Need some help

[ebius]

So I am designing some filtration for the Science Center's tank and would like some suggestions/input on equipment. We are going to put in both a sump and a refugium. They will be separate tanks for display purposes. They will be plumbed "upside down" because of restrictions. Basically, the overflow of the sump will gravity to the refugium. The refugium will gravity to the display and the display will pump back up to the sump. This will be fairly difficult to changed based on the restrictions we have. We are looking at between 400 and 500 total gallons of water with mostly softies. Here is what I need:

What would be a good size for the refugium and sump tanks? I am thinking 75-90 gallons just so we have some room. What should we get? They will both have to be reef ready.

The display's acrylic is think, like 1.75". What powerhead magnet would work with this? Do we have to go with some sort of internal mounted?

Equipment suggestions. We will need a skimmer and at least a GFO reactor. We have a back room, so we really don't have any limitations. I think we would prefer an external skimmer for ease of cleaning (they won't have to take it out of the sump).

I think that's about it. I have a few ideas in my mind, but want to hear some more and different views/opinions.

[kegogut]

Depending on how reliably they do water changes you might wanna plumb some biopellets in there since nitrates are one of the hardest things to keep in check.

[Mr D smack]

I told you about the skimmer I will donate, if you want it lmk

[kegogut]

I told you about the skimmer I will donate, if you want it lmk

You talking about the big down flow one?

[reefergeorge]

Are you doing a display fuge? I know my kid would love seeing all the critters in there.

[Nanook]

Hard to visualize without pictures...do you have any shots of the tank and available space?

[smoothdog]

So I am designing some filtration for the Science Center's tank and would like some suggestions/input on equipment. We are going to put in both a sump and a refugium. They will be separate tanks for display purposes. They will be plumbed "upside down" because of restrictions. Basically, the overflow of the sump will gravity to the refugium. The refugium will gravity to the display and the display will pump back up to the sump. This will be fairly difficult to changed based on the restrictions we have. We are looking at between 400 and 500 total gallons of water with mostly softies. Here is what I need:

What would be a good size for the refugium and sump tanks? I am thinking 75-90 gallons just so we have some room. What should we get? They will both have to be reef ready.

The display's acrylic is think, like 1.75". What powerhead magnet would work with this? Do we have to go with some sort of internal mounted?

Equipment suggestions. We will need a skimmer and at least a GFO reactor. We have a back room, so we really don't have any limitations. I think we would prefer an external skimmer for ease of cleaning (they won't have to take it out of the sump).

I think that's about it. I have a few ideas in my mind, but want to hear some more and different views/opinions.

Between the 75 and 90g I'd go with the 75. They have the same footprint, the 90 just adds height which generally isn't much benefit to a sump or fuge. What will be going in the sump, rock, reactors? With the skimmer being external, would it make more sense to do a sump/fuge combo with a larger tank like a 6ft 120? That would take some complexity out of the double cascade setup you are proposing but I'm not sure what restrictions you are up against. What are plans for the fuge, DSB, macros, mangroves?

[kegogut]

I think mangroves would be a great idea for it since its going to be on display. I think they look awesome.

[slosrtnick]

I have a 75g sump I could work out a deal with. It is also already drilled in the side of it. There are two holes with bulkheads. Let me know if this could work.

Nick

[u4ick]

I have a question.

What is the purpose of this display?

Is it to show people how you can DYI a fish tank into a sump/fuge?

Or to show how a Sump & Refugium work?

...I'll wait for an answer before continuing with next questions.

[rackman]

Is this the tank we picked up from the casino a while back for the display?

[Mr D smack]

Is this the tank we picked up from the casino a while back for the display?

Yes, that's what I've been told

[ebius]

Between the 75 and 90g I'd go with the 75. They have the same footprint, the 90 just adds height which generally isn't much benefit to a sump or fuge.

Yeah, was looking at the 95 Wide dimensions on Glass Cages a little bit. 48 x 24 x 17 Tall

What will be going in the sump, rock, reactors?

The sump will primarily be for rock and reactors/reactor pumps. It will be a place for us to hide all of the filtration.

With the skimmer being external, would it make more sense to do a sump/fuge combo with a larger tank like a 6ft 120? That would take some complexity out of the double cascade setup you are proposing but I'm not sure what restrictions you are up against. What are plans for the fuge, DSB, macros, mangroves?

Again, with the restrictions, they will have to be two separate tanks. Long story short, they are planned to be in two separate locations to allow for viewing of the fuge and hiding the sump. The fuge is currently slated for a mangrove with some macros.



I have a 75g sump I could work out a deal with. It is also already drilled in the side of it. There are two holes with bulkheads. Let me know if this could work.

Nick

Thanks for the offer, but I'm not sure the design will allow for a traditional sump. We need overflows and probably no baffles.




I have a question.

What is the purpose of this display?

Is it to show people how you can DYI a fish tank into a sump/fuge?

Or to show how a Sump & Refugium work?

...I'll wait for an answer before continuing with next questions.

The purpose is for filtration, just like in out tanks. As stated above, the sump will be to hide everything and the fuge will be out so people can see into it. Like reefergeorge said, we think kids will like seeing all of the little critters. It will, however, be a little high for them to get up close and personal.



Yes, that's what I've been told

This is correct.


I do have some pictures and diagrams, but unfortunately things have been crazy at home and work. I will see if I can get them up sometime tonight.