Basic Marine Aquarium Setup

[Kanga]

Standard setup

There are many possibilities of setting up a marine aquarium however a basic setup would consist of a display tank, with an overflow running down to a second tank, called a sump. Water then returns via a return pump to the display tank.


Display Tank

This, as the name suggests is the actual display in which the fish and the corals are housed. Flow pumps such as Seios and Tunzes will be placed in here as well.

Overflow

Water flows over this pane and creates surface skimming, water then goes down standpipes to the sump In the Overflow a Durso standpipe will quieten the gurgling noises from the water flowing down the pipe to the sump

Durso Standpipe - Durso Standpipes


Sump


The Sump is a container (generally a second tank) that will hold the unsightly equipment such as the skimmer etc It also houses the Deep Sand Bed.


The Last chamber houses the return pump and the auto top up float switch (if installed) for Topping Up with Reverse Osmosis water.

 

[Craps676]

How do you get a proper syphon break in the return?

I tried a few ways but it never worked in making a hole out of a piece of pipe...

 

[Albert Terego]

I had the the return pipe coming in at just under the water surface level. When power went off or pump stopped only a small amount of water would flow back into the sump.

So basically have some space in your sump for additional water and do not have the return pipe deep in the tank.

 

[Craps676]

Ok that's what I ended up doing. Just thought there might have been another way...

Thanks

 

[Henkie]

Just plumb a non return valve into your return lines plumbing... Works perfectly

 

[Craps676]

Do you get plastic ones? If so where do you get them?

 

[RiaanP]

Simple over the top return with siphon break.

Using a micro irrigation connector, above the water line.

No pee line, then you need to clean it. simple action, just stick a toothpick into it. The end inside is slanted, so if you turn it into the flow you get a stronger pee line, but it blocks easier.

 

[Craps676]

Aaahh thanks man. I will definitely do something like this.

 

[Trigger1]

Thanks for the tips

 

[TSB]

Just want to find whether a canister can be used instead of a sump

 

[RiaanP]

Just want to find whether a canister can be used instead of a sump

yeah, but will be more work to maintain than in a fresh water setup.

Detritus will tend t block it up easily