[bluechromis]

So a few of you have been suggesting a sump, overflow and a refugium re. my last thread (my planned tank set-up). This seemed more popular than a cannister filter. I read up on the topic a little and am considering the following:

1. won't experiment with drilling holes into my tank for now
2. saw a Wet/Dry Filter from Tridepool II on Liveaquaria.com which handles 300-600 gph and which could go together with a Tridepol SOS Pre-Filter, called overflow skimmer, upto 600 gph
3. this one includes a sump which is large enough to hold a protein skimmer (am contemplating the coralife 65G /325bph one) and a heater etc.
4. as I understand that this filter would do all 3 (biological, mechanical and chemical filtration)... I did gather from many discussions though that the biological filter plus good flow is considered key...

What do you think?

(reminder: other planned items: 40g tank, 70g LR, 60g LS, substrate (aroganite), 2x96 watt power compact fluoroscent aqualight, 2 powerheads (considering Seio M620), heater)

[RyanG]

I'd just get a acrylic sump, one that you can shove as much equipment in, along with the refuge. The tide pool will over time become a nitrate magnet as well. Why? It's basically just an oversized bio wheel, which is a nitrate magnet too, just on a larger scale .

Get an hang on the back overflow, since you don't want to drill your tank. (I am the same way)

Biological plus a little mechanical and good flow are the key areas to strive for. Mechanical, so you can filter the water for food, etc.

Steer clear of the canister filter, those will just make your stomach hurt in the months ahead.

[ncdiablo]

I am in the same boat as well. No holes so it's an external overflow box that will feed down to my sump and refugium. Seems fairly simple enough and the advantage is you can move the overflow box if necessary where as those holes are so darn difficult to move in the back of the tank.....

[bluechromis]

thanks! any suggestions where to get the best acrylic sump and a good overflow box?

[RyanG]

Depends what you want, some people use either a 20 gallon aquarium and make it themselves, I ordered my from marindepot.com, it uses filter socks which I change out every week.

[blind1993]

umm nanotuners maybe idk.

[bluechromis]

blind 1933: sorry, am not understanding you...
RyanG: The sump I found on marinedepot is the Berlin Sump, which seems not high enough to hold some of the protein skimmers I have been looking at (such as the Aqua C Urchin In-Sump one). The Berlin sump is only 14 inches high; the skimmer needs 20 inches or so...??

[ilovemash]

Hey Blue I own the Tidepool wet/dry opened but never used if u are maybe interested in purchasing it.

[Tonz of fun]

I would just build it. I bought mine then realized afterwards how easy and cheaper it would have been to build one myself

[bluechromis]

yes, I keep reading about building it, but am still intimidated though.. Bruce Lee: how large a protein skimmer does the tidepool hold? (just found out it's only 12 inches high, isn't that too low for most skimmers?) btw, why don't you use it?

[ncdiablo]

This is what i am talking about as far as an overflow box, not saying this is the best priced one but just to give you an idea of what i am talking about.

CPR Overflow Boxes

I haven't found my "perfect sump/refugium" box yet but this is one I have run across.

http://www.fish.com/itemdy00.asp?T1=...ccode=FSHSHPNG

hope these work as far as links go. As far as height goes the protein skimmer can definately stick up above the walls of the sump.

[reefnoob1991]

The only thing to worry about with the HOB overflows is that the siphon from the overflow down into the sump sometimes loses its siphon

[blind1993]

nvm nanotuners does not have it.

[kh6sat]

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[ilovemash]

Blue First off one half is open so the skimmer can be tall, and i do not use it because the owner of the LFS i go to gave me an extremely nice sump for free so i use that instead. If you want it ill sell it to you just send me a pm they sell for i think 130-160 but id sell it to u for less than 100

[Tonz of fun]

Just get a 10-20 gallon for like 10 or 20 bucks and some plexiglass from the lhs and call it a day

[bluechromis]

thanks everyone - very informative! now it's decision time!