree go the sump route. Not that I’ve used a canister before, but since you are pretty set to have a sump anyway. Why not?
I have one of the threads here asking for sump help. Members have been posting some great pictures and advise. I’ve got some really great ideas now for setting my sump up. Good luck on your set up

 

[CichlidZ67]

It's easy for you guys, but confusing to newbies. I just learned you can't use acrylic on a 55 gal glass tank.. I guess it doesn't bond. I'll keep looking or just throw old school ugf with two aquaclear hob's in the 55 gallon underneath. Thanks to those people trying to help!

 

[Nate77]

You cut the acrylic , or dividers to size and silcone in place with aquarium safe silicone, your not trying to bond the acrylic to the glass with glue , same principle as putting a dividers in a tank except you just use silicone one the seams