6ft Tank Project

[shandy_say]

Hi! Im planning to build a 6ft x 2ft x 2ft tank (180gal) with a side overflow since I want to have 3 viewable sides. Here is the design of the cabinet and hood. However, I am not familiar with how to go about the design of the sump tank and the piping for return flow for a more efficient flow system. I am planning to use a reef maniac beckett skimmer for a 200gal tank. Hope someone can help!

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y102/shandy_say/tankcabinetapproxcopy.jpg?t=1226561845

[waynem]

Hello Shandy

You didn't leave much space for lighting, For a tank with 3 sided view I would use an external overflow.

[rob1991]

i really like the design....where you thinking a closed loop system? or something a little different?

[shandy_say]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13736767#post13736767 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by waynem
Hello Shandy

You didn't leave much space for lighting, For a tank with 3 sided view I would use an external overflow.

How high would you suggest the canopy should be if im using t5's?

[shandy_say]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13736769#post13736769 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rob1991
i really like the design....where you thinking a closed loop system? or something a little different?

Im actually not sure....I am not actually familiar with a closed loop system. Hope you can advise some form of filtration system. :)

[shandy_say]

I am actually planning to use an external overflow on one side of the tank. This is an extension of 6 inches aside from the 6 feet of the display tank. In the external overflow would be 2 durso standpipe configurations and 1 emergency overflow standpipe which is actually a few inches higher than the 2 durso standpipes. Hopefully using this configuration would help me control the flow and reduce the possibility of overflow in any circumstance. However, after that, I don't know how to configure the pipings properly from the main tank overflow to the sump as well as the return pipe from the sump to the tank. I really need help with this.

[shandy_say]

In addition, I also saw some pictures of the sump tanks of other reefers who use a trickle filter type compartment in their sump. It is usually in the 1st compartment where water from the main tank flows to. Any comment on this? I would also like the pumps to be located outside the sump to reduce any heat being produced by them as I would like to refrain from using a chiller.