More Newbie questions from isaac..o.O?..^^

[isaac]

ok... instead of a sump i might just get 1 HOB filter an Internal filter for a flow and mabe another powerhead to operate a DIY skimmer, also a heater and thermomiters...... but what do u guys think?

Unless some1 can give me an easy DIY storage container Sump, the stuff listed about looks easyer and more strait forward.

has any1 got plans for a DIY skimmer, either venturi or CC? ive seen some good 1ns but i just wanna get 1 that will work good and will be cheaper than those overpriced comercial skimmers

And could i have some good online aquarium shop links preferably Australian but if you know an international site that has good prices, that would be kick ass too.

Thanx for all ur help. Great Community

[The R/C Man]

Isaac,

I am sorry what size is your tank?

Personally I am against HOB or Canister filters for marine tanks. Other people have used them sucessfully but the preferred method is live rock and a protein skimmer. The HOB filters couldn't even keep my 10 gallon fresh water tank clean. I was using 2 that were rated at much more than required and that was with a small bioload.

Anyway, If you wanted to make an inexpensive sump you could always use a rubbermaid container. They are easy to drill for bulkheads and are available in many sizes. You just have to be sure and purchase a sturdy one so they don't bow under water pressure.....

I don't have any GOOD plans for a DIY skimmer. I must say that skimmers although expensive really are not over priced. They involve a rigorous assembly process usually done by hand.... You get what you pay for....

[Reefland]

Isaac,

Go with a sump now instead of trying to get one in later (which you will decide to do). You can go with something as simple as a 10 gallon glass aquarium with a pump for the return.

[isaac]

could someone draw me up a diagram of a rubbermaid container sump, just so i can get a good idea of where the baffles are meant to be and how big and what to make them out of.

THANX!

[The R/C Man]

Here is how my sump is set up... TOTW 05-17-05 375 Gallon Tank and Sump Plans
If you are tight on space as I am with my 25 gallon tank only using a 10 gallon for a sump, one baffle on the left for your intake area and one on the right to seperate your pump from the center section works good. The center section is a great place to grow macro algae to help reduce nutrients in the tank. You can use a simple $5 clip on light with a grow bulb for this application..... There are many ways to set it up but I prefer a straight line through the sump for simplicity.....

[isaac]

ok thanks, tomorrow ill start buying my pumps online, my tank will be 150L with a sump of about 45L or something along those lines. ill get a pump with around 2100 L/H also have a powerhead in the tank pushing about 1400 L/H and a 200W heater in the sump

I think ill buy an Air pump and another cheaper pump or powerhead to build my own CC skimmer out of. Ill have a Play around with designs untill i get it right, but how much water should the skimmer hold and how many L/H should the pump be pushing through the skimmer?