Roswell? Carlsbad? Artesia?

[consuelo]

I am really getting frustrated!! I have all the pieces, but I flat cannot find a good diagram of how to put assorted pieces together. Hubby is great at plumbing (he has plumbed entire houses), but it will take him a week or two (that he doesn't have) to read about each and every component- a full diagram of DIY plumbing is a needle in the haystack compared to finding diagrams and discussions of individual components: sump design, pumps, skimmers etc. I know someone named Michael indicated he was from Carlsbad. Is there anyone locally that would be willing to let hubby visit him, look at his system, and talk a little bit about what is important to do and not do? He asked if there was a good set up at a pet store...and it was uuhhh, sweetie, I bought it!! Please PM me, and I will give contact info. If not, I guess we drive to 'paso just to look. RatSh!t BatSh!t!!

[killingseed]

well i am sure some of can walk you though what you can do. pictures help a lot too. at most you can email me pictures and i can post them.

take it one part at a time. detail on the items you have are helpfull.

[consuelo]

Euro-Reef RS250 Skimmer w/pump
Dolphin 3200/2700 Amp Master External Pump

Outer orbit 48" 150W HQI 4x54W
These came with the tank?
Eshopps ADV100 Refugium w Sump 75-125 Gal; 24x 14 x 16
Pump with skimmer is Rio 2500
Eshopps WD75CS Wet/Dry, Single Intake, 10-75Gal; 18 x 10 x 16

All Glass Aquarium 90 Black Tank 48x16x24

so, skimmer is too big for sump, hubby thinks sump is too small for tank......I can get a 40 gallon long, which is what I think I will do, it will look prettier anyway...long sigh...anyone got valium?

[killingseed]

is the tank reef ready or asre you using over flows?

[killingseed]

that is a big pump!

1.5" 2700gph @ 3.0' 3400gph

[killingseed]

some basic on sump , quick read.

http://www.melevsreef.com/what_sump.html

[Sk8r]

You can set a skimmer exterior to sump, even if it wasn't designed to be, by setting eggcrate on the top [lighting grid] and setting the skimmer on that, then piping [hose] to and from tank. Saves space below, but requires headroom.

[consuelo]

some photos are up, i think. Hubby went home, my mission this week is to get a sump/refugium...my options are a free 40 gallon long tank (I have a 48" light that came with the hood for it..) or order an acrylic one on line..I like the idea of the 40 gallon...

[killingseed]

yes you could use that 40 gl. you can even section off the 40 for return , refug, and skimmer section.


nice RR tanks.

[consuelo]

well, I left a message for Sam at his shop, hopefully he can hook me up (no pun intended) with a cool sump, and a site visit at the same time. Will have to drive all that way, and can't buy anything cool!!! GGGRRRRR

[killingseed]

just a thought you casn have put the the skimmer in a rubber made container just above the sump and have it drain water back in the sump or somthing along the line. as for some of the plumbing benjabba pictures should help you some some.

[consuelo]

I have a dream...I mean a plan. Gonna have hubby hook it up just like it was in the store, but with valves below the tank, then when I get the sump etc. I can just change it out, but at least I can get it up and running to start cycling .......does this sound like a good plan??

[scoutmaniak]

Hey there, I know this is gonna sound wierd but u dont have to use a sump. I have both my tanks sumpless for now, and they seem to be doing good. Ive ran into alot of hard luck with my current 100g, (ick, and velvet mainly) so im gonna shut it down. Plus im looking to move next year so I dont need 3 aquaruims, lol. On my nano, I turned the hang on power filter into a refug, and use that with the live rock as the only filter. Wish I could help more, but there is alot of good info on this site to read through.

Michael