180 gallon filtration setup

[jvc66]

So I am in the process of getting ready to move to a new house and decided that I am going to upgrade to a 180 gallon acrylic tank for the ease of moving again in the next few years. I will be building my own stand to support the tank. I am now In the process of planning on how the filtration will work.

I am new to sumps but familiar with the process. After doing some research I found the sump idea I would like to follow in an old thread.

https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/the-sump-library-share-your-design-set-up.551103/

I would like to follow jc1119s method of using an over flow box like the Synergy Reef overflow with bean animal siphon system that is piped down to the sump and into a filter sock. Then thru the media that is laying on top of the tetra pond box and then into the pump to be returned back into the tank.

Couple of questions. Would a 40 gallon be a good size for a sump? What size pump to be sized for a return since the 20" overflow is rated at 2500gph. Where should the ball valves go?

And lastly I had the idea for easy water changes to drill a hole in the back of the tank and put a strainer on it. Then pipe it underneath the tank to have some sort of hook up where I can connect a hose to it and open the valve to allow water to begin to drain?

ideas and pictures are greatly appreciated!

 

[jaws7777]

https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/300-gallon-sa-ce-community-build-thread.423425/
This is jc's build thread. He went with herbie drains. Not sure if this helps or confuses matter more.

 

[monkeybike]

I run a 40 gal sump on my 180 if that helps at all. Bigger could be better to gain more volume. I run a continuous drip setup so max volume wasn't really important for me.

 

[jvc66]

https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/300-gallon-sa-ce-community-build-thread.423425/
This is jc's build thread. He went with herbie drains. Not sure if this helps or confuses matter more.

Im going over the build again. I think that the pipe sizes confuse me a little as well as the check offs on how to pipe them

 

[jvc66]

I run a 40 gal sump on my 180 if that helps at all. Bigger could be better to gain more volume. I run a continuous drip setup so max volume wasn't really important for me.

Im thinking using a 40 as well too

 

[jaws7777]

Im going over the build again. I think that the pipe sizes confuse me a little as well as the check offs on how to pipe them

Its a great thread. But post your questions here instead of pm . Any answers that i give you would all be based on theory since none of my current sumps are siphon fed and i havent started the new sump build just planning and waiting and planing and waiting...and did i mention waiting lol so it would be better for you to have responses from more experienced members, and have any answers i give you that may be incorrect --- corrected by them.

Heres some links that a buddy sent me that you may enjoy.

http://gmacreef.com/herbie-overflow-reef-tank-plumbing-method-basics/

http://gmacreef.com/herbie-dual-overflows/

Also besides jc1119 thread ragin cajuns was invaluable

https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/rc-540-gallon-ca-community-build.595725/

Some of the pipe/gph questions you had: i used these numbers to decide what pump/gph i wanted to go with. Start with the Edrain and plan from their. So if your Edrain is 1.5 inches then size your pump to push around the 1400 gph area.

 

[jvc66]

Its a great thread. But post your questions here instead of pm . Any answers that i give you would all be based on theory since none of my current sumps are siphon fed and i havent started the new sump build just planning and waiting and planing and waiting...and did i mention waiting lol so it would be better for you to have responses from more experienced members, and have any answers i give you that may be incorrect --- corrected by them.

Heres some links that a buddy sent me that you may enjoy.

http://gmacreef.com/herbie-overflow-reef-tank-plumbing-method-basics/

http://gmacreef.com/herbie-dual-overflows/

Also besides jc1119 thread ragin cajuns was invaluable

https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/rc-540-gallon-ca-community-build.595725/

Some of the pipe/gph questions you had: i used these numbers to decide what pump/gph i wanted to go with. Start with the Edrain and plan from their. So if your Edrain is 1.5 inches then size your pump to push around the 1400 gph area. View attachment 1229073

Wow that herbie method makes so much more sense! My only dilemma is not wanting the overflow boxes in the tank and taking up room. I guess that might be my only option if i do that method

 

[jaws7777]

Wow that herbie method makes so much more sense! My only dilemma is not wanting the overflow boxes in the tank and taking up room. I guess that might be my only option if i do that method

Om sure someone will chime in that can help you achieve this. Nothing wrong with bean animal. Infact from what ive heard its even mre reliable than herbie's only reason i posted the herbie stuff was because you said you wanted to mimic jc's build

 

[nzafi]

Loose rule of thumb for a sump is about 30% of your tank size. Personally, if I was to do a sump I would aim for a 55g or 75g. The two biggest factors for determining sump size are:
1) How much media (bio, chem, mech) you want
2) How much overflow space you need in case of a power outage.

My biggest concern with a 40g is capacity for overflow, but you can calculate that.

I do not have a sump, been planning one for ages, and recently decided I would convert my 180g to a hmf filter instead. Probably not appropriate for you seeing you do not want the filter in the tank.

 

[jvc66]

Om sure someone will chime in that can help you achieve this. Nothing wrong with bean animal. Infact from what ive heard its even mre reliable than herbie's only reason i posted the herbie stuff was because you said you wanted to mimic jc's build

The Herbie does make a lot of sense. I understand that a lot better then the bean animal at the moment. It will be a fall back for me and I will have to suck it with having overflows in the tank. Guess with a tank this size I should have two overflows and two pumps if doing a herbie? will keep doing my research