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ShaunW

Advanced Reefer
Location
Australia
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Answering the question of in sump or hang on is important. Do you have a sump? and does it have enough room to house a skimmer?
 

nanoreefer22

Live Sale Pioneer
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Location
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okay a sump is a filter that goes under tank with hoses goin on top of tank if thats the case i have a sump eheim 2217


No thats a canister filter. A sump is another tank completely that goes under your main tank, in which you can house all your equipment. Not only does it give you a place for equipment but it gives you the added water volume which is turn is more stability.

You have a drain from the main tank down to the sump and a return pump that will pump water back up to the tank. It's completely different from a canister filter.

www.melevsreef.com has some nice sumps and you can probably get a better picture of what it is from that site.

-Kris
 

digitalreefer

Senior Member
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What you have is a canister filter. A sump is another tank (modified of course) to hold equipment. Your main tank drains into the sump via internal or external overflow and a pump pushes the water back into the tank via return pipes.
 

digitalreefer

Senior Member
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There's 2 ways to drain into a sump. One is drilling the tank, which can only be done when nothing is in the tank, so that may not be an option. The other is an external overflow box. Check marinedepot.com or ask on the WTB forum. You'll then need the sump itself, a return pump, and pvc for the plumbing. Like Kris said... check out melev's site for a better idea of what you'll need.
 

Deanos

Old School Reefer
Location
Bronx, NY 10475
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Marine Setup 102

Many of your questions and potential questions are covered in that link. Once you've got an understanding of how to set up a reef tank, you'll be better prepared to understand the costs.

Unfortunately, it takes more than money to be successful in this hobby.
 

duke62

Advanced Reefer
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im tryin so hard

alright i know it takes more then money i am tryin really hard but this is confusin the crap out of me.im by my tank constantly.when i first started i had no idea how hard it was goin to be.sumps hang ons filters no filters lights 65w 75w 100w skimmers **** my head is spinnin.now my r/o unit is pumpin out 1.0 in ammonia it was supposed to make 1500 gallons before i needed a change now its only been 300 gal im about to just give up and buy a boa constrictor all i have to do is give it heat and a rat every 2 weeks.
 

digitalreefer

Senior Member
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Duke... here's what I would suggest. First, get a new ammonia test. Re-test your RO and your tank water with the new test and take action from there. Secondly, go look at other people's tanks and see how they have them set up. Ask questions, learn what people are doing and why and plan your setup accordingly. I'm getting ready to tear down my tank and set it up better, adding a sump and making some other big changes. I would welcome the help and you could probably learn quite a bit by seeing the equipment and how it works together. Let me know if you're interested and I'll let you know when I'm doing it. Third, start reading everything you can find, one topic at a time here on MR, and on sites like Melev's, and get yourself a good book or 10. Don't give up... it's tough but worth it.
 

duke62

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thanks

believe me with 2 kids a home and a wife its pretty hard to get away .i would like to see your setup but i can not take a day to get to bklyn.but since i have lived there for 20 years we have alot of family we visit so when we get down there ill give u a shout,thanks bro.but for me should i get a hang on skimmer for now like the bermuda one u sent the link to
 

duke62

Advanced Reefer
Rating - 100%
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thanks dig

you are bein very helpful man i appreciate it tremendosly.i really should have read up on all this 9mths ago when i started i did not figure it was this difficult but i guess with time and everyones helpful hints i will be alot more knowledgeable in the future that is why im on this computer constantly
 

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