fuge advice

lauremf2002

lauremf2002

Member
I would like to add an INEXPENSIVE fuge to my 58 gallon tank. I would put one underneath but my cabinet door only has a 10" opening and I dont want to drain my tank to get into the back opening. Sooo, I am open to making one beside my tank. I think I understand how to construct one out of a 10 or 20 gallon tank but can you all recommend a HOB overflow box and a pump for the return. I tried to decide by myself but the options gave me a headache
. I also plan to put in a protein skimmer (I currently own a seaclone and I hate it) so any suggestions on that would be helpful. Keep in mind I want the best bang for my buck. Im really not sure of gph in relation to overflow so clarification will be needed in that area. Thanks in advance!
 
turningtim

turningtim

Active Member
How much flow do you want? What are you keeping or going to keep? Do you have power heads for supplimental flow?
Off the top of my head I would say a 29 would be best. You could either go 600 gph drain or 1200 gph drain. I think the 600 would work with some added PH's for flow. I can help calc it all out.......
I perfer U-tube OF's rather than the cpr type. Just easier for me I guess. search Essop (sp?) OF's.
HTH
Tim
 
lauremf2002

lauremf2002

Member
I currently have 1200gph in my tank (2x koralia #1's and a marineland 400) I asked about flow because I am worried about the pump working faster than the overflow or vice versa.
 
lauremf2002

lauremf2002

Member
O and I plan to have 2 clowns, coral beauty, lawnmower blenny, 3 green chromis and a mandarin (the reason for the fuge) It will also have some corals when I get better lights. I currently have 50/50 compacts soooo....
 
errattiq

errattiq

Member
You don't have to worry about your overflow working faster than your pumps... If you have a 1200gph overflow, you'll be ok with anything 1200gph and below for a return pump.... The reason for that is an overflow is rated up to a certain gph rating, it will however accept anything below it, you'll just notice it drains slower. That's all. It won't lose siphon and overflow, it'll only drain as much water as it is given. hope this helps.
-Josh
 
lauremf2002

lauremf2002

Member
Originally Posted by errattiq
http:///forum/post/2951226
You don't have to worry about your overflow working faster than your pumps... If you have a 1200gph overflow, you'll be ok with anything 1200gph and below for a return pump.... The reason for that is an overflow is rated up to a certain gph rating, it will however accept anything below it, you'll just notice it drains slower. That's all. It won't lose siphon and overflow, it'll only drain as much water as it is given. hope this helps.
-Josh
It does! Thanks
 
turningtim

turningtim

Active Member
Well true to a certain extent. IF the pump doesn't produce enough flow (to small) then the U-tube/CPR will collect bubbles b/c there is not enough flow to carry them through the OF. This could stop siphon and then OVERFLOW.
Also when choosing a pump you must take in head pressure. To make sure you getting the flow at the tank that you want.
But then again you don't want to much flow even if the OF can handle it. This may lead to out flowing the sump. Meaning the micro bubbles will just get carried through the bubble trap with the flow.
I would say with head pressure you want to stay 800-1000 gph. At 900 you would be at 15x. With your PH's your in pretty good shape.......
JMHO
Tim
 
turningtim

turningtim

Active Member
OH yes! But I would keep it around just in case for some extra mechanical filtering. If you ever need it.
I understand it will be next to the tank but on the floor or at the same level?
 
lauremf2002

lauremf2002

Member
Im trying to find a way to get it under my tank without breaking the tank down. I only have a 10 in opening to work with but a space 33 inches long inside the cabinet. Im toying with the idea of building one inside the cabinet but Im afraid that may be just as much of a pain as draining the tank and moving it so I can put it in from the back. What do you all think? Ill post a pic of the stand with the doors taken off in a bit
 
lauremf2002

lauremf2002

Member

The middle opening in the front is 10". There are 2 13" openings on the back (but I cant get to them unless I move the whole set up). I would really like to be able to get a 20 gallon tank down there, Ill probably just have to suck it up and move the dang thing though.
 
turningtim

turningtim

Active Member
how tall and deep is the stand. You can always mock up a sump out of cardboard to see what will fit under there. There is a way to do it but...
Let me find the pic.
melevs reef go to diy section and look at sump through the side project.
 
lauremf2002

lauremf2002

Member
Originally Posted by TurningTim
http:///forum/post/2952121
how tall and deep is the stand. You can always mock up a sump out of cardboard to see what will fit under there. There is a way to do it but...
Let me find the pic.
the opening is 23 inches tall in the front and the one in back is 25 in tall. its 15 in deep on inside but I have 5 in of fudge room till I hit the wall of my dining room to maneuver it into place
 
lauremf2002

lauremf2002

Member
Originally Posted by TurningTim
http:///forum/post/2952121
how tall and deep is the stand. You can always mock up a sump out of cardboard to see what will fit under there. There is a way to do it but...
Let me find the pic.
melevs reef go to diy section and look at sump through the side project.
lol I was thinking that too! but Im afraid that the side walls may be load bearing
 
turningtim

turningtim

Active Member
Originally Posted by lauremf2002
http:///forum/post/2952134
lol I was thinking that too! but Im afraid that the side walls may be load bearing
Naaw, it will work. just drain the tank down as much as possible and cut away. I would use a RotoZip instead of the jig saw......
 
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