2ft set up questions

Hey all, I have a 2x1x1ft tank set up atm which is thriving, but recently i scored a 2ft x1ft x 18in for free and wanted to set that up and use the 2x1x1 for a sump. So many ideas floating around in my head, and a whole lot of questions to go along with them! Just wondering if you might be able to help me with some of them please?

Which type of overflow should I go for?
Just a regular weir or a small box in the top corner of the tank? Just wondering pros and cons of both. I am kind of leaning towards the weir full tank height one because that's what I know the best. I was thinking of putting it in the back centre, as I would like to do a scape with its tallest part in the middle sloping to each side.

How many holes should I get drilled?
My LFS does 25mm holes or holes to fit 25mm, can't remember which one I think its the second option. Anyway, I am thinking two holes. One for the majority of water drainage and the other one as a back up - better safe than sorry! My return will be by a pvc 'hook' over the side of the tank.

How many litres should I go on the return pump?
I have two powerheads/wavemakers generously given to me by Andrew (Thinking Reef) which are about 1000 l/h each. They run one at a time, so one is on the other is off then they swap after a certain amount of time. I have a 1800l/h pump which I just tested but I think that would blow the fish out of the water. I think I will probably use the 1100l/h I have. It's just a cheap powerhead, but I reckon it would do the job.

My last question for now is how should I set up the sump?
I was thinking something like skimmer, bubble trap, DSB/refugium, return. Here's a link to a pic of sump that I like the design of. Would this type of sump be suitable for my tank?

File:Rohans sump.jpg - RTAW Reefpedia

Heres a pic of my tank...not so recent but still looks pretty much the same. Thanks for looking and your help is much appreciated!

Looking good tank. Corals looks healthy!!

In my tanks i use 2 in tank build overflows one each corner something like this foto

Now about the litres of return pump i thing it must be 3 times over the vol. of your tank.

So 1100l/h would be more than enough?

Originally Posted by i_luv_fish

So 1100l/h would be more than enough?

yes i believe so.

Tank looks great!!

Hmmm, well I wouldn't say there's anything wrong with anything you suggested. I've never seen a noticeable difference between weirs and durso standpipes. Just depends on what materials you have and which one you like better.

You really only need one hole for drain and another for return. Unless you're trying to do some tricky flow in the tank, more holes than that aren't necessary. Then again, you don't actually have to have any holes, you can just hang J-tubes over the side of the tank, but I understand if you're trying to hide the plumbing.

Your sump plan sounds just like what I would do, although the one in the link doesn't look like it has a place for a skimmer.

With the sump i would prefer to put the skimmer in the first compartment where the over flow pipes are. Also what type of skimmer are you getting? Another problem with that sump is that water level is to high. Most in sump skimmer are recommending between 6 to 9 inch of water height Just something to think about

Why not use a really good hang on Skimmer ?

As for the return i would use a 2000 liter/hour sedra "you can always put a valve on it to slow it down "


Cheers

Thanks for the replies guys, I have a Tunze 9002 running in there atm. You can just see it on the right of the tank, blends in with the background!

Yeh I would put the skimmer in the first part as well. Whats the difference between DSB and refugium? I am tempted also to just have liverock down there instead. Not sure which is the best option at this stage.

Andrew, I put a 1800l/h pump in the tank last night and I think it would blow the fish out of the water! I reckon with 1100l/h and your powerheads going, the flow should be enough! Any things gotta be an improvement from my little 400l/h pump at the moment

Cheers

Here's a pic of the tank that I just took. I am going to silicone two pieces of glass long ways to create a sort of 'euro brace' as there is a little bow when the tank is filled up. Thanks again for the pumps Andrew! I can't wait to use them!

Originally Posted by i_luv_fish

Here's a pic of the tank that I just took. I am going to silicone two pieces of glass long ways to create a sort of 'euro brace' as there is a little bow when the tank is filled up. Thanks again for the pumps Andrew! I can't wait to use them!

yes a euro brace would be nice for safe !! Lots of flow with those 2 tunze

Yeh hopefully that will do the job. The skimmer is Tunze, the powerheards are Boyu

Originally Posted by kyriakos

yes a euro brace would be nice for safe !! Lots of flow with those 2 tunze

How big is your sump going to be?

I wouldn't go for DSB maybe a little refuge with rubble rock and macro.

I'm not a big fan of hang on skimmers i think they are just rubbish.

Here's a crappy paint shop sketch thing I did of what I want the rock formation to look like. I might fill it in on the sides depending how much rock I end up with.

Originally Posted by ozzie

How big is your sump going to be?

I wouldn't go for DSB maybe a little refuge with rubble rock and macro.

I'm not a big fan of hang on skimmers i think they are just rubbish.

I have some coral rubble that I could use...and my LFS sells macro algae. Can I just use an energy saver light for it? I have seen other people do that successfully.

Originally Posted by i_luv_fish

I have some coral rubble that I could use...and my LFS sells macro algae. Can I just use an energy saver light for it? I have seen other people do that successfully.

I am not sure to tell you i do not use a refugium cause nobody down here sells macro algae

lol i don't have much luck with Macro. I know Nick just uses a normal desk light and his Macro is thriving and Maybe you can get some of Andrew You wouldn't need much just a hand full

Which Tunze skimmer you use ; I used to have the Tunze nano 9002 it was working ok in my 80litr tank.