Planning Design of Office Tank

[calming-creations]

Hello Everyone:

I have been asked to help out a dear friend setup his office tank. We have some restrictions, but I am looking for some advice on how to setup the guts of the plumbing for the tank.

Current Equipment involves:
- Tank is a 120H with two corner overflows (60" L x 18" W x 26" H)
- Sump is a CPR AquaFuge MP with a 21 gallon capacity (refugium - 10 gallons)

Future Equipment (to be determined):
- Skimmer unsure if we are going to do an in sump or stand-alone model
- Pump we are looking to get an external return pump

The office has already been remodeled and no more construction will be able to be preformed. So we are restricted to the following cabinet dimensions:

External Dimensions: 62 3/4" L x 19" W x 36" H
Internal Dimensions: 55" L x 13" W x 31 1/2" H

The plumbing design I was thinking about was using both overflows with ball valves leading into one outlet to the sump. I was then going to use the CPR AquaFuge as the sump with dimensions of 30 1/2" L x 12" W x 14" H.

We will then use an external dry pump to return the water back up to the overflows. I was considering using with a T-split with one outlet leading to the overflows and the other leading to an external skimmer.

I am unsure of the best approach to take in order to setup a proper plumbing design. I am looking for suggestions for the best plumbing design.

Thanks in advance for your help.
Joe

 

[Ben1]

Where abouts in north east PA, I work near Allentown.

In anycase I dont have many ideas on your plumbing, but is that the biggest sump you can get away with? Also if you are set on an external skimmer be sure it is one with an autoshut off, so you dont need to worry about overflows. I used my euro-reef rc135 external for awhile but had it overflow a few times and now its in my sump untill m enew skimmer comes in.

Good Luck

 

[calming-creations]

Ben:

I'm not set on an external skimmer and do understand the risks involved in the skimmer possibly overflowing.

What sump size would you suggest this this 120 gallon display tank?

I'm located in Scranton, PA, but the tank is located in Factoryville, PA about 20 minutes north.

Thanks,
Joe

 

[Ben1]

Ah I dont think that is to close to me.

As far as the sump it seemed a bit small to me thats all, I use a 20L for my 58 and if my power goes out it gets pretty full, ontop of that its a bit tight if I ever need to work in there. If I was you can had the space I would get something along the lines of a 40 breeder and have some glass panes cut and silicone them inplace to create the areas/baffles you need.

Certain external skimmers dont overflow AFAIK like a PM Bullet 3 with an auto-shut off waste collector. OTOH, some will over flow like I mentioned my euro-reef. I know I'd be pissed if my office had a leak on the floor, at home its less of an issue.