Suggestions Wanted for Setup

I just bought a 30 gal tank and want some suggestions on the proposed setup.

I'm going to make the PVC overflow like what Covey described in a DIY thread. Sump will be a 10 gal tank with skimmer, phosban reactor and return pump. Return through PVC to tank-no drilling. I plan on a couple powerheads as well. I'm probably going to get a skimmer rated at 125-150 so that I can eventually use this tank as a sump for a larger system. I'm going to shoot for about 300 gal/hr return rate. I plan on getting a RO filter. Can I just attach the RO to my faucet and fill up buckets for a water change? Do you guys think the phosban reactors are a good idea? Do I need to modify the 10 gal sump tank? Will I need a chiller for this system? Any other equipment (besides lighting) needed?

Thanks for the help. I want to get this right the first time.

 

You will only need a chiller if you live in a hot area, or are using MH lighting. You don't necessarily need a chiller if using MH, but it will depend on how hot your water gets. I am currently running a phosphate reactor. I like to do it as a precaution.

 

I agree with gutar man. Yes you can fill another container from ro. If you use a trash can put a good salt water rinse/ scrub to it first.

 

Thanks guys. LFS suggests two reactors-one with phosban and one with carbon. Is that overkill?

 

Nah. You can get a good cheap Poly Reactor that can do both. I use this one.
ViaAqua Poly-Reactor (Multi-Media Reactor)

Suggestion - use a 20 long for a sump. You run out of space in there quick.

 

I agree with above posters. 20 long is an excellent sump size, thats what I am making mine out of. I got mine at petsmart for $25 bucks, so its not really that big of a cost difference.
And you probably wont need a chiller unless you are going overkill with MH's or let your house get real hot. I run a 150W MH with 2X 54W T5's and have hot summers, but I still don't need a chiller

 

Thanks. I'll have pictures of the setup in a few weeks.

 

i beg to differ about the reactors...The ViaAqua still only has one chamber, so if you were to run 2 different types of substances (I.E. GFO and carbon) you would need 2 separate reactors to get the full life out of each substance. The GFO and carbon both have different...it's hard to explain. Kinda like lives, one lasts longer than the other.

I would recommend running 2 reactors if you want to have 2 types of media. I run mine inline with each other.