Is this going to explode?

[Patricklong]

After looking at LOTS of refugiums and sumps, I have finally (I think) came up with a plan that I like best. I plan on this being a 10 gallon refuge....

Thoughts on this setup???

1. Media basket
2. Heater
3. Return Pump

4. HOB Skimmer




Any thoughts comments?? This is my first build/design so bare with my ignorance.

 

[pokeycow]

i think itll work good for u but you may want to add a bubble trap before the the return pump

 

[Patricklong]

I was thinking that this morning too. I had two bubble traps in my first sketch, but for some reason took it out on the rendering.

Appreciate the comment.

 

[collie man]

can you just tie it in above your existing sump and use gravity to drain water back into the sump?

 

[woganaga]

Whenever the word "Explode" is in a topic title I have to read it. I don't think it is going to explode.

 

[Patricklong]

can you just tie it in above your existing sump and use gravity to drain water back into the sump?

I do not have anything running yet...trying to get all my ducks in a row, before doing anything.

Whenever the word "Explode" is in a topic title I have to read it. I don't think it is going to explode.

Phew!!!

 

[Patricklong]

And a reason if anyone is curious as to why not an in tank skimmer is trying to reduce footprint as MUCH as possible.

 

[vietnam]

I would have gone with an intank but sometimes space or money is an issue. I know that was the problem with my first tank. Your set up looks fine, but like others have said, bubble trap before the return. You could go with a single baffle between the refuge/drain area and then do 2-3 baffles before the return.

 

[Patricklong]

I would have gone with an intank but sometimes space or money is an issue. I know that was the problem with my first tank. Your set up looks fine, but like others have said, bubble trap before the return. You could go with a single baffle between the refuge/drain area and then do 2-3 baffles before the return.

More space issue than money...its going to cost what its going to cost...if HOB was equally expensive, but did an equal job that would be perfect, LOL.

I like that idea of single baffle between fuge and drain.

Appreciate the input a whole lot.

 

[jay320bird1]

The only issue that i see is that the return pump area is very small so that with evaporation you are going to have a hard time keeping your return from running dry. I would recommend that if you are going to keep this design to incorporate and ATO so that way it wouldn't be an issue and you would also be able to leave the house for a couple days and not have to worry about your pump running dry.

 

[Tmoriarty]

What Jay said is very accurate, I have a small return section with not ATO in a 55g tank and I have to top off the return section every other day, and it is larger then yours (still a 10g sump.

Also If you have the room outside of your tank for the HOB skimmer then could you not just use a slightly larger tank and place a skimmer inside the sump? What size tank are you putting this under? If it is a 40B or a 55g, I would use a 20g long as a sump instead (its what im switching my 55g sump to).

As far as baffles before your pump, if you use a HOB skimmer (or any skimmer) in the first section, with a bubble trap following, you will not have much problem with bubbles (as long as you increase the return a little. If you use an ATO and always keep your return section waterline a few inches above the pump it should not pull bubbles. If the water level gets lower then you will need a few inches between the baffle and the pump to prevent the bubbles. I run no baffles on the return section of my 55g's sump and have no micro bubble problems, I removed the baffles just simply to give more room for water as a small return section was frustrating.

 

[AC2020x]

What Jay said is very accurate, I have a small return section with not ATO in a 55g tank and I have to top off the return section every other day, and it is larger then yours (still a 10g sump.

Also If you have the room outside of your tank for the HOB skimmer then could you not just use a slightly larger tank and place a skimmer inside the sump? What size tank are you putting this under? If it is a 40B or a 55g, I would use a 20g long as a sump instead (its what im switching my 55g sump to).

As far as baffles before your pump, if you use a HOB skimmer (or any skimmer) in the first section, with a bubble trap following, you will not have much problem with bubbles (as long as you increase the return a little. If you use an ATO and always keep your return section waterline a few inches above the pump it should not pull bubbles. If the water level gets lower then you will need a few inches between the baffle and the pump to prevent the bubbles. I run no baffles on the return section of my 55g's sump and have no micro bubble problems, I removed the baffles just simply to give more room for water as a small return section was frustrating.

+1 with the in sump skimmer and a 20L if you have the room. Also an ATO is a great investment!

 

[Patricklong]

The only issue that i see is that the return pump area is very small so that with evaporation you are going to have a hard time keeping your return from running dry. I would recommend that if you are going to keep this design to incorporate and ATO so that way it wouldn't be an issue and you would also be able to leave the house for a couple days and not have to worry about your pump running dry.

I was planning on an ATO down the line, hadnt given it much though til you mentioned it. I figure that with this size, an ATO with a 5gallon bucket wouldn't be that bad of idea.

What Jay said is very accurate, I have a small return section with not ATO in a 55g tank and I have to top off the return section every other day, and it is larger then yours (still a 10g sump.

Also If you have the room outside of your tank for the HOB skimmer then could you not just use a slightly larger tank and place a skimmer inside the sump? What size tank are you putting this under? If it is a 40B or a 55g, I would use a 20g long as a sump instead (its what im switching my 55g sump to).

As far as baffles before your pump, if you use a HOB skimmer (or any skimmer) in the first section, with a bubble trap following, you will not have much problem with bubbles (as long as you increase the return a little. If you use an ATO and always keep your return section waterline a few inches above the pump it should not pull bubbles. If the water level gets lower then you will need a few inches between the baffle and the pump to prevent the bubbles. I run no baffles on the return section of my 55g's sump and have no micro bubble problems, I removed the baffles just simply to give more room for water as a small return section was frustrating.

My theorizing behind the HOB opposed to in sump, is that the BH2000 for instance only would ad 4 inches to the outside dimensions. Having an in sump skimmer would take a footprint of almost double that no??

Im going to put this sump under a 20h tank. That is the most water I am willing to bring upstairs for the time being.

+1 with the in sump skimmer and a 20L if you have the room. Also an ATO is a great investment!

That is another issue, the stand I am leaning towards, Im not sure if a 20L would fit in there. We shall see, none of this is set in stone, just pre planning before I start the build.

 

[undertai]

you can always get one of the in tank nano Skimmers. Or a air driven Skimmer. Get rid of the media basket and replace with eggcrate and filter floss. Or No Skimmer as the picture looks like you will be using algae. You can use both algae and a Skimmer if you plan to be heavily stock in corals.

Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Patricklong]

I was just looking into the Tunze 9002 this evening. VERY small foot print to easily fit in chamber 1.

I was only planning on using the media basket for ease of replacement and use. If done with eggcrate, I feel would be much harder to interact with no??