Plumbing Questions

2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
Do you already know what kind of skimmer you are going to use and how big the skimmer section is going to need to be? What size tank are you making this sump for? And is there a reason for going with a seperate container for your fuge? I know I ask alot of questions but I'm just trying to understand what you are trying to achieve so we can get a better idea of how to help make suggestions. Is the equipment going underneath a stand...how much room is in the stand?
Honestly I if you are going to have a skimmer there really isn't any other materials you could use for baffles other than glass or acrylic.
 
yannifish

yannifish

Active Member
Originally Posted by 2Quills
http:///forum/post/3285322
Do you already know what kind of skimmer you are going to use and how big the skimmer section is going to need to be? What size tank are you making this sump for? And is there a reason for going with a seperate container for your fuge? I know I ask alot of questions but I'm just trying to understand what you are trying to achieve so we can get a better idea of how to help make suggestions. Is the equipment going underneath a stand...how much room is in the stand?
Honestly I if you are going to have a skimmer there really isn't any other materials you could use for baffles other than glass or acrylic.
Questions are fine. I ask plenty of questions.
Alright, I am getting a Reef Octopus Needle/Pin Wheel skimmer. It has a 10"x6" footprint. I have a 55g tank. I am using two containers because it will be easier, and is the best way to utilize the space in my stand, which is where the sump is going. I'm not sure of the exact dimensions of the stand, but everything fits, I've had it all in there. Ill try to get my hands on some acrylic, I really don't want glass if it can be avoided.
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
Have you checked the actual foot print of the skimmer? You must take into account the pump and all. Don't know myself the actually foot print, but don't cut yourself short on space....IMO 10 gallon is small, and restrictive for space. You have more room under the stand than that don't you?
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
Originally Posted by yannifish
http:///forum/post/3285236
I don't have the abiliy to do that, but here's what I'm doing:
Watt drains from the overflow, and is split, some goes to the refugium, some to the sump. In the sump is the heater, skimmer, and return pump. The refugium drains into the pumping chamber.
That's the simple version.
Would a baffle be that necessary? I'll be using an auto top off system, and an octopus skimmer. Water level should stay within a 1/4 inch. However, I'll figure out some way to make baffles. I'd prefer not to use glass though. What elese can be used? Anything?
Search Google SketchUp and then download the free version....It's actually simple, even I could figure the basics pretty quick and do some crude drawings, and you can post your idea that way as well.....
 
yannifish

yannifish

Active Member
Originally Posted by acrylic51
http:///forum/post/3285521
Search Google SketchUp and then download the free version....It's actually simple, even I could figure the basics pretty quick and do some crude drawings, and you can post your idea that way as well.....
I never thought of SketchUp, I've used it before. It's a pretty nice program for being free.
I think the skimmer will fit. I'll double check though.
I really don't have any more room, the stand is a weird shape.
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
I take it you are getting the Reef Octopus 4 needle wheel skimmer. One site claimed the footprint was 10 x 6.5 others said 10 x 6. I would try to at least fit a 15G tank under there if there's anyway possible dimension 24" x 12" x 12".
Maybe it's a good time to build a new stand...
 
yannifish

yannifish

Active Member
Originally Posted by 2Quills
http:///forum/post/3285566
I take it you are getting the Reef Octopus 4 needle wheel skimmer. One site claimed the footprint was 10 x 6.5 others said 10 x 6. I would try to at least fit a 15G tank under there if there's anyway possible dimension 24" x 12" x 12".
Maybe it's a good time to build a new stand...

Lol, it's hard to build a stand under 55 gallons of water.
I think the skimmer will work. The chamber is 4 inches in diameter, and the pump is included. It's a fairly low profile skimmer, I'm not worried about it fitting. It should even fit the long way.
I just have no way of getting a 15 gallon tank. Besides, the ten should work fine.
Rememeber I have the fuge too.
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
I'm sure it will work, get your hands on some acrylic and try it out. I used a router with a flush trim bit for cutting my acrylic baffles. Or like I said, any glass shop will cut them to size for ya. Keep us posted, and try to get some pics of the project...we like pics.
 
yannifish

yannifish

Active Member
Originally Posted by 2Quills
http:///forum/post/3285633
I'm sure it will work, get your hands on some acrylic and try it out. I used a router with a flush trim bit for cutting my acrylic baffles. Or like I said, any glass shop will cut them to size for ya. Keep us posted, and try to get some pics of the project...we like pics.
I think it will work too. I'm looking forward to seeing this happen.
I'll keep you updated. I'll start a new thread once the build starts. I'll see what I can do for pics.
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by yannifish
http:///forum/post/3285641
I think it will work too. I'm looking forward to seeing this happen.
I'll keep you updated. I'll start a new thread once the build starts. I'll see what I can do for pics.

Sounds good...btw, here's a pic of my sump when I first put it together while I was testing it out.
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
55G sump going on a 125G tank. Once I'm done with building my new stand and everything it will work alot like what you are trying to do. I've already drilled my display tank for the 2 drains. Both drains will enter on the left and then go through the skimmer, one drain will be split to feed the fuge on the right hand side of the sump. I wanted to go with the biggest sized sump that I could to help maximize overall water volume. It's one of the main reasons why I'm building a new stand to be able to accomidate a large sump.
 
yannifish

yannifish

Active Member
Originally Posted by 2Quills
http:///forum/post/3285650
55G sump going on a 125G tank. Once I'm done with building my new stand and everything it will work alot like what you are trying to do. I've already drilled my display tank for the 2 drains. Both drains will enter on the left and then go through the skimmer, one drain will be split to feed the fuge on the right hand side of the sump. I wanted to go with the biggest sized sump that I could to help maximize overall water volume. It's one of the main reasons why I'm building a new stand to be able to accomidate a large sump.
Are they glass or acrylic baffles?
What kind of silicon did you use?
I would build a new stand, but I am not taking my tank down. That would be rather counter productive, I would say.
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
Those are acrylic/plexiglass baffles but I already dissasembled the sump because I decided that I want to make some changes. I'm going to re-do it with glass baffles just because I was affraid the ones I origionally put in there were to thin and cheap to last the long term. I can get glass for super cheap because my wife's company does a lot of business with one of our local glass shops. The glass baffles will hold better with the silicone. I wanted to make the skimmer chamber bigger for the skimmer that I finally decided that I want. Origionally I used 100% silicone for windows, doors and atticks but realized this probably wasn't the best idea so I will be using the clear stuff in the picture that I showed you earlier in this thread.
We recently moved last month so I was taking my tank down anyways and this is why I decided to make all these new changes. I have my fish in another one of my 55G tanks right now, they will be fine in there untill I'm finished with my build hopefully in the next few monthes tops.
 
yannifish

yannifish

Active Member
Alright, thanks.
I was at the hardware store today, planning on gettig PVC fittings, and soon realized I had no idea what I need. I thought I did, but didn't. I'll have to order some stuff.
Okay, stupid question time.
How do you attach the pump to the PVC?
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
Originally Posted by yannifish
http:///forum/post/3285858
Alright, thanks.
I was at the hardware store today, planning on gettig PVC fittings, and soon realized I had no idea what I need. I thought I did, but didn't. I'll have to order some stuff.
Okay, stupid question time.
How do you attach the pump to the PVC?
When I need "fittings" and the husband is not with me....I just take the stuff with me, tell teh worker what needs to happen, ...and have the hardware guy put it together.
so far I have never had an issue
except the CRAPPY hardware stores that are local to me never have exactly what I need...so I always have to get "extra" pieces to make it work...but it works
 
yannifish

yannifish

Active Member
Originally Posted by acrylic51
http:///forum/post/3285869
Threaded adapters....What kind of pump?
The one that came with my filter, its a Rapids Submersible Pump.
I'll be getting a Mad-Drive in the future.
Originally Posted by meowzer
http:///forum/post/3285875
When I need "fittings" and the husband is not with me....I just take the stuff with me, tell teh worker what needs to happen, ...and have the hardware guy put it together.
so far I have never had an issue
except the CRAPPY hardware stores that are local to me never have exactly what I need...so I always have to get "extra" pieces to make it work...but it works
Okay, I don't have a Home Depot where I live, but do have two very good local hardware stores.
I will go back tomorrow or Monday.
 
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