Triton, flow rates, and surface skimming

foxt · Jul 2, 2016

I am struggling with a planned tank build and the design of the overflow box. My plan is for a 230g tank 72"L x 30"W x 25"H. I plan to try Triton, so I need 10x the flow of the system volume (let's just call that 2500- 2800gph). The ideal overflow design would be a c2c, but my builder will only go as long as 24" for an external glass overflow box. So, my dilemma is: find a builder (I am picky) that will build a c2c, or settle for 24" - I need some help from experienced reefers on this one.

I know that a 24" surface skimmer (after teeth, it will be more like 14" effective weir length) will draw about 1" of water over the weir at that target flow rate. The much longer 36" effective weir length gets the height of the water under 0.5".

What I am wondering is if I am turning the entire volume of the tank around every 6 mins, do I really need to obsess over surface skimming effectiveness? Won't such a high turnover help keep surface scum from forming in the first place?

And then there is this: peninsula tanks of similar dimensions often only have an overflow on the short side of the tank, giving them the same length I would have. It it is ok for them, it should be ok for me, right?

Reefing Madness · Jul 4, 2016

Jonty · Jul 4, 2016

"so I need 10x the flow of the system volume (let's just call that 2500- 2800gph)" why? seems like a ton of flow through the sump?

foxt · Jul 4, 2016

Jonty said:
"so I need 10x the flow of the system volume (let's just call that 2500- 2800gph)" why? seems like a ton of flow through the sump?

Tritn method calls for high turnover rate ...

Jonty · Jul 5, 2016

Can you provide a link I would be interested in reading about it I was not able to find anything?

Jonty · Jul 5, 2016

Just found a link, interesting.

BetURWrasse · Jul 5, 2016

Well two things,
1) I don't think the single 24" will be that big of an issue

2) Why not just have the builder drill the holes and you add 2 Ghost overflows from Reef Savvy or from one of the other companies that makes them

foxt · Jul 5, 2016

Rsaalman said:
Well two things,
1) I don't think the single 24" will be that big of an issue

2) Why not just have the builder drill the holes and you add 2 Ghost overflows from Reef Savvy or from one of the other companies that makes them

Although the ghost overflow is an improvement over bulkier versions of internal boxes, it is still an internal box and I'd rather avoid that if there isn't going to be a significant difference compared to a 24" notched design. In addition, two external overflow boxes will need two sets of bean drains, and I am planning a basement sump and would like to avoid running 6 lines to the basement instead of 3.

lennyd19 · Sep 3, 2016

Foxt what did you end up doing with this?

foxt · Sep 4, 2016

lennyd19 said:
Foxt what did you end up doing with this?

I ordered the tank with the single 24" overflow. I do not have the tank yet, so I can't comment on effectiveness. I do however have a 55g with a corner overflow through which I am pushing about 10x turnover, and although the height of the water over the weir is about 1", I am not having any issues with surface skimming - the corner overflow is pulling stuff off of the surface effectively, even though it is also pulling stuff suspended in the water column over the weir as well.

lennyd19 · Sep 5, 2016

I personally think it will be fine. When do you expect delivery and who is building the tank?

foxt · Sep 5, 2016

Coast to Coast is building the tank, and I should be picking it up this week ... I will still be assembling the various parts of the system for a few weeks so it will be a while before I can check on the performance of the skimmer.