Need Help With New Setup

J

jim1mckenna

New member
I just got a 120 gal with 2 overflows each overflow has 2 holes one smaller then the other, I was wondering what is the best way to plum it I would amagin One hole is for the return and One for the drain. Also How hard would it be to have 2 sumps one off each overflow?
 
The larger one is the drain and the smaller one is the return. Just have two drains going into one sump, much easier, costs less, and saves room. Let me know if you need help as I am close by. Good to have another south-sider on this forum.
 
Welcome to ChicagoReefs - Ask any and all questions as we have a large group of dedicated reefers that are always willing to lend a hand.

Yup, most larger set ups have 2 large drains to accommodate the flow/gravity and to make sure that if one gets blocked there it doesn't stop the entire system. On my 120g I drilled installed a GlassHoles.com Overflow box that has two 1.5" drains and accommodates 1500gph of flow.

Its much simplier to run both drains to the same chamber (typically skimmer section) of your sump. All my plumbing is Hard PVC (some prefer flex-hose). I also have two 3/4" returns fed by one pump (teed) which is working great.
 
They also make single sumps that have either bio ball chambers on each side or like my set up marineland tide pool has trays each side with a big bio wheel under the trays but they work same way sll water meets in middle snd only need one pump for return. Depends how u want to go. Some people do refugiums in sump i do my fuge external just in case i have to disturb fuge i can shut down fuge without shutting down system. Kinda depends on every ones prefrence and situation. Space, funds, purpose, needs, wants etc.
 
So I'm guessing you dont have a sump yet then? Pics of what you do have, to help us help you out a little better?
 
Def make sure it goes to one sump and what everyone said above is correct, the larger whole is the intake, the smaller is the output back to tank.

However, if you wnated more flow/turnover, you do what I did and use all 4 holes as intake (to the sump) and then build an output from a external pump back to the tank.
 
My current sump that I will use on the new tank is a 30 gal diy first chamber sock with skimmer, second refuge witch I am thinking about getting rid of because I think it is a mess, and using that chamber for a settling area. then the third is return.
Hey Jon nice to meet you I just read your 265 build nice tank. Maybe one day I will take you up on that and get some insight from you.

So do most people use the smaller hole for return or plug it and bring the return separate?

I am thinking about making a second sump for either rufuge or closed loop.
 
You cannot run two sumps unless they are connected to each other. Otherwise you will end up with a flood or one sump going dry.
 
goat585 said:
You cannot run two sumps unless they are connected to each other. Otherwise you will end up with a flood or one sump going dry.
Click to expand...

+1 no two pumps are identical and their difference will guarantee a flood. I do have two sumps under my DT but the drain is split so a small line feeds into my fuge which is acrylic and slightly higher than my glass 10g skimmer/return sump. The water that goes through the fuge flows out of a bulkhead I drilled for and through an elbow into the skimmer section of the 10g. It's nice because I can shut either down for maintainence and even pull one of the sumps out for cleaning.
 
jim1mckenna said:
Nate not sure if that makes sense you say +1 on the no two sumps but you have 2 so I guess it is possible ????
Click to expand...

just reread that and it was confusing. I meant you can't have two returns. You can waterfall as many sumps as you want, but only one can have a pump back to the DT. I hope that makes more sense.
 
So I would have one overflow to 1st sump and the other to the 2nd, and maybe pump from 2nd one to the 1st sump and then back to tank?

Or some how connect them maybe drill holes with bulkhead and pvc from one to the other

View attachment 12869


I just found this I kinda like the setup.
 
jim1mckenna said:
So I would have one overflow to 1st sump and the other to the 2nd, and maybe pump from 2nd one to the 1st sump and then back to tank?

Or some how connect them maybe drill holes with bulkhead and pvc from one to the other

View attachment 12869


I just found this I kinda like the setup.
Click to expand...

This illustration is showing an external skimmer which can sit on the floor and has water running through it in a closed loop so it avoids the problem of two returns (the section on the right is not full of water)
But usint the same basic idea, take the right drain line and run it into the sump on the right. then have that sump overflow through a bulkhead into the return section. The other option is simply drilling both sumps and connecting them with bulkheads.

jim1mckenna said:
This is how my current setup is but I made it myself with 30gal I have 1 sock and my skimmer is in there
View attachment 12870
Click to expand...

if you made that then you probably aren't getting any good advice from me. . . (but you could just make another one just like it and have it plumbed in next to that one)

gonebad395 said:
Why 2 sumps there is no reason for it and in the long run you will have problems.
Click to expand...

In my stand I could not fit a single sump that was as big as I wanted. By using two I can pull them separately and have twice the volume. As long as the system runs downhill to a single return it should be any worse than a single sump (maybe even better). The ONLY issue I have with two sumps in my stand is a little salt creep that goes in between them, but that's only because I'[ve been too lazy to extend my drain tube further into the skimmer section.
 
I would not run two sumps. More can go wrong in this scenario, not to mention you will need two pumps to manage the return.
 
Herbie said:
This illustration is showing an external skimmer which can sit on the floor and has water running through it in a closed loop so it avoids the problem of two returns (the section on the right is not full of water)
But usint the same basic idea, take the right drain line and run it into the sump on the right. then have that sump overflow through a bulkhead into the return section. The other option is simply drilling both sumps and connecting them with bulkheads.






if you made that then you probably aren't getting any good advice from me. . . (but you could just make another one just like it and have it plumbed in next to that one)



In my stand I could not fit a single sump that was as big as I wanted. By using two I can pull them separately and have twice the volume. As long as the system runs downhill to a single return it should be any worse than a single sump (maybe even better). The ONLY issue I have with two sumps in my stand is a little salt creep that goes in between them, but that's only because I'[ve been too lazy to extend my drain tube further into the skimmer section.
Click to expand...

I was able to fit that single 46g sump under my 120 that had a fug built in. I ran an external skimmer though. If you think more turnover is good...that is the wrong idea for flow. One return pump is more than enough for a 120. Also try to have your skimmer pull out water from the overflow section of your sump. Not only will your filter socks collect the surface skim but the skimmer will too.
 
I would reccomend 2 smaller return pumps rather then one large one. You never know when one will break, this way you can maintain flow through the sump.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top