blackthunda77
New member
Not sure i follow you. Yes i will be running floss in that area, but all baffles are atleast 2 inches below the top of the sump wall.
Blackthunda77's 80Gal Shallow Reef Build
- Thread starter blackthunda77
- Start date
Not sure i follow you. Yes i will be running floss in that area, but all baffles are atleast 2 inches below the top of the sump wall.
wetdiver
New member
Started designing the sump. Its similar to what i have now, drain, skimmer, fuge, return. right now i have s standard 55 gal but im thinking im going to build my own custom sump this time from acrylic. 48x24x16. Same footprint as my current tank but my rimless is way to purddy to turn into a sump. lol
Thunda
Your sump design is the same set up I got. Make sure that you think about holding down the egg crate down. The flow from the tank will push it up. I use my egg crate with a piece of 100 micro sponge that I replace once a week and is held down by a piece of acrylic in between the baffles. If I don't change the sponge once I week the pressure will push the egg create up as a fail safe.
Also, think about your skimmer water level for adjustment and for cleaning.
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blackthunda77
New member
In your system, the water travels up, through the floss. If you look at mine, the flow goes over the first baffle, down through the floss and under the second baffle into the skimmer section, so floating wont be an issue. The skimmer section i made to be atleast 10" of water. My current skimmer needs 6-8 inches i believe so i should be good.
I might be changing the layout though of the sump based on a thread i started in the large tank forums. I might be swapping the return section and the fuge. Tee'ing off the drain with drain going to the far left section (fuge) and putting a ball valve on that and then i can control the GPH flowing through the fuge, since a fuge benefits from a slower flow rate for nitrate absorption.
blackthunda77
New member
Heres a couple more renderings of the new layout i think i might go with.
blackthunda77
New member
It is recommended to have a lower flow rate traveling through the refugium, to give added contact time for the macro algae to absorb nutrients. Thats why most people advise not to run a refugium inside the sump because the sump should be high flow for proper filtration. The way the second set up works is that the drain going to the skimmer section can be run at high or "higher" flow for optimal filtration yet the "tee" going to the refugium section can be dialed down significantly to allow for better absorption of nutrients via the macro algae. I have never done it this way but based on research i know it to be the case. I dont have enough room under the stand for a separate refugium so this is the next best option.
The other "tee" thats going to the filter sock will only be used from time to time, when polishing water or if i ever want to dose lanthnum chloride to reduce phosphates.
nivram
New member
I was trying to say, build in redundancy for water overflow that might occur if the filter pad got dirty. But I now see the panel that holds the egg crate is lower that sump, so water would flow over it.
What are you going to do in your refugium? If just chaeto, I understand this actually does better tumbling in high flow.
blackthunda77
New member
Got some work done on the stand yesterday. Used the diy stand calculator to design it. Spanned it with 2x8s on the top so no need for a center brace.
blackthunda77
New member
yea, no center brace was a big factor for me. I want to be able to easily access and remove the sump if needed.
blackthunda77
New member
Finally moved into the new house and had some time to work on the tank and stand. Framing of the stand is pretty much complete. Gave it 2-3 coats of kilz primer and will be skinning it in plywood. That will come later though. I wanted to get the frame done and the tank up to free up room in the house and to be able to start the plumbing. I also placed tint on the back glass to black out the back panel. Heres a couple pics. I should be starting on making the sump and plumbing this weekend.
blackthunda77
New member
Your right Eddie. I might just have to start a new thread. I guess its about time.
blackthunda77
New member
BTW, its an 80 Gallon tank Mr. Soler. Dont short change me!
blackthunda77
New member
Going to put some granite end caps on each side to match the width of the wall behind the tank.
