How do you have your Hex Tank set up?

[jinky3dper]

Where do you have your skimmer/sump/heaters/powerheads...etc?
I'm trying to get ideas for what I should do with my set up. I'm going ahead with setting up the FREE hex tank that I got...It's 40/42 gals (something like that). Free kicks ass. Anyway, I just have to start planning on how I should run things.
I planned on having a sump, skimmer and the tank is going to be FOWLR.
I would like to conceal as much of the equipment as possible, like keeping the heaters/skimmer in the sump and the sump would be in the base. What would be a good way to get/return water from the tank?
Any help is appreciated (post pics if you can)!

 

[jinky3dper]

^bump^

 

[dreeves]

I have a small 10 gallon hex tank for goofing with...it is setup adjacent to my 45 (about an inch away)...I made a small overflow which drains down to a T into the main overflow from the 45, then on to the basement to the sump...then to feed the tank (water supply), I put a 1x1x1/2 T about a foot below the top of the 45...this T goes to a 1/2 ball valve and supplies the water to the 10...
Only thing visible in the 10 is the small Lee's plastic container I used to make part of the overflow with...and of course the return spray bar...

 

[jinky3dper]

awesome...do you have any pics or diagrams of it? i'm scratching my head for ideas because i want as much hidden as possible, i.e. skimmer, heaters...etc...
here's what i was thinkin...
Questions:
-What size should the pipes be for send/returns?
-How do I get the water to the sump?
-What size should my sump be?
-CPR Bak Pak II a good skimmer?
-What kind of pump should I use to get the water back into the main tank?
I like the simple set up. Keepin' it clean and easier.
TIA!!!

 

[dreeves]

Originally posted by jinky3dper
awesome...do you have any pics or diagrams of it? i'm scratching my head for ideas because i want as much hidden as possible, i.e. skimmer, heaters...etc...
here's what i was thinkin...
Questions:
-What size should the pipes be for send/returns?
Most overflows are either 1 inch or 1 1/4 inch...for a "send" I used 1 inch on my tanks, wish I had used the 1 1/4 now though...The return lines will be determined by the pump you decide on..
-How do I get the water to the sump?
Overflow system...LifeReef, Tidepool SOS and so on...
-What size should my sump be?
Whatever size you can fit in the area in which you have to work in...the bigger is usually better...if not for the room it provides...but the water volume increase it produces...
-CPR Bak Pak II a good skimmer?
Don't know...
-What kind of pump should I use to get the water back into the main tank?
Alot of people here use the MagDrive pumps...I tried that route prior to moving my filtration to the basement...didnt really like the pressure it produced...in the basement I went with Little Giant pumps...they are external only...the Mag can be submerged.
I like the simple set up. Keepin' it clean and easier.
Good luck on the simple setup
TIA!!!