Dream tank that i am designing.

[Hajra]

ok well hopefully i can do this but i want input from people that are more experienced than i. I dont know much about sumps but with a tank this big i want to have one on it for copodes amongst other things. i only know one thing for sure that will be going in it right now. though it will be a few years before i build it, i am trying to get the design of it right. I have to figure out how to get it into a program that i can post it here.       

[Bergy]

you might want to verbally describe yoru ideal tank, your DREAM tank...

and then folks will contribute if they can.. .but right now, your message is a bit 'open ended' and ambigous as to what you want from us

[Hajra]

   the tank is measurements are gonna be 60in X 32in High X 24in wide. that is about 200 gallons. but what i am trying to figure out is the sump. I am not sure how big to have it or anything. I do know that i want to try and put a refugium in it so that i can keep copodes inthe tank for the dragonette to eat. i have never built a sump and i am told that its easy. i just want ideas and expieences from everyone

[Bergy]

for the sump dimensions you will want to figure out a few things...

What type of skimmer are you going to have, and how big is it...

you also want to know if you are going to have submersible return pump or external..

You will also want to know how you are going to plumb your display tank, so you can estimate how much water will back flow tothe sump if the pump fails or the electricity goes out...

other then that, there aint nothing to it...

[Hajra]

ok please correct me if i am wrong. water runs to the sump then the skimmer. runnoff with the tank that way the water level never changes. Thank you very much for all the help.  please point out anthing that you even think wouldnt be right with my description. i am workin on it as much as i can and dont want anything to be off. I dont know how big the sump needs to be or much of anything about one. i been reading up on them. any sump related info you can give that would help me to figure size build setup and flow would be helpful.

[Hajra]

 how much of a run off or overflow reservoir would i need if i get a pump that will move the water in the tank ten times an  hour?? would i need extra circulation? i if i can get the sump to move 10 times of the water will that work???

[Bergy]

Jay,

Please read your messages to yourself... read them outloud or something... they are really hard to read / understand...

I know i shouldnt give lessons like this cause i write horribly.. but, I have heard from  a couple members as they ask me what you are saying so they can help.. .(they arent trying to be rude or mean or anything... they just want to understand without misunderstanding)


It seems like your last two comments/questions are talking about a couple different things... BATTERY BACKUP and FLOW RATE, (and maybe skimmer location too?)

But, it also looks like you are asking about flow rate while on battery backup

Along with being able to scan pictures...





I will guess at a couple of them...  Battery back up probably wont work with those type of motors / pumps  unless you get a more expensive battery back up thingy...  Also, this does not rule out a plumbing problem or anything...

It is too easy to try to figure out how mush space you might need in your sump for power or pump failure...  and if done right, is the BEST protection against floods that there is...

The sump will have a compartment that the return pump will be located, and that section will be the only section that will show the signs of evaporation, as the water level will remain constant in all the other area...

anyways, sorry for the call out on the writing 101 thing... like i said, i am the worst writer normally...

[Hajra]

your ok. its just what i expected. if you dont understand feel free to ask questions to clairify. i wasnt aware of how it sounded. i changed it to make it hopefully easier read. Bill usually you are really straight forward and i like that. so to everyone, thanks for your help and if you cant understand what i am askin or need clarification you are more than welcome to ask questions.i am not real  good with all the lingo. lol. workin on it though

[Bergy]

thanks for understanding.. my message was not meant as an insult or attack in anyway.. just trying to 'understand' so we can get to whatever it is you want..

I hope my info was correct and that is what you were lookin for.. if not.. let us know...

ttyl

and gobble, wobble wobble

[Hajra]

your good Bill. i dont think of it as attacking. lol. i think of it like try this or reword that and you may get better results. you know. usually you are very respectful to everyone unless they give you reason not to be. oh and i need to ask what all the abbrevations. i know some like LR and lfs and like that but some of them i dont.

[Bergy]

Cool, thanks

So, hows about decribing your dream tank and or ask people what thier dream tanks would be like and what equipment, etc...

[Hajra]

for a sump what equipment do you think i need??

[Bergy]

get the biggest tank that will fit wher you want it, and just install some baffles and get a two compartment sump..

make one section big enough for your skimmer and the rest is all good

[Hajra]

doing it that way would i be able to have a refrigum in it too???

[Just_Greg]

just something to consider in terms of tank dimensions...a 32" tall tank will be pretty much impossible to service (you'll never reach the bottom without a mask and snorkel).  i'm just shy of 6' tall, and one of my systems is a 50 gal pentagon that is about 20" high, and i with the canopy on, i can't reach the bottom unless i get on a short kitchen step ladder, and even then, i can't see what i'm doing because my head is over the tank.  the canopy adds about 4"-5" to the tank depth, so figure about a two foot tall tank.  i pretty much dread doing anything in that tank.

conversely, our 100 gal is also 20" tall, but there's no canopy, so i can reach the bottom fine.

just thought you might want to ponder this before you get too far along with your plans...

as for all this "what do i need?", etc.  it would be helpful to know what you plan on keeping in the tank, or at least what kind of tank it will be.  the more research and forethought you give this will save you time, trouble, sanity and money in the longrun.