Adding Panel in Sump for Refugium - Best ways to tin Glass?

[Danshoe42]

New to reefing and currently curing dry Fuji rock while planning the tank out. I want to add a glass panel that will separate the protein skimmer area and an area for a refugium. I am not sure where to go for smoked glass or if that isn't an option if there is a reef/fish safe way of darkening that panel so light doesn't go from the fuge to the skimmer and filter socks area. I am not sure if something like plastidip would be safe or a certain type of paint...or if either could hold up against saltwater and not cause an issue.

Also any suggestions on how I should setup the wall height? The water level in the sump is 9.4" at the back panel the goes into the bubble wall/foam pad. I was thinking maybe to stagger the wall on the panel before the fuge at 9 3/4" and then have a five inch section at around 8" for the water to spill over.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Sk8r]

I'm curious as to your reason for going to so much trouble. You could just install a plexi panel instead of glass, but the reason (pardon pun) baffles me.

 

[SFish]

I would get rid of the foam pad also you don't need the glass to be dark just pick up regular glass if the sump is glass. As far as height just make sure you have enough room for the water to go into the sump if you lose power. You can set the first wall by the amount of water the skimmer need to sit in. You can also make the wall higher and raise the skimmer up.

 

[Danshoe42]

I'm curious as to your reason for going to so much trouble. You could just install a plexi panel instead of glass, but the reason (pardon pun) baffles me.

Wouldn't it be a good idea to have a divider between the protein skimmer and the fuge area? That is why I am considering adding the panel.

 

[Danshoe42]

Here is a layout of the sump. This isn't mine it is pics other someone else's.

 

[Danshoe42]

Here is what I am trying to do. Thanks again!

 

[davehead86]

Its not the adding the panel that has people confused. You specifically asked about smoked glass. There is no reason why you need smoked glass. Just get a glass panel silicone it in there. DONE.

 

[SFish]

Here is what I am trying to do. Thanks again!

That's just one of many designs it will work but there are simpler designs. It's all in what you want.

 

[SFish]

If you don't have anything done yet the simplest design would be like this (filter socks next to the skimmer and the return on the end/right)

 

[SFish]

its not the adding the panel that has people confused. You specifically asked about smoked glass. There is no reason why you need smoked glass. Just get a glass panel silicone it in there. Done.

+1

 

[SFish]

A lot of people also like this type of design with the return in the middle

 

[Danshoe42]

Its not the adding the panel that has people confused. You specifically asked about smoked glass. There is no reason why you need smoked glass. Just get a glass panel silicone it in there. DONE.

Got it. I was thinking the smoked or darkened glass would cut down on light coming from the refugium.

How tall should I make the first panel after the skimmer? Water height in the sump will be 9 1/2".

Thanks again all!

 

[davehead86]

Your water height is determined by your skimmer. It should tell you optimal water height. If it's not where you want the sump filled to you can add a small stand under the skimmer to raise it up. Don't worry about light coming from the fuge. It's irrelevant.


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[SFish]

You can make the first chamber deeper then what the skimmer is supposed to sit at you just have to raise the skimmer to that height. You just need to make sure that you can fit the water from the over flow into the sump if the power goes out. I would figure that out and then pick a height and make all the panels the same height.