55g sump/fuge...help me build one

[lotsoftats]

can someone tell me how to build one...as far as baffle placement and measurements?

I would also like your opinion on wether it should be flow thru or the return in the middle.

mike

 

[NeveSSL]

Hey man! How are those corals doing I traded you? Never heard back from ya.

As far as sump stuff goes, its going to depend on what you want to do!

Personally, I wanted the largest refugium I could get, so I made sure I had enough room for my skimmer in the skimmer section, made sure there was just enough room for my return pump in the return section, and dedicated the rest to my refugium. Having said that, I only had a 20g tall to work with, so space was TIGHT. You will have tons more room with the 55g.

I did a middle return just because it allowed me to have a bigger and deeper refugium on one side with my skimmer section on the other. I think a complete flow through may be a bit better for the chaeto, but I also don't think its a huge deal.

Just my opinions and experience, though.

Brandon

 

[lotsoftats]

hey brandon the frags are good I lost the sps but it was no big deal has I am having nitrate problems...the biggesst reason I am adding more water volume with the 55...I done so many water changes I could have bought all the stuff to make the fuge by now...lol I have a design I cam up with and I will post it up to get some opinions on it to see if it will work or not.....be back later......mike

 

[lotsoftats]

Ok guys here is the first attemp to make a fuge design what do you think?

the first section(skimmer Euro Reef cs8-1) is 16x12and the first baffle is 12" the next baffle is 12" and 1 1/2 off the bottom of the tankand the third baffle is 12".there is 1 1/2 between each baffle the fourth baffle is 14" high the fuge area is 22" from the end of the tank

I have decided to make both bulkheads drains. the skimmer drain is 1" and the fuge drain is 3'4" I will install ball valves for flow control.

the return area is 6" wide and will be drilled with a 3/4 inch bulkhead for the external pump that will sit behind the 55g tank.

so what do you guys think?

comments or improvments are welcomed.

 

[NeveSSL]

Are you putting your skimmer down there, too?

I like all the color in the refugium.

Brandon

 

[lotsoftats]

yeah I like the colors too...wish my rocks were that color...yes the skimmer goes i the first section I will have to build a pvc stand for it to sit on...Euro reef says 8" of water but I have read that 6 inches is better....IDK.