Ideas Sump and Stand

[allan]

Check this out for faults.

My idea is that with an eight foot tank you can use three pedestal (open through the middle) stand types to provide two viewing areas for a macro tank. Arrows show water flow, the little boxes indicate pumps.

Water flows into the first section that can house one or two items (skimmer, reactor, uv), then spills into the next section which has a dsb with a few rocks and a few mangroves growing up and out of the tank. Then the water spills into the second section where it's lifted via pump into the frag tank and from there into the next viewable macro station. This section, the middle, would be vented in the event that the frag tank pump fails rising levels will spill into the next macro station.

From the second macro station into the final sump area water is lifted up and into the DP tank.

Just a rough draft of an idle thought passing through the utterly bored mind of an overpaid Soldier who should be working on something else... but let me know what you all think, and any possible problems or suggestions.

8315

[Europhyllia]

I just love how you can turn everything into something grander and more complicated!

[allan]

Everything Karin? Surely not everything. I like to keep things very simple, I am afterall a dude, and straight forward.

[Mr Cob]

Nice purple rocks in that refugium. Love the mangrove drawings too. Guess you just plucked the leaves in the illustration? LOL!

Very cool idea Allan. It's awesome how we have so much $coral$ and $fish$ in our displays but all of us seek ways to some how display our refugiums, macro and even frags.

They do make great conversation pieces too!

[Europhyllia]

What? You really should read some of your posts! lol You are so not straight forward. (could also be a government/military thing though I guess) Shortest distance between a and b is a loop, and a swirl, ... ;)

Back on topic: looks like a very interesting set up. Does it have the potential to be realized or is it more of a theoretical thing?

[allan]

Rob,

Conversational piece and just a little bit of utilizing the beauty of the fuge. I colored the rocks purple on purpose, wasn't sure if anyone would catch that. :) and as far as the mangroves are concerned... they look exactly like mine. :)

Karin,

That all depends on the feedback we get here on the site and whether it appeals to the person that I drew this for. I think for a rough draft there should be a lot added or modified before this becomes reality.

It may be a dude thing, but the best part of these set ups is the fuge. I've always been enthralled by the unique fuges. Mike, Texreefer, had a really awesome fuge that I would love to mimic. I bet he has some images here on MAAST of his fuge.

[ErikH]

You should make a removeable piece where it is open, so you can close it all off at will. Then when people show up, you start peeling off pieces!

[Europhyllia]

That all depends on the feedback we get here on the site and whether it appeals to the person that I drew this for. I think for a rough draft there should be a lot added or modified before this becomes reality.

I think this has artsy design guy with 96" tank in the works written all over it!

[Ping]

One DSB works better than 2 smaller ones. Any water falling into the sand bed will disturb it too the point it may never settle. The return pump area may be too small and the falling water may cause micro bubbles. A longer return pump section will allow any bubbles to rise to the surface.

Why DSB's do you have or forsee nitrate issues? Or looking to display the mangroves?

[allan]

Pete,

Yeah the intent was/is for a mini mangrove "flower pot" for viewing purposes.

Wasn't sure if two dsb would be better than one, was just thinking the dual set up would provide symetry (sp) to the overall design.

As for the sand stirring I'm thinking along mitigating this rather than dismissing it. What do you think?

I forgot the other comment, hold on and let me think... I think it was Erik and a comment to provide covering that is removable. I like this as I've envisioned a similar 'bridge' to hide the lamps that will grow the presently leafless 'groves. I also see removable panels that will allow access to service other parts of the tank.

Do any of is ever decide to go down this meandering path that is marine with an expectation of a simple design. Some of the best, I'm thinking (cold one in hand), is..,, sorry, lost my train of thought and wifey is eyeballimg mr from across the table.

Shoot gotta go.

[Ping]

The sand disturbance could be mitigated by raising the water level in the fuge area, the micro bubbles could be lessened if the water level in the pump return area was raised.

I dont understand the frag shelf flow. How about one long sand bed and just put a portable shelf in the center section. The sump sides would have to be taller for overflow prevention but the overall idea of this display sump is sound. If the sump sides were taller, it may be tough to get the skimmer in and out.