The start of something big

[Rslinger]

Like the title says I am in the process of putting in a large system. I don’t even know if I am posting in the right area but currently I am hooking up a 150 gallon sump. I am going to connect it to my existing 75 gallon display. I am looking for a couple of frag tanks and maybe a 180 gallon display in the future. I have been in the hobby for 12 years. I started to plum and build the sumps area a couple of weeks ago. I have the best platform built, most of the plumbing is finished, and 3/4 full of water. But I have run into a question. I have a huge Reeflo skimmer that is plumed into a Mag 24. The skimmer drains back into the tank when I shut the Mag off. I only want to run it a few hours a day until I get more tanks hooked up in the system. The problem is that it will mess with my ATO. It raises the water depth 2 in. Do I could A. put in a check valve and hold the water in the skimmer or B. Plumb the skimmer into my manifold and just shut off the skimmers pump that puts air in the water. This would leave my skimmer running lots of water through it with no air in it. What would you do?

 

[Winschuc]

You could always just leave the skimmer running. It's only going to pull what you put in and it'll add oxygen to the water from continuous running. If that's not an option, I'd go with the check valve. It'll also save you some headache in the future when you get more tanks online (if not using check valves on them). Each one of them will add more water to the sump when they turn off - increasing the water level.

Either way you go, this looks like the start of a nice system. Good luck!

 

[Rslinger]

Thank you for your reply. I guess I was just worried about over skimming. I set the last baffle in ten inches high. I did the math and I should be able to handle 60 gallons of pipe water and tank flow back. Currently with my 75 as the only tank hooked up the pipe water and flow back is under 10 gallons. That’s right I got it running yesterday. And I think I found a 48*36*10 frag tank. Can’t wait to get that hooked in.

 

[Winschuc]

I'm sure there are fairly large "conversations" (*cough* arguments) on the forums about over skimming. I'd recommend searching for those and seeing what you think. I had a SRO 6000 (rated for 500-600g) on a 150g tank for a little over a year and never saw a problem. Though, I also have the problem of feeding my fish quite frequently, to the point that all my fish probably need a weight watchers membership (cant stand the sight of skinny fish).

 

[Rslinger]

Well I have hit the point of substantial completion on phase I. I ordered a frag tank off eBay on wednesday but I am a little worried as I have sent the seller meesages and paid for it but have not heard back. What do you think about phase I?