Upgrading my 65 gallon Reef - Sump/fuge

2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Al&Burke http:///forum/thread/383256/upgrading-my-65-gallon-reef-sump-fuge/100#post_3362397
Change of plans - I wasn't happy with the way the acrylic sump turned out - I will save it for something else. I went out and bought a 20 gallon long that will fit perfectly in the stand. Now with the sump operating there will be 15 gallons of SW, I figured from my plumbing drawing when the pump is off I will get approximately 3 gallons returned into the sump. Do you think this is OK. Also Shawn or Corey or anyone else if I make acrylic baffles how much of a gap should I leave for expansion of the acrylic baffles.
Thanks Al
3 gallons of draw would boil down to an extra 1.8" worth of rise in the sump.
15g would technically be 9" inside of a 20G tank that is 12" tall.
So that leaves you 3" max to work with. Maybe 3/8" less if you accoun for the inner lip on the plastic trip piece around top.
So 9" + 1.8" = 10.8" total.
I'd say that it gives you a safe zone of about 3/4" left to play with before it becomes dangerous.
Al, we discussed the baffle issue quite a bit back on one of my older threads. According to Shawns contact (James from Envision Plastics?). I believe he recommended leaving a 1/8" gap on each side. So 1/4" short the distance from one side of the tank to the other on the ******** sides of the panes to allow for expansion.
 
al&burke

al&burke

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///forum/thread/383256/upgrading-my-65-gallon-reef-sump-fuge/120#post_3362405
3 gallons of draw would boil down to an extra 1.8" worth of rise in the sump.
15g would technically be 9" inside of a 20G tank that is 12" tall.
So that leave's you 3" max to work with. Maybe 3/8" less if you accoun for the inner lip on the plastic trip piece around top.
So 9" + 1.8" = 10.8" total.
I'd say that it gives you a safe zone of about 3/4" left to play with before it becomes dangerous.
Al, we discussed the baffle issue quite a bit back on one of my older threads. According to Shawns contact (James from Envision Plastics?). I believe he recommended leaving a 1/8" gap on each side. So 1/4" short the distance from one side of the tank to the other on the ******** sides of the panes to allow for expansion.
I was hoping you were going to chime in Corey - what about a check valve right at the pump discharge. I feel it is cutting it a bit close. Also I am going to have a 25 fuge sitting next to it. Also I was thinking of putting another 10 gallon underneath for the 40 gallon lion tank to drain into then it would drain to the sump. What do you think - the acrylic sump I made a mess of it the main body does not leak I leak checked it full at least it would be 28 gallons (when it is full to the top). Decisions decisions.
Was the 1/8 gap each side with 1/4" plexi?
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Al&Burke http:///forum/thread/383256/upgrading-my-65-gallon-reef-sump-fuge/120#post_3362410
I was hoping you were going to chime in Corey - what about a check valve right at the pump discharge. I feel it is cutting it a bit close. Also I am going to have a 25 fuge sitting next to it. Also I was thinking of putting another 10 gallon underneath for the 40 gallon lion tank to drain into then it would drain to the sump. What do you think - the acrylic sump I made a mess of it the main body does not leak I leak checked it full at least it would be 28 gallons (when it is full to the top). Decisions decisions.
Was the 1/8 gap each side with 1/4" plexi?
Actually I would try to step up one more size in the plexi if you can, Al. The 1/4" I'm certain will bow over time. And yes it would be 1/8 gap on each side of the baffle. 1/4" off of the total length of the baffle.
Is the sump really so bad?
Agreed, it's cutting it a bit close there.
 
al&burke

al&burke

Active Member
No but i don't want to post a picture, LOL - i messed up the last baffle before the pump, I glued it right to the bottom - I might just drill some 1 inch holes in the bottom of the baffle. had a tuff week family members sick i should have stayed out of the shop. On a good note i got my Eheim 5000 pump yesterday - looks nice.
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
Al, the check valves are debatable. I've seen some people that swear by them and other people say you can't count on them. I've never used them but if you do make sure you get the ones with all plastic parts (no metal). And if you can then either get the ones with built in unions or try and make sure that's it's removable for cleaning occasionally.
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Al&Burke http:///forum/thread/383256/upgrading-my-65-gallon-reef-sump-fuge/120#post_3362421
No but i don't want to post a picture, LOL - i messed up the last baffle before the pump, I glued it right to the bottom - I might just drill some 1 inch holes in the bottom of the baffle. had a tuff week family members sick i should have stayed out of the shop. On a good note i got my Eheim 5000 pump yesterday - looks nice.
Sweet, I want to get your input on the pump once you get it going. Don't see why you couldn't drill some holes or cut an opening on the bottom baffle. I've had a pretty tuff week myself. It'll get better.
 
al&burke

al&burke

Active Member
Thanks Corey - have a good night, take it easy - I will post a picture tomorrow - Shawn's not allowed to look though.
 
al&burke

al&burke

Active Member
I got a bunch of things today - first my Marineland Stealth heater was returned on the call back - I got a 300 watt eheim jagr. Went to a new LFS (not so local to me) they had a bunch of thin live rock for shelves i bought about 23 lbs of it and about 15 lbs of dry shelf rock - I should have enough for both the 65 and the 40. Have to go and take a picture of my sump for Corey. I am just going to soak the new live rock till it is ready to go in the new set up.
 
al&burke

al&burke

Active Member
I can't find my camera I think my son put it somewhere, and i forgot I got two 30 gallon tanks today for 50$ - I smelling a horse tank this summer.
 
al&burke

al&burke

Active Member
Not a bad deal for the tanks, I think, horses are in the future. You should see how big this 300 wat heater is I can't fit it into my HOB fuge so i put it in the DT, it is almost the full height. I am going to have to put it in the 25 gallon fuge i think for the upgrade.
 
al&burke

al&burke

Active Member
Another question for everyone - I am going to be taking the sand out of my 65 reef to drill it - what should I do rinse it in SW or can I just use tap water, or will the tap water kill everything.
 
gemmy

gemmy

Active Member
Since the sand is live, I would not rinse it with tap water. I'm not sure I would even rinse it with SW, since that can rinse away some of the good stuff.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
If it has not been stirred in the tank by a sandsifter...I would rinse in in SW, just swish it around in a bucket and then put it back in th tank. Don't use tap water.
If the sand was stirred up up can just add it back to the tank. Keep water over it about an inch in a container while you drill the tank.
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
Sounds good, Al. I look forward to more pics tonight. The sump really doesn't look bad. Still usable imo.
 
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