Starting 5x2x2! Need help with tank design

[mozesyap]

It will probably an aquarium chiller.. maybe an Artica or a Teco...
I got a CL650 practically unused kept in my store a quite a while.. might sell it off though. Need to bring it out and see if it is still working.....

[himyick]

Thanks for your reply guys.
One thing that keeps me worrying about sump is the amount of noise it would make. Can anyone who is currently using sump give some opinion? Is it pretty noisy?

My tank maker installed an additional elbow to minimise the splashing noises made by water overflowing into sump. A small hole is drilled on top of the overflow pipe to prevent air lock, another small hole is drilled on top of the return pipe to prevent water from siphoning back into the sump when the pump stops or power cut. Simple and effective. Hope it helps you.

[David Moses Heng]

something that i have designed for my clients. Hope it helps.

Its a 422 with provision for sump. But what they did in the end is connected 1 fx5 through the holes drilled for the pipes on the Right Hand Side and also a 2028 on the Left Hand Side.

Cheers!

[deacon]

What chiller are you going to use? An aquarium chiller or a aircon compressor chiller ?

do people still use aircon compressor as chiller? just think of the utility bill!!

[sfk7]

For a big tank it might be more efficient in lowering the temperature so in turn use less electricity in the long run

[BFG]

do people still use aircon compressor as chiller? just think of the utility bill!!

Yes, mainly for big tanks with sump especially for marine setup. Mine only took 25 minute to chill 1 degrees from 26 to 25 degrees and stay offline for 2hr++. If it rains, it stay offline for 3hr.

[mozesyap]

Thanks Altum_lover76. Nice drawing you have there.

So BFG, how do you hook up your chilling system?

[BFG]

The air-con compressor will be connected to either copper piping that is coiled at 1 end or titanium piping that is also coiled at 1 end. The coiled end of the piping will be placed in the sump at the last compartment where the return pump would be placed. If copper piping is used, the coiled end will be coated by a rubber coating of some sort to prevent the copper from reacting with the tank water.

http://www.absolutereef.com/forums/i...dpost&p=130478

[mozesyap]

Wow just saw the link. A full aircon compressor!

Anyway, I dont think my wife would like a aircon compressor in the house.

So I would probably just use a normal chiller and hook my chiller up to the sump. I don't want so many pipes in the tank.

[BFG]

If your home has the air-con ledge, you might place the compressor there.

[mozesyap]

My aircon ledge is very far away though.

I was looking at the thread from the reef forum and it looks like it is pretty efficient. But I not sure.. I would probably go simple with a chiller and see how it works out.

But anyway here's my current overview plan for the setup:

- 5x2x2 tank with sump (will probably have to work with whoever makes my tank on the overflow system now I got some idea of how it all works)

- MH probably hanging from the ceiling.

- Chiller (One of the reliable brands Artica / Teco)

- CO2 will probably also be diffused in the sump and delivered via the sump system.

+ all other accessories...

Now to start on the more detailed plan

Am I missing anything on the high level setup?

[BFG]

What I forsee a need for is a container that could hold some spare water for topping up. If you want to automate water top-up, use this. Currently, I am using this for my setup.

http://www.tunze.com/149.html?&L=1&C..._tunzeprod_pi1[predid]=-infoxunter036

Another thing to note is the pvc connection for your tank. Try to use pvc accessories that can be easily removed without being permanently siliconed to the tank. High end pvc valves has adjustable valve movement to suit the individual strength while cheap pvc valve are hard to turn.

[bossteck]

Like what Rohaizal mention, think about whether you want auto top-up system.
Also UV sterilizer, you also need to decide if you want the return pump to be in or outside the sump.

[mozesyap]

I think I am going to skip on auto topup since I am not going marine, and don't have to worry about the salt water concentration.

Probably not UV also unless I am having serious problem.

Can the return pump be outside the sump? Something like a canister filter?
I was thinking more of the normal pump.

Bossteck, Is there any difference having it in or outside the sump?

Again thanks for everyones advice so far.

[bossteck]

Can, most suitably pumps that can be used as return pump for sumps can be used internally or externally.

For External pump: What is done is you either drill a hole in your sump and connect it to the pump, or use a hose (u shape). Advantage, because the pump is running externally, less heat is transmitted to your water. Disadvantage, more potential point of failure. Risk of overheating if pipe / hose is blocked for any reason.

[BFG]

I think I am going to skip on auto topup since I am not going marine, and don't have to worry about the salt water concentration.

Not for saltwater concentration but the auto top-up is used to add water to maintain a certain water level in the sump tank automatically. No marine enthusiast I know use it to add saltwater to their tank, it will raise the salinity level higher than what is needed. It is really useful if you need to travel for business or leisure, when you are away from the tank for a long period of time.

[mozesyap]

I thought auto top-up is used to top up the marine tanks with fresh water so that the salinity in the system will remain constant. So it is much less important for freshwater tanks.

But anyway thanks for the suggestion

@Bossteck I think I will just do it the normal water by having the pump internal

I will probably have to start a new thread in the near future to ask about more specifics