My new 6x2x2.5 'FOWLR + Fake coral' tank

[lkoivoon]

The tank has two overflow pipes. This picture shows the first pipe...... I tee-off this pipe to drive the skimmer so can safe on one additional pump.......

[lkoivoon]

I also tee-off (in fact double tee-off) the other overflow pipe to drive the RF and for water change.......again save another pump..

[lkoivoon]

Here is the hose for the water change......

[lkoivoon]

A pail used for water change... I used to siphon out one pail of water and just pour in a pail of fresh water directly into the tank then add a cup of salt - one to twice and week. I have been doing this many years for my old tank. It is simple and it works...

[Tigger]

I especially like yr idea of T-ing of yr overflow to feed yr skimmer and FR. Nice tank and super planning.

[lkoivoon]

Here is the FR... Will install tomorrow.....

[lkoivoon]

Hi to everyone that is reading me post. Just like to say that I am not here to teach (Of course who am I to teach) but to share with you my ideas (good and bad) of setting up a marine tank. Please do comment/contribute if you have any other ideas or the way you setup your tank.

Cheers...........

[lkoivoon]

I have somemore stupid ideas which I will post later when done:

1)Injection of Ozone.

2)Covering/protection of power sockets.

3)'Beautify' (at least make it not so ugly) the return pipes in the main tank.

Cheers....

[jem]

hi

erm..out of curiosity..

the modification of the collection cup's overflow leads back to the sump right?..

was just wondering..

why would u want skimmate back into your water?.

please clarify me if im wrong

[lkoivoon]

hi

erm..out of curiosity..

the modification of the collection cup's overflow leads back to the sump right?..

was just wondering..

why would u want skimmate back into your water?.

please clarify me if im wrong

If you see closely the overflow pipe inside the cup is almost at the top of the cup. It is used to drain water NOT skimmate (which should be cleared before the cup is half full) back into the sump. That is to say, it is use to prevent flooding of the cup and hence the floor if it happens.

[lkoivoon]

Furthermore, if the skimmate will to reach the level of the overflow pipe inside the cup then I still prefer to let the skimmate to flow back to the sump than to overflow the cup and wet the floor...

[southpaw23]

Furthermore, if the skimmate will to reach the level of the overflow pipe inside the cup then I still prefer to let the skimmate to flow back to the sump than to overflow the cup and wet the floor...

Err....that hardly would happen these days with waste collectors...it stops the skimmer from skimming when full...thus not causing an overflow....

[lkoivoon]

Err....that hardly would happen these days with waste collectors...it stops the skimmer from skimming when full...thus not causing an overflow....

Is that so? Looks like I am a "Mountain Tortise" with regards to skimmer....

[lkoivoon]

Is that so? Looks like I am a "Mountain Tortise" with regards to skimmer....

Hi southpaw23, can enlighten me how the waste collector stops the skimmer from skimming when full?

[lkoivoon]

Return pipe - a small piece of pipe is cut at about 45 deg.

[lkoivoon]

It is then connected to the return pipe in the tank and as you can see the outlet is parallel to the water level. And the small pipe only stick into the water about half an inch.

[lkoivoon]

So from far one can't really notice the two return pipes in the tank.

Sorry for the lousy picture. The tank is actually very bright but don't know why it turns out to be much darker in photos...

[lkoivoon]

Since the small pipe only stick into the water level about half an inch therefore there is no need to install safety non-return valve in the return pipes. Of course IMHO every new setup tank should have gone through a power failure test to ensure that the sump will not be flooded and this is mainly due to the return pipes stick too far into the water.

[lkoivoon]

FR in position...........

[lkoivoon]

Full view.........again the RF is fed by overflow.

[lkoivoon]

The RF's outlet is flown to the same glass box used for the skimmer to prevent any Rowa Phos flowing into the sump/tank.......

[lkoivoon]

Will setup this tomorrow......Silicon still not fully dry yet.

Anyone likes to guess what is it for?

[lkoivoon]

This is to cover the electrical scokets...

[lkoivoon]

Protective cover in position ......... to prevent water splashing onto the electrical sockets....

[lkoivoon]

There are 3 such holes drilled on the protective cover and it is made such that the cover can be removed easily when needed.