Hello MASC,
I recently came home to find my 29g tank had sprung a leak. After much rushing around to save the livestock and rock in a rubbermaid tub with some heat and circulation, this has become an opportunity to finally do the system upgrade I've been wanting to do. It's going to be my first system with a proper sump/refuge. Alot of the gear is already purchased, but if anyone knows anything to look out for or creative hacks I'd love to hear it.
The Hardware so far:
I recently came home to find my 29g tank had sprung a leak. After much rushing around to save the livestock and rock in a rubbermaid tub with some heat and circulation, this has become an opportunity to finally do the system upgrade I've been wanting to do. It's going to be my first system with a proper sump/refuge. Alot of the gear is already purchased, but if anyone knows anything to look out for or creative hacks I'd love to hear it.
The Hardware so far:
- 55g display tank
- 20L converted to 3 chamber sump, self assembled
- eShopps pf-1000 HoB overflow (got the smallest size dual so I can plumb it with the herbie method)
- Current USA Orbit Marine Aquarium LED Light, 48 to 60-Inch
- SeaClone 100 skimmer (on the list to replace)
- Lifegard Aquatics Quiet One Pro Pumps 2200
- Reef Octopus Classic SSS 110
- Additional Lighting
- ATO system (last thing I think I am going to have room for below the stand)
- For the drains and returns, is it ok to use standard schedule 40 for the straights and union to flex pvc for the bends, or will that lose flow over sticking with one or the other?
- Drains in the overflow are 1' PVC. I think the return pump comes with a converter to 3/4' PVC. For anyone using the pump, is the 3/4 already overkill or should I consider up sizing to a 1' return as well?
- Alot of the return plumbing into non-drilled tanks I have seen simply dumps the water out of the pipe straight down. I'm a little worried about this constantly kicking up the substrate or just leaving the bottom of the tank bare under the return. Is this a baseless concern?