Help, need maximize avail space for Sump/Refugium

[Nammy]

I'm looking for some ideas how I should divide my Tank to make a sump/refugium.
I have a EuroReef Skimmer, Mag drive 12,. The tank is a 29G, specs 30"L x 12"W x 18"H.
The tank is not drilled and I would like to keep it that way.

How can I maximize the available space in the tank.
Pics, drawings would be greatly appreciated..

 

[Nammy]

Here is my idea

1. The intake with baffles would be to the side which would take up about 4" of the space.
2. I could put the skimmer and returne together.
3. I could keep LR under the skimmer. These two together would take about 12".
4. Have about 12" for refugium.

 

[upstatedave]

that would tend to produce a stronger flow through the fuge...if the return is in the middle you can control the flow to the fuge...I put my skimmer in the section where the water comes in from the tank...that way it is getting a constant supply of new nasty water to skim...also...I kept my skimmer input pump as high in the water column as I could...it seems that most of the skimmable junk is in the top 10% of the column...just my thoughts...hope it helps....Dave

 

[Nammy]

Good point Dave, however, if I have the Skimmer and intake together this would leave me only about 4" for the return pump. The problem with that is, the pump could easily run dry if I'm a little behind on the top off.
I will (like you said) keep the skimmer pump higher. It will alow me to put more LR below.

 

[Nammy]

I this what you mean Dave?

 

[Nammy]

How about this one

 

[upstatedave]

that is what I was refering to....with the return in the middle and the intake on one side....the fuge on the other end...your skimmer will get raw water as will the fuge...and the flow through the fuge can be controlled....with the skimmer in the section that also has the return to the tank you have a varying water level due to evaporation...if the skimmer is in the intake section it will always have a constant water level

 

[Nammy]

I haven't started the sump/refugium yet. Maybe this weekend

 

[xian]

Let me know if you need macro

 

[Nammy]

Thanks Xian - however already have a refugium and it's been setup for about 2 years.

 

[Nammy]

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=7730343#post7730343

Here is my latest plan for the refugium/sump.
Tell me if I need to go back to the drawing board.

Keep in mind the pic is to scale (everyting will fit)

 

[TA]

Keep in mind that the water level in the return section will decrease with evaporation. If you don't use an auto top off device, you need to have sufficient volume in there to avoid sucking air into the return (I evaporate about 1-2 gallons/day).

 

[Nammy]

Good point and I do have an auto top off.