Need Help Consolidating Tanks

[inkblue]

Please refer to the illustration ...so I have a 95 Wave, a 30G sump and a refugium. Right now, as you can see, I have an internal overflow that goes into my sump and I attached an external overflow that goes into the fuge.

Needless to say I found out it doesn't really work the way I thought it would... I can't seem to get the two overflows to even out, in terms of water level. I've been told that this may lead to some flooding, yes, I can see that after struggling to balance the two...

I would be grateful if anyone can suggest another way to plumb this.

I cannot have a fuge in my sump because my ASM takes up most of the space and I would really like to use the fuge tank I bought. And I don't know if I can have the fuge gravity feed my sump because I do not have the space for it.

Thanks in advance...

 

[Savager]

How about this setup,

http://www.melevsreef.com/acrylics/sumps/c/split_sump.html

 

[House of Laughter]

Option 1:

I would remove the overflow box, and "T" off the drain below the tank from the overflow - from the tee to the fuge, I'd put a gate valve to regulate the flow and have the return from the fuge run into your sump beyond the skimmer (if possible) - you didnt show returns, so it's difficult to tell where they are or how that works.

I would make sure you baffle the fuge where the pump will be housed so that if you lose power in the return pump, your fuge pump won't overflow the sump.

Option 2:

Get a HOB CPR25 and remove the liability completely.

House

 

[cali_reef]

How far is your fuge to the sump?

 

[Falco]

I had the same issue when I tried to setup something similar using 2 external overflows and I gave up after a short time because I couldn't get them to equal out. If you are planning on having 2 different return pumps than its going to make it even harder.

I would say your best bet is what Jim suggested in Option 1, T off the internal drain and then plumb the fuge into the sump and have a single return to the tank.

HTH,
Chris

 

[inkblue]

Distance: Fuge <---> Sump: 3 feet

Thanks House/Falco. Tee'ing it I guess means I have to cement the PVC to the drain... am I right with this assumption?

 

[cali_reef]

Can you drill the sump and fuge? If so, drill for 1" bulkhead on both at the desire water level and connect the two together, tee off the current tank overflow drain to feed both, I would try to feed as much water thru the fuge as possible. Ditch the HOB right away!!

 

[Falco]

Distance: Fuge <---> Sump: 3 feet

Thanks House/Falco. Tee'ing it I guess means I have to cement the PVC to the drain... am I right with this assumption?

I would put a Union up high and then T the drain (cement everything) this way later on you can change it to a single if you need to.

-Chris

 

[inkblue]

I can drill if I really need to... and I also turned off the HOB today because I couldn't risk it :happysad:

 

[drunktank]

drill the refug and have it drain into the sump. Tee off ur line into the sump and send it to the refugium. Easiest way about it. you should loose cool points for the way ur system is set up now.. hob overflow? :-/

 

[inkblue]

I know drunk... forgive me for the HOB overflow... Am asking Ronen to help out with the drilling, i think that may be the only solution. Am also gonna ask him about Tee'ing the drain as House/Falco suggested. I may have to just use PVC all the way and get it over with instead of tubing...

 

[drunktank]

u should PVC the refug to sump, makae sure u have those connector PVC fittings so you can remove either tank if needed. But u can use tubing (clear or PVC, both are flexible) for the lines into the sump and refugium. just cement barb fittings into ur bulkheads and use clamps to hold the tubing in place.

I prefer tubing into sumps b/c theres more flexability around tall skimmers and lights.

 

[inkblue]

How's this?

Revised plan...

 

[scarf_ace1981]

i like the revised plan much better.

can't you use that first compartment in the sump as a fuge also. yey! two fuge are better than one.

 

[cali_reef]

Much better!!

 

[inkblue]

Now I have to drill... :happysad: :thanks:

 

[meschaefer]

I would put the skimmer and the return pump on either side of the baffel so that you have a constant water level on the side with the skimmer.

 

[inkblue]

:arg: It wont fit there...

 

[drunktank]

by golly, i hink he's got it

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Ink Let me know I have that 10Gal tank ready for you of you need it. I can bring it with me to work just let me know.