Recent content by fmjnax

Well, we're just testing the water right now, making sure the extra complexity with SW is something we can handle (thus why I'm acting like such a tight wad). Coral and fish for sure, though. Basically, just entry level stuff. Talking about manifolds and reactors is beyond our reach right now...

Thanks for elaborating 14. Makes pretty good sense to me. That also probably means that it wasn't such a great idea to plumb my canisters together. LOL! They are different brands and different pump ratings. It's been running solid for nearly 5 years now, but now it makes me wonder... ;) We're...

I'm busted! Hehehe. Yes, I have 2 identical 500GPH pumps that I was going to use in a water feature quite a while ago. They never got used, though, so they have been sitting on a shelf for a few years. They're mag-drive pumps and weren't exactly cheap, so if I can get use out of them now, I'd...

Is it possible to run multiple return pumps and achieve the same results as running a single large pump? For example, can I run two 500GPH pumps to achieve the 1000GPH return that I need? Would I have to run them on their own dedicated returns or can they be merged in to the same return?

I'll keep this one simple. My DIY acrylic HOB overflow I've been working on just isn't sitting right with me, so I think I'm going to go ahead and drill the tank. I'm going to get a kit from Glass-Holes. For a 75 gallon with a 20 gallon long sump, should I buy the 700GPH or the 1500GPH? My...

Thanks phastroh. I like that scrubber idea Erin! Looks fairly simple. I'll read up on it a bit more. Maybe I will build both and run them on our test setup and see which one wins out. ;)

I built mine about 4 years ago. I didn't take any pics during the construction phase, but I did post my 3D models on the internet (so apologies for the link to another site). I ended up building it for a 75 gallon instead of a 65 gallon, but it's still standing like a rock (it's actually way...

1" PVC will have a flow rate of about 960 GPH. Any bends (90 degree elbows, or 45's, or T's, etc) will lower this number. For my 75 gallon (that is still being worked on), we've been testing with 1" pipe and a 1000 GPH pump. We've put ball valves on each end (drain and return) to help...

I just went back and re-read the DIY plans from the site I'm using and it looks like I may have found my answer. It looks like I will need to place my skimmer pump in the first chamber of the sump. It will then pump the water to the top of the skimmer inlet. I plumb the bottom outlet of the...

Good advice, and much appreciated! I've already got my sump and overflow done and they are currently in-use (test) on a water-only setup in the shop, so buying a sump/overflow is not in the questions (at this time). However, I still don't know how to plumb the skimmer in. Hehehe. Can I just...

fastrd, you are correct. The plan is to build an external skimmer (at least to start off with). My baffles are 8" tall and I read that the taller the skimmer, the better (cor counter current skimmers, anyway). The plan is to have it ~3' and sit behind the stand. Pwny, you are also correct. The...

Making the transition from FW to SW and skimmers are a new idea to me. I understand how they work and what they're for. What I can't seem to grasp is how to plumb them in to the system. Our setup will consist of a "HOB" overflow draining in to a 20 gallon long aquarium sump. My plans are to...

Thanks wonton. Sorry, I meant powerheads, not power filters. MH or PC's aren't necessarily out of the question. It's more important to us to be able to have corals than to not have MH or PC, so if I have to use them, then I will. I forgot to mention that I do have heaters, so keeping the tank...

Hi all, new to the forum. My wife and I have been talking about getting in to the saltwater reef hobby, so here I am. I apologize in advance for the lengthy post. We currently have a 75 gallon Texas native freshwater tank that we are looking to convert over to a reef setup. I'm doing my...