85g shallow & deep FRAG tank to display tank

[hobogato]

no, the 20 gallon would have to be high enough so it could drain into the sump over the top edge.

please excuse the cruddy paint drawing

[RayAllen]

I was picturing it a bit different than the pic above. With that setup you would have issues with bubbles from the skimmer entering your tank via return.

[RayAllen]

Ace, that exactly what I was thinking in my above post. Love the pic- haha

[Sherita]

I think I see the problem.

Rob, the skimmer would drain into the same tank it sits in, not into the other tank. It wouldn't be able to pump itself' dry.

I gotta go to work, if the discussion is still going I'll draw a pic tonite. But I bet Ace beats me to it.

[Sherita]

I was picturing it a bit different than the pic above. With that setup you would have issues with bubbles from the skimmer entering your tank via return.

That's because I didn't draw in a baffle. My art skills are not legendary, for a very good reason

[hobogato]

yes, like sherita said, the skimmer would have to drain back into the 20 gallon.

[Mr Cob]

I was picturing it a bit different than the pic above. With that setup you would have issues with bubbles from the skimmer entering your tank via return.

not if I have the 20g dumping to the sump before the baffles.

Man, thanks for the pics...so much easier. I'm not much of a DIY reefer...maybe in my own amateur way but not at this level.

[Sherita]

Bahahaha!

I LOVE that picture.

*giggle* *snort*

no, the 20 gallon would have to be high enough so it could drain into the sump over the top edge.

please excuse the cruddy paint drawing

[Mr Cob]

ok, I think I like Ace's plan...because I would not have to drill the current sump. I have room for a 9" tall stand and the skimmer sitting in the 20g is 28" tall. That leaves me with a few inches to get the collection cup off the skimmer if needed.

So, Ace...with your plan all I need is a stand for the 20g long, drop one drain line from the main display tank to the 20g, skimmer drains to the 20g (in it's own container), and plumbing to drain the 20g tank to the sump, drill one hole in the 20g on the side up high and drain to a section in the sump that is before the sump's baffles.

Correct?

[ErikH]

Rob,
I hate the sump area, there doesn't seem to be any immediate risk of electrical fires. Please place all of your ballasts, and any power strips that you have on the floor of your stand, and then do as you had stated earlier. Put the outlet for the skimmer from one tank to the other and 2turn off your return pumps. Once your tank has overflowed and your electronics are all wet, set up a video camera, start recording, and grab as many power strips as you possibly can. Once you are out of the hospital, promptly upload the video to youtube and share the link below in this thread.

In all seriousness, it looks like you could eat off the inside of your stand. Also, I didn't make a PB&J, however I managed to escape work for long enough to get some Whataburger! Great job all the way around.