Even though the overflow are on opposite ends I'm not sure that this it drained on either side and was returned from the center and even if it was it doesn't mean that you have to do the same. I would have assumed that his two overflows are plumbed so that the pipes under the tank drains on one end. There are bubble traps on both sides so the return can be on either side.
I am new to sumps so I really don't have any experience with them. So, basically you are saying that one side of the tank will be an overflow where the water goes into the sump goes through the media, protein skimmer, then the return pump will push it back up through the other side?
He's saying to plumb both of the overflows from the top tank to drain into one side of the sump. Put your return pump in the chamber on the opposite end and the water will flow through the whole thing. Most people use filter socks but there's been a trend of people switching to fleece rollers. Then in one chamber you can put skimmer, heater etc. You could also use one chamber as a refugium.
No problem! I would test it to make sure the water will flow through it that way. That sump is a little unusual when it comes to the placement of the baffles. If it were my tank I would take it outside place a water hose in one side and a return pump with tubing in the other. As long as the water flows from one side to the other without overflowing from one of the chambers it will be fine. If not, you may have to take the other dude's suggestion and plumb the overflows to each side with the return pump in the middle.
among everything else people are saying, make sure to very thoroughly clean everything.I just bought a pretty decent 125-gallon setup secondhand and it was used for freshwater setup. He made a custom 55-gallon sump to go with it. But I have never had a tank with a sump in it before. It has a return pump and the sump itself but that's it. Will this type of sump work with a saltwater setup? I am pretty sure I will need a protein skimmer but any advice would be great!
Thats a great idea
oh dont worry! I am not in a rush since I am going to strip and paint the cabinet. So I will be scrubbing this thing. I usually use 10:100 white vinegar and 1:100 bleach. Do you recommend anything different?
I did notice that when I got it. It's not broken or anything. Honestly looks like it may have caught onto something at some point. But I will verify the integrity of the beam. If not up to par what can I do to help support it?
I'm not sure there is a normal option. It depends on what you are trying to control and how much maintenance you want to do. You can add all sorts of filtration. Filter socks are great but require you to clean them regularly. Fleece rollers require much less maintenance but are pretty costly. For a bare minimum I would add a sponge from the overflow, some bio media and a protein skimmer. You can add GFO to control phosphates, carbon to keep water clear. A refugium will help control nitrates and phosphates. For me I'm just planning my 90 gallon ultra low maintenance build using the Triton Method. That will have a refugium, protein skimmer, GFO and Carbon reactor as well as a UV sterilizer.
