125g sump, need baffle ideas?

[atraperegrinus]

Well ive searched but havn't seen many 125g sumps, the tank is a 6 foot 125g tank.

I'm thinking a nice large drain area, flowing up over and into filter socks, that'll allow stuff to settle before the socks. Then proceed into a skimmer/reactor chamber, heres where i get stuck.

I would love to include 2 of the 8x8x4 marinepure blocks into their own area, separate from a fuge, to keep them clean, and possibly also do a nice large fuge on its own. also include a nice sized return area to make water changes pain free would also be a bonus.

Thinking like this:

Left edge tank > |Drain & socks | skimmer & reacts |Marinepure | return | Fuge | < right edge tank

im getting some cardboard and gonna play around tomorrow, but i was looking for general ideas since i couldn't find many 125g sumps to go off off for ideas.

I'm not exactly set on a fuge, since I would really love to do a display macro fuge at some point, but i figure with a 125g sump having extra space for a fuge under there will never hurt lol

i'd throw the fuge all the way on one end so I could t off the return and set the water flow in it to whatever i choose. Or would it be better to t off a drain so it gets nice dirty water for nutrient export?

 

[atraperegrinus]

any input? i'm gonna sit out in the garage tomorrow with some cardboard and try to lay it out, would love some ideas before i go crazy lol

 

[Daimyo68]

With a sump of that size, I would incorporate the fuge into it.

Drain|Return|Fuge

With a center return, you can T off of the return line, and supply the fuge with flow. Also use a ball valve to the fuge to set your desired flow rate through the fuge, as you mentioned.

As for baffles, your skimmer will play a part in determining baffle height. You could always go with taller baffles, and make a skimmer stand out of acrylic if needed.

Fuge baffle height: I've always made the baffle height about 2 inches below the rim of the sump.

Also keep in mind how much drain down you will have during a power outtage. You don't want a flood.

As for T off the drain lines, I'm one who never did that because imo, the detritus will build up in the fuge area over time. I've always supplied right from the return line and had my macros have always thrived

 

[tennesseebob]

I also agree with center return, on mine I tee off of the drain though, I wanted my fuge to get raw water from the tank, not post skim. But if you tee off of something you can individually control flow through it sepperate from the rest of your sump.

 

[atraperegrinus]

yeah I'm def going with center return, and at least a basic fuge. I'll likely go for high baffles and and high stand/tray for the skimmer.

thanks guys, i'm also up for any other tips or advice or opinions.

 

[Budman422]

I use a 40 long fits in a 125 stand and it gives me 4 foot of sump. I divided it in the middle to make a 20 gallon refugium. The other half holds my skimmer and return that is kept constant with an ato

 

[tennesseebob]

I'm using a Skimz sm201, my sump chamber has 11" baffles and for a stand, I just made a square of 4 pieces of eggcrate on edge and zip tied together. Made to just fit around the bottom of my skimmer base and just set my skimmer into it. Worked great, water flow under skimmer is free moving.

 

[scubadan206]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2361837
This guy built one very similar to your idea...

 

[Shawn O]

The Marine Pure blocks could always go in the return section, if there's room.

 

[atraperegrinus]

The Marine Pure blocks could always go in the return section, if there's room.

this is what i ended up with, i did a 20" fuge, with the remainder split up between return and skimmer areas. gives me lots of large open area to work in.

15" sock area, 18" skimmer and reactor area, 14-15" return, and 20" fuge, water height in skimmer section is 14"

i like the idea of the socks front to back like that, so that I can easily reach in and swap them out. though depending on if my glass guy can cut the square corner out or not will make or break the idea, i might have to look into this.

 

[Giovanni]

I use a 125g sump and do not use baffles.