Quick question 180 build... Need help asap

[cimbpin]

I am in the process of getting my 180 running with a sump and refugium. I already transferred all of my tank contents from my 110 non-overflow to the new to me 180 with built in overflows. Until I got the overflow adapters, I was just running the tank as if it had no overflows using my hang on overflow and skimmer as a hang on.

As I am setting up the new wet/dry/sump, refugium configuration, I find that because my wooden stand had a built in drawer, I am unable to run the skimmer in wet/dry sump... I just can't get to the collection cup to dump without having to remove the stand's drawer every time... a real PITA. So, I am hoping it's ok to run the skimmer in the refugium. The return pumps will be located to the left of the refugium in a seperate "tank"... a rubbermaid tote.

So 2 overflow inflows on the right into the wet/dry trickle-down. Hang on overflow from the wet/dry into the refugium in the middle, with skimmer in the refugium. Overflow into the tote on the left with 2 return pumps (I don't have the $ yet to buy a more powerful single pump to pump to the 2 returns with one pump). Does this sound workable? I have eveything in place and just wanted to check with all of you VERY smart folks to see if my plan is good before I let the water flow start.

Somebody ask me how wet I am right now! LOL

[david426]

um...ok....I'll bite....HOW WET ARE YOU?

It sounds workable to get it going until you convert it to what you're planning; kinda hard to visualize w/o pics

[Fly Guy]

How wet are you right now??

[cimbpin]

How much water does a pair of Levis hold??? I weigh 3 lbs more now that I did when I started!!!

I'll try to post a pic in a few... of the build, not the jeans!

[Fly Guy]

ok...

need a pic. would help greatly.

I dont hear anything that wont work at first glance, although there are a copuple things that arent ideal, but i think yu know that already....

I may have a solutuion or two if I can see some pics or a little different explanation........maybe

[cimbpin]

left: Tote contains 2 pumps to return. One goes straight up on the left (only see a smidge in the pic) Clear tubing at top of pic with green valve is return to right side of tank.

Center: refugium (don't mind water in ther... nothing running yet) Skimmer in refugium. Gray tube from refug. to left tote has filter med. on end to keep critters from flowing to tote. Gray tube flows <--- to the pumps in the tote.

Gray tubing at top is overflow input from left built in flows ---> to wet/dry.

On Right is raised wet/dry with hang on overflow to refugium. Wetdry takes in both the gray tubing from the left main tank overflow and the right main tank overflow (can't see to take a pic.) I CAN slide out tray to clean filter in trickle tray though.

Big clamp is only on plastic and is there to keep the gray overflow tube from refug. to tot from shifting.

[david426]

Whew...my brain hurts!
Took me a while to wrap my brain around your configuration. It looks like it would work; only trouble that I see initially is that the return pumps may starve out before the drain water gets back to the left hand tote. Can you just put the return pumps in the fuge? It seems to me you could possibly eliminate the left hand tote altogether if return pumps are in fuge. If it were to work as is I suppose it would increase total system water but at the same time creates one more overflow box to monitor against clogs. I reckon you want some algae in the fuge perhaps that's why you've got your pumps in that tote. It wouldn't be too hard to cut some glass baffles and make a pump chamber in your glass fuge. Oh and to answer your question put your skimmer where you can it will work.

[cimbpin]

Originally Posted by david426

Whew...my brain hurts!
Took me a while to wrap my brain around your configuration. It looks like it would work; only trouble that I see initially is that the return pumps may starve out before the drain water gets back to the left hand tote. Can you just put the return pumps in the fuge? It seems to me you could possibly eliminate the left hand tote altogether if return pumps are in fuge. If it were to work as is I suppose it would increase total system water but at the same time creates one more overflow box to monitor against clogs. I reckon you want some algae in the fuge perhaps that's why you've got your pumps in that tote. It wouldn't be too hard to cut some glass baffles and make a pump chamber in your glass fuge. Oh and to answer your question put your skimmer where you can it will work.

yes, I can put them there but the issue I am trying to avoid will be present again.... micro bubbles returning to the main.

[OneDummHikk]

Originally Posted by cimbpin

yes, I can put them there but the issue I am trying to avoid will be present again.... micro bubbles returning to the main.

Put bubble traps in it to prevent bubbles, that is what they are for

You have two potential points of failure with that setup. Both being the overflow/siphons from one container to the next. If any of them lose siphon then your pumps will run dry due to lack of water.