HELP ! new tank, new member, filtration Q's!!!!!!!!

[xnitromethx]

I recently purchased a 75 gallon flat back hex acrylic aquarium. Its made by nova systems and has a built in filtration on the back. I have a few questions I was hoping someone here would be able to answer for me, and I included pictures of everything to help describe the tank.
1. Is the built in overflow on the tank enough for a saltwater setup? the pump seems pretty weak and I would imagine wouldnt do much more than 300gph. Is there a more powerful pump alternative to increase flow but still maintain the built in overflow?
2. Does anybody know what goes where in those chambers on the back? there are 6 chambers for filtration on the back of the tank. First one I would imagine is for a pre filter, the second is empty. the third has eggcrates to put stuff on but I have no Idea what filter media to use. the 4th and 5th are for the bio balls and 6th is for the pump. there is also a pvc pipe that has holes in it that goes over the bio balls, I would imagine that a pump would go into the bottom of the 3rd chamber to pump water over the bio balls thru the pvc tube?
3. I would like to install a sump so that I can run my two turboflotor skimmers in it. I purchased an amiracle sump but I am not sure what pumps to use for my tank and where to plumb the sump to on the back.

also what filter media should I buy and where can I order it?
here are pictures of the back of the tank and the sump I want to install to give a better understanding of my situation:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v106/xnitromethx/DSC00373.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v106/xnitromethx/DSC00362-1.jpg

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[xnitromethx]

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[bheron]

cool. never seen a tank like that before. a few things:

- the total flow of water from your tank, through the overflow, through the sump, and back to the tank will be restricted by the capacity of your overflow, not the pump in this case. Did someone tell you that the max capacity of your overflow, the way its designed it 300gph?

- if so, thats fine. you can always add increased flow to your tank via powerheads. you dont need to get super high flow through your sump. 300gph is fine.

- the next factor, of course, is the return pump, and how much head (vertical distance) is has to pump the water. but start with answering the overflow question first.

- not sure what all the chambers are for, but i wouldnt worry about trying to use them all.

- definitely get rid of the bioballs. you shouldnt need them and i personally think they're not good for the tank.


HTH

[xnitromethx]

yes I think I will replace the bio balls with live rock rubble... as for the overflow, nobody told me how much it can handle I just assumed it wasnt enough. the overflow teeth are about an inch and a half high and the total length of the overflow is only 4.5" so Im positive its not the 700gph or whatever that is needed. This was a freshwater tank that I purchased used and im trying to convert it to saltwater.

as for the vertical distance of the sump return im not sure because I dont know where to even plumb my sump into the back filtration.

Right now the tank is filled with freshwater, im just trying to figure out how to do the filtration.

any help is GREATLY appreciated, Id rather not pay my lfs 60 bux an hour to come help me set everything up :eek1:

[bheron]

sounds like youre on the right track.

the size of the overflow doesnt matter, but rather the diameter of the holes that the water needs to travel through.

since you already have it setup, the only way to accurately measure the GPH is to hook a pump up to the tank and measure how much water is coming through into the sump. basically you see how long it takes to fill a gallon jug of water, then convert that to gallons per hour.

[xnitromethx]

can anyone recommend a good pump???

[Sk8r]

I use a Mag 9.5 in a 52 bow. It's fairly large, and you need a third or so more flow for a 75. Look at Eheim in the slightly more potent range. Stay away from Rio. There have been a lot of complaints, from shocks to oil leaks.

[xnitromethx]

so something like this:? http://cgi.ebay.com/Eheim-Model-1262-Universal-Pump-900GPH-NEW_W0QQitemZ170045392703QQihZ007QQcategoryZ46312QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[bheron]

go to marine depot, and check out their pumps. basically you have internal (submerged) and external pumps. for external you'll probably need a drilled sump. internal pumps generate more heat. i have a mag drive as well. is your sump drilled for an external pump?

go to marinedepot.com - they have good specs on power of pumps and prices.

[xnitromethx]

on my sump there is a 90 deg pvc fitting on the right side drilled into it and on the left is a syphon and a ball valce fitting. This is shown in the pictures I posted. Im guessing I would probably have to put a submersible pump on the right side in the far right chamber of my under tank sump....?

[bheron]

hmmm, with that setup you might be able to do either. can you get a better picture of your sump - or a drawing? looking directly down from the top would help.

[geckofrog]

you have a amiracle sump! very nice!

[xnitromethx]

Sure here are a couple...
I couldnt resist taking a pic of the clown while I had the cam in my hand, notice the firefish in the cave..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v106/xnitromethx/DSC00374.jpg

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[xnitromethx]

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[bheron]

ive heard of these before but never seen one. looks like the water comes in on the side with the white PVC. then through the skimmer? then out on the other side. but there im not sure what the deal is - looks like the water gets sucked through the screen cover on the intake - so maybe some sort of pump gets hooked up externally? but im not sure what kind of tubing that is on the outside - the thinner black tubing. it might be make for a specific kind of external pump. or does that go to the skimmer?