Tanks plumbed together

I may be not completely understanding the set up, but it looks a little complicated to me and the overflow concerns me.

Where is the main pump going back to the display tank?

I currently have four tanks plumbed together to make up my total "sump" and all but the main sump are set up in "pump and drain" configurations whereby I have a pump in the sump (or feed off the main) pumping some water up into the ancillary tank which then drains back into the sump. This is a fool proof method that ensures you don't get a flood that empties your main sump.

 

The pump back to the main tank is in the middle chamber of the back of the BC. Once in the main tank, there's an overflow back to the BC. I think that's basically the way nearly everyone sets up 2 tanks when one is lower than the other.

It's likely looking complicated because I'm using 2 AIO tanks to get this done. These diagrams are of the "backsumps" of these tanks, not in the display portions.

 

+1 on not running the return through your carbon and GFO reactors... these are places for potential build up and thus slow down of your return. Also, the pump pushing water through all that media is going to slow the flow down as well... If you're doing this as a pod factory, you will be filtering out pods, which won't do you any good (and you mentioned in your first post that you would like this added bonus).

Also, as a softie tank, if your concerns are allelopathy affecting your other corals, this will still be a concern either way, unless you think that the carbon you are running between the tanks is going to pull all of the biochemicals out effectively, and I wouldn't rely on just that.

 

Well, I actually was considering the carbon between the tanks for just that reason. I was under the impression that carbon pulls out the chemicals put out by soft corals. I've even heard of making sure the softies are upstream from sensitive corals, and running carbon in the sump, to prevent the chemicals from affecting those sensitive corals. Is that not quite accurate?

 

bump

 

bump...?

 

...Does anyone have some info on the effectiveness of carbon as it relates to chemicals put in to the water by soft corals?

 

The carbon (assuming you're using a good brand in a reactor) will do a very good job at removing alleopathic compounds. Don't run it in between the tanks. I think you're trying to save on one powerhead but it's not a good idea. Allow the filtered water to return back to your second tank and then have your return pump send it to the main display.

 

Well, it was with the intention of screening out the compounds before they make it to the DT.

Since that's not the plan anymore, would it be a good idea to have the outlet for the return pump at least near the inlet for the reactor pump, or run a bag of carbon in front of the return pump in the BC?

 

I did something very similar. http://www.3reef.com/forums/i-made/step-step-pics-my-diy-fuge-57933.html. Mine is pumped from the sump and just gravity feeds back. It has been running a year and a half with no issues. If you gravity feed it (If possible) You will not have to worry about matching the flow rates. Otherwise, it will be difficult, if not impossible to sustain, with all the variables. I.E. Algae clogging a return etc. Hope this helps.