gbishop Posted November 23, 2003 Share Posted November 23, 2003 Hi all I am going to upgrade my current reef tank to a complete new system, including a fuge & sump. I have been playing with a few designs and would like comments on if it looks workable. Any better ideas welcomed. I have built it in 3D mainly for me to get a better idea as to how it will look/work, so be gentle with your comments.... The first picture is of the filter tank. I was planning on having the option of putting a sponge, carbon & bio balls as required. This will flow through this first. The next picture is of the sump/fuge. The flow will come directly out of the filter tank into a simple overflow section (rear right), into the 1st chamber which will house a Seaclone Skimmer and one/two heaters. After that it will go through the bubble trap (1" gap") into the fuge chamber. Then over another overflow section in the rear left corner, where it will be pumped back up to the display tank. The next picture is of the main tank. I have put a simple overflow in the rear right corner for the drain pipe and a spreader bar on the return pipe. The last picture is what I am hoping it will resemble. I have tried to use as simple design as possible and will probably have a ball valve on the main drain to adjust the flow etc. All constructive comments welcomed. Gary Link to comment
Pigup Posted November 23, 2003 Share Posted November 23, 2003 nice art work!, but i see a few potential problems to begin with, it seems like the order of filtration is incorrect. Ussually, you want the dirty tank water to go through the skimmer, then the grass, then the bioballs...first mechanical, then natural/chemical, then biological. this order increases efficiency... but, about the bioballs...you might hear from other members that they are not as beneficial as might think, for they prevent live rock and live sand from developing fully. they also might speed up the production of nitrates, causing further headaches. a thought: depending on what sort of life you do want in the refuge, you might not even need the skimmer...look into mangroves, once they take root, yer skimmer starts to output less and less, i've witnessed this myself. hopes this helps, and good luck. Link to comment
wingsfan Posted November 23, 2003 Share Posted November 23, 2003 nice lookin pictures,,,,,,, what software are you using to create them Link to comment
gbishop Posted November 23, 2003 Author Share Posted November 23, 2003 Thanks for the reply Pigup, I was unsure as to the order of filtration. I wondered if having either the skimmer or bio filter after the fuge would reduce any beneficial elements produced from it. I will have a play around with my design and swap things round as you suggested. Wingsfan: they were created using 3D Max. I'm only a novice with this software, but even so it helps me visualize my ideas etc... Link to comment
gbishop Posted November 24, 2003 Author Share Posted November 24, 2003 Hi Guys, I have thought about my design and come up with this: The flow will come in from the rear right into the skimmer chamber, then pass over the first bubble trap into the fuge (front half), then over the bubble trap on the left (bio filter) and up the return. It will also mean only using the one tank. Does this seem a more efficient design? Link to comment
Pigup Posted November 25, 2003 Share Posted November 25, 2003 looks good, however, it might be a bit tricky to build it... Link to comment
Pigup Posted November 25, 2003 Share Posted November 25, 2003 oh, and consider placing some sponge/floss before the skimmer, just so you don't get huge turds in there. Link to comment
gbishop Posted November 25, 2003 Author Share Posted November 25, 2003 Pigup: I am not going to build it myself, but rather send my design to a manufacturer who will build the tank, cabinet, fuge & plumbing etc... Link to comment
wetworx101 Posted November 25, 2003 Share Posted November 25, 2003 get rid of the floss. Link to comment
regius34 Posted November 28, 2003 Share Posted November 28, 2003 where did you get this software. i would like to use it to plan a nano-reef in the future so i can get an idea how i want to set it up thank you Link to comment
gbishop Posted November 28, 2003 Author Share Posted November 28, 2003 http://www.discreet.com http://www.3dmax.com Couple of links for you.... Link to comment
skeletor Posted November 29, 2003 Share Posted November 29, 2003 I think that design is going to give you problems.... the lowest point, ie, the chamber where the pump is, looks to small in volume to me. This is where the water level will change during the day, and where your auto top-off sensor will live ()... I would get rid of the extra stuff around the return pump and have a nice big chamber there for the return pump etc. I'm sure you figured out the overflow volume of the main tank and have made room in the sump for all that water.. what sort of flow are you looking to get ? and what are the tank volumes ? I would put a SCWD on the return line, mount it in the tank and throw some rock in front of it. it will save having to have powerheads in the tank and will give you a much nicer water movement than the spray bar (IMO).. -skeletor- Link to comment
gbishop Posted November 29, 2003 Author Share Posted November 29, 2003 What is a "SCWD" ? Link to comment
skeletor Posted November 29, 2003 Share Posted November 29, 2003 SCWD's are a very cheap little wave maker.. http://www.3iqventures.com/buynow.html -skeletor- Link to comment
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