• Need help with system planning.

  • Sharon

I actually have a niche where I plan to place an aquarium measuring 600d*400h*450w, with a water level about 3 cm below the top edge. Below the niche, there is another compartment about 40 cm high, where I plan to install a sump (60*30*30), so the total height will be 90 cm. My question is what diameter pipes to use, the size of the shaft, and what power return pump to install? I haven't decided on the sump setup yet (I was thinking of 4 compartments: 1-drain + sock, 2-skimmer, 3-return, 4-top-off). I don't plan to have a refugium; I don't want it to light up from the cabinet at night, as there are enough caulerpa and display plants, which I throw out every two weeks.

Adam4310

Good afternoon, the drain is 25, the return is 20mm, the minimum shaft is about 8*13mm. The return is set at 1800 l/h, but the lift height is 150 and it's throttled by about 10%, so 1200 was insufficient; it all depends on the quality of the pump... The sump is classic - 3 compartments, you can top up in another container. The skimmer goes in the drain compartment. I would keep the cooler in the sump, not in the display.