Plumbing Question

DanaBurns · 08-31-2007, 06:59 AM

I picked up an AllGlass MegaFlow sump fileter.. a Model 4. I am looking at one of the AquaMedics Protien skimmers a T1000 as well as a small 9watt coralife UV unit.
How should I set this up?
Should I place the skimmer right in the sump? or run it out and then back in?

Can I run the UV inline from the protien skimmer or just before/after the external return pump? The returnm does 850gph.

I am thinking the best thing to do is leave as much water in the sump as possible and predrill the unit.. 1 hole to the return pump and out to the tank, one in and one out for the UV unit and get it it's own little powerhead for cheap $ and do the same for the Protien skimmer (it comes with a submersable pump as well).

So basicall have a main return pump, drilled into the sump
and placing the UV and skimmer on their own pumps going in and out of the side of the sump.

Any Comments?

Jason McKenzie · 08-31-2007, 07:31 AM

I wouldn't drill you sump for the UV and the Skimmer. These are things you may change over time. Like stop using the UV. and Upgrading your skimmer.
The Skimmer can likely sit right in the sump and the UV has a mounting bracket to mount over the edge of the tank (but if it where me I'd skip the UV)

DanaBurns · 08-31-2007, 07:45 AM

The skimmer will fir right in the sump. However the sump has a nice lid to help keep things nice and quiet. Since there's room on the outside I was thinkning of simply placnig everything outside of the sum and keep in to a little more neater.

WHy would you skip the UV unit? I heard they are good for killing the nasties (bacterias) etc. Stuiff that can disease your fish or cause alge outbreaks.

You saying I don't need one? Or I should only use it when needed anmd have it off the rest of the time.

Jason McKenzie · 08-31-2007, 08:20 AM

UV units are one of those debatable items. Because they do kill the nasties but they also kill desirable things. Bacterias are both good and bad.
I did run a UV for awhile it was a set and forget type item. During one of my maintenance moment I took the UV apart and realized it was no longer working. I don't know when it failed but never noticed any different in my tank.

All the noise that come from the sump is typically in the skimmer and the pumps. having them on the outside will not keep it quite.
I would also not put a lid on anything tank or sump. it is needed for gas exchange and keeping the tank cool through evaporation.

Many people will use external pumps so that the heat form the pump is not transfered to the water. I use an external return pump for this reason.

I'm not saying you plan is flawed but I'm worried if you drill all the holes you have mentioned in your sump, in a few months you will be plugging them up.

Other will chime in and likely give you great alternatives

J

DanaBurns · 08-31-2007, 09:00 AM

Hmm.. I've heard that too about the UV units. My worry is that UI get somethign that will kill the fish. I've also heard people have used then to get red alge outbreaks under control. Maybe I will get one later on if I need.

As for the lid. The unit comes with one over the sump part. I figured I might as well keep it covered to slow down the water loss and muffle the noise. However I did not know about the gas exchange.

I wanted the external pump for the heat issues as well. The one I picked out is apparently one the quietest ones on the market. A friend uses one and you can barely hear it.

The Skimmer can go right in the sump if I want to get the applicable pump that can be ordered with it. However I don't know if I want to be placing things right in the sump.. and I sure don't want tubing going up and over the edge.. I can just picture in my head coming home to a hose on the floor and water all over the place.

I was mainly curious about how I should connect all the devices.. what order and such..

Thanks for the info.