Inherited all this stuff w/tank, not sure how it goes together

[cgirl]

Okay, got a heck of a deal on this 150g tank that came with a bunch of stuff. I think I've got it put together pretty close to how it's suppose to be but would like some advice. So if you get the chance please take a look and let me know what you think. Details- 150g tank with CPR CS90 overflow, Del Rey wet/dry filter approx. 15g (being used for a sump), Blueline Aqua pump model 30 (590 gph), and an unknown brand of skimmer (lid says Amiracle but can't find this specific design any where), and an air pump that is suppose to go with skimmer but I have no idea where it hooks in at. So questions;
1. By the looks of it the protein skimmer was in the sump, but not sure how. There are two lids for sump, the one with the two intake holes (for dual overflows I think) and then another one with a bunch of holes in it. The sump only has two compartments, seperated by baffles. The baffles are opposite the ones I've seen on actual sump models though with the first opening at the bottom of the baffle seperating the compartments, then a 1-1/2" space and another shorter baffle then the small return compartment. There are also two sets of ledges in the main compartment that the lid with all the holes could possibly sit on, so which one is it? In the pictures, I've got the lid on the lower ledge and the skimmer sitting on top of it don't think this is right though. Any ideas?
2. With this type of sump setup, and the way the baffles are setup, is there no way that I can put sand, etc. in the sump?
3. It looks like the previous owner had the overflow come down and tee, one side to the intake, and one to the skimmer, entering the bottom of the skimmer, then having an outflow in the middle with the collection cup at the top. So where does the air pump fit in with the skimmer?
4. In the return portion of the sump, there are two return ports. One low one, about 1" off the bottom and then one about 4" off the bottom. There were a bunch of T-valves invovled and I think I've got it hooked to the return pump right but again, not positive. Can anyone explain why it would be setup like this?

So hopefully I haven't totally confused everyone and someone will be able to help. I'm beginning to wonder if it would have been easier to get everything seperately instead of "inheriting" it like I did.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. BTW I do realize that the overflow and sump are more than likely too small for the long run but I think they're okay for now to get me started aren't they? Toni

 

[yote]

It looks like somebody plumbed it for the skimmer to set beside the sump and maybe had the return tee'd to feed the skimmer.Hard to tell for sure.
The pump needs to be sitting on the bottom of the stand too.Its not supposed to suck the water from the sump.
Not a bad looking system.

 

[ccCapt]

Your plumbing is all wrong.
As yote said, that pump must be flat on the bottom of the stand. It will not suck the water up into it and start pumping.
The skimmer is missing a pump too. It won't work the way you are trying to feed it. It looks like it needs a needlewheel pump to get air into it. I don't see an air block inside so it doesn't seem to be an air driven skimmer.

 

[cgirl]

Okay, got the sump pump on the floor where it belongs now. Still puzzled about the skimmer. By the salt creep on the bottom of it and the valves, it was in-sump.

 

[Bifferwine]

The skimmer should have a pump to draw water into it -- if it doesn't have a pump, it's probably better for you to just buy a new skimmer, since that one looks kinda flimsy.

 

[acerhigh]

Okay, got a heck of a deal on this 150g tank that came with a bunch of stuff. I think I've got it put together pretty close to how it's suppose to be but would like some advice. So if you get the chance please take a look and let me know what you think. Details- 150g tank with CPR CS90 overflow, Del Rey wet/dry filter approx. 15g (being used for a sump), Blueline Aqua pump model 30 (590 gph), and an unknown brand of skimmer (lid says Amiracle but can't find this specific design any where), and an air pump that is suppose to go with skimmer but I have no idea where it hooks in at. So questions;
1. By the looks of it the protein skimmer was in the sump, but not sure how. There are two lids for sump, the one with the two intake holes (for dual overflows I think) and then another one with a bunch of holes in it. The sump only has two compartments, seperated by baffles. The baffles are opposite the ones I've seen on actual sump models though with the first opening at the bottom of the baffle seperating the compartments, then a 1-1/2" space and another shorter baffle then the small return compartment. There are also two sets of ledges in the main compartment that the lid with all the holes could possibly sit on, so which one is it? In the pictures, I've got the lid on the lower ledge and the skimmer sitting on top of it don't think this is right though. Any ideas?
2. With this type of sump setup, and the way the baffles are setup, is there no way that I can put sand, etc. in the sump?
3. It looks like the previous owner had the overflow come down and tee, one side to the intake, and one to the skimmer, entering the bottom of the skimmer, then having an outflow in the middle with the collection cup at the top. So where does the air pump fit in with the skimmer?
4. In the return portion of the sump, there are two return ports. One low one, about 1" off the bottom and then one about 4" off the bottom. There were a bunch of T-valves invovled and I think I've got it hooked to the return pump right but again, not positive. Can anyone explain why it would be setup like this?

So hopefully I haven't totally confused everyone and someone will be able to help. I'm beginning to wonder if it would have been easier to get everything seperately instead of "inheriting" it like I did.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. BTW I do realize that the overflow and sump are more than likely too small for the long run but I think they're okay for now to get me started aren't they? Toni

There should be a spot on the side of the skimmer to hook the air line too.... and the air stone/stones goes inside the skimmer.... I've seen some return fed skimmers similar to that one... they usually aren't the most efficient but usually better than none... If there is no way to get the air stone into the body of the skimmer, then you do need another pump, with a needle wheel or venturi to get the air into the skimmer... here is a short description of the air driven counter current skimmer: http://stason.org/TULARC/animals/aq...unter-Current-Air-Driven-Protein-Skimmer.html

I think you'd have a hard time trying to use that setup as a fuge, it would be possible but you'd probably have to modify it and add a baffle or two.

I don't understand the need for the two outlets from the sump to feed the one pump..... with all those shutoffs and tees, I would find the specs on the pump... make sure one of those outlets is enough to feed it and cap off the other.... all the extra hoses and tees are just more things that can leak.... i'd probably use the larger bulkhead and put a plug in the other...

good luck...