newbie / confusion over plumbing, tank to sump/refuge

[Jeff]

I'm really anxious to "dive" into this fascinating hobby, but trying
to research as much as I can...

just bought a used 50gal tank, it came w/ a fluval 303, & a couple sml
heaters, a stand, some tubing, & a few water test items.... I just
put the large tank on my deck & filled w/ water for a test, but didn't
try out the fluval (mostly since it's filthy, actually just took the
"baskets" apart today, & cleaned them up)

my intent is to get a ? 20 +/- gal tank for beneath (additional water
for the system/refuge/sump), but not sure exactly how the plumbing
should work...

will the fluval work? does is sit outside the small tank, w/ tubing
from small tank, & return up to large tank? or do I need other
pumping equipment?

any suggestions on where to find some specific info on this matter?

(I don't intend on getting any critters until I know more, & am
ready:) & I do know I need more (lights, especially!)

I appreciate any suggestions!

Thanks in advance!
Jeff

[Billy]

"Jeff" > wrote in message
...
> I'm really anxious to "dive" into this fascinating hobby, but
> trying
> to research as much as I can...
>


In short, if you're looking to use a sump, (excellent plan) the
Fluval won't turn the trick.

Read here:
http://www.melevsreef.com/what_sump.html

Welcome to the obsession!!!!! It sounds like you're doing things
exactly right, as in researching first, and buying critters after.
Best of luck, and keep posting whenever you have questions or
something to add!

billy

[George Patterson]

Jeff wrote:
>
> will the fluval work? does is sit outside the small tank, w/ tubing
> from small tank, & return up to large tank? or do I need other
> pumping equipment?

The Fluval is intended to removed suspended particulate matter and circulate
water. When the lower container is filled with ceramic tubes or bioballs, it's
intended to also provide some bacterial action. When used this way, it will
handle some of the conversion of ammonia to nitrites and nitrites to nitrates,
but will not remove nitrates. Some posters here refer to one of these as a
"nitrate factory."

The 303 is the correct size for this tank when set up as a FO or FOWLR tank.
Typical setup is to fill the upper container with floss, the center container
with your favorite imitation of activated carbon, and the lower container with
ceramic tubes or some other chemical media (if you don't want the bacterial
action). You can also leave some chambers empty if you like.

The filter should be placed below the tank. The inlet operates from a syphon
which you hang over the wall of the tank. The discharge connects to a tube that
runs back up to the tank and dumps water back in. IMO, both the syphon and the
discharge should go on the same tank. Definitely, you are asking for trouble if
you set the discharge up on a tank which is lower than the inlet line.
Personally, I think there would be no problems using it to pump water from a
lower tank to a higher, as long as the lower tank is high enough to allow the
syphon to work.

The latest units have a quick disconnect mount on top of the filter that lets
you disconnect both hoses at the same time. If you have an older model, you
should install disconnects on both the inlet and outlet hoses to allow you to
unhook the filter for cleaning.

The floss should be changed about every 3 months. I also change other media at
this time, even if it could last longer, just because it's a pain to get mine
out from under the tank. If the filter has been empty for any reason, when you
start it up, make sure the discharge tube is empty (drain it), open the valves
to allow water to come in from the syphon, and turn the power on as soon as it
fills. Sometimes you get an air lock in the impeller chamber if the discharge
tube is full when you plug it in.

George Patterson
There's plenty of room for all of God's creatures. Right next to the
mashed potatoes.

[CheezWiz]

My canned newbie response:

I would highly recommend reading:
Natural Reef Aquariums: Simplified Approaches to Creating Living Sal****er
Microcosms
by John Tullock


This is the first book I loan to anyone thinking of a reef tank.



CW


"Jeff" > wrote in message
...
> I'm really anxious to "dive" into this fascinating hobby, but trying
> to research as much as I can...
>
> just bought a used 50gal tank, it came w/ a fluval 303, & a couple sml
> heaters, a stand, some tubing, & a few water test items.... I just
> put the large tank on my deck & filled w/ water for a test, but didn't
> try out the fluval (mostly since it's filthy, actually just took the
> "baskets" apart today, & cleaned them up)
>
> my intent is to get a ? 20 +/- gal tank for beneath (additional water
> for the system/refuge/sump), but not sure exactly how the plumbing
> should work...
>
> will the fluval work? does is sit outside the small tank, w/ tubing
> from small tank, & return up to large tank? or do I need other
> pumping equipment?
>
> any suggestions on where to find some specific info on this matter?
>
> (I don't intend on getting any critters until I know more, & am
> ready:) & I do know I need more (lights, especially!)
>
> I appreciate any suggestions!
>
> Thanks in advance!
> Jeff