Let's Build a Cube Reef Setup!

[CleanLivin]

Jack-- the refugium should be at least 10% of your water volume.I could not come up with that in my sump (30x24x16) and still have a decent sized skimmer section and return section.Getting baffles in to have my skimmer section constant was my priority.You can always add a fuge later,doesn't have to be in sump...-Dave

Sounds good to me Dave - I'll focus on getting rig up with sump then ponder refugium at a later date.

Is there also a % guide for what size sump I should be seeking?

Jack

 

[autodave]

As far a sumps go-the bigger the better and long and wide as you can go.What type if return pump were you using?Internal/External?

 

[CleanLivin]

As far a sumps go-the bigger the better and long and wide as you can go.What type if return pump were you using?Internal/External?

Dave,
I'm wrestling with the pump location. As I want to avoid the chiller, I'm thinking external so no heat in added to the water from the pump. Agree on the sump volume - bigger is better. However I've got to leave room in the small footprint cabinet for any other support hardware that I will be adding.

I have purchased a used AquaMedic 1000 Calcium Reactor with CO2 tank, regulator, etc. Just need to get the probe to control the reactor. The actual reactor could go in the sump with the tank/regulator exterior to the sump.

Marineland said the internal space in the cabinet is about 35x35x25. How much of that would you take up with a sump and what pump would YOU use?

Jack

 

[autodave]

Jack- Were you thinking about a custom made sump?You could get your equipment,then get a sump made to your spec's.If it would fit,maybe something like 34x22?If you want to see some great designs,search in the DIY section for sump designs by Uncle of 6,he is a sump guru -Dave

 

[reefsurfing]

Dave,
I'm wrestling with the pump location. As I want to avoid the chiller, I'm thinking external so no heat in added to the water from the pump. Agree on the sump volume - bigger is better. However I've got to leave room in the small footprint cabinet for any other support hardware that I will be adding.

I have purchased a used AquaMedic 1000 Calcium Reactor with CO2 tank, regulator, etc. Just need to get the probe to control the reactor. The actual reactor could go in the sump with the tank/regulator exterior to the sump.

Marineland said the internal space in the cabinet is about 35x35x25. How much of that would you take up with a sump and what pump would YOU use?

Jack

Personally, I would buy a 20 long, head to lowes and get 4 baffles cut and make my own sump/refugium. For a pump I would just get the Tunze 1073.040 like I have.

 

[CleanLivin]

Personally, I would buy a 20 long, head to lowes and get 4 baffles cut and make my own sump/refugium. For a pump I would just get the Tunze 1073.040 like I have.

By a "20 long" I assume you are suggesting a 20 gallon long glass tank - like at Walmart or PetSmart? Then do the HDepot trick and turn it into a sump.

Right?

Of course, unless I wanted to try to drill the glass of the 20 long, I'm restricted to an internal pump.
But it sure would save money, which I'm into!

 

[reefsurfing]

By a "20 long" I assume you are suggesting a 20 gallon long glass tank - like at Walmart or PetSmart? Then do the HDepot trick and turn it into a sump.

Right?

Of course, unless I wanted to try to drill the glass of the 20 long, I'm restricted to an internal pump.
But it sure would save money, which I'm into!

Right! I pulled this trick and with careful planning I had plenty of room for all 3 compartments. It might fall short of the 10% volume guidline but is still very effective at aiding in filtration with the addition of macro algaes. This allows me to spend money on things like my AI LEDs and an mp 40 rather than dumping that money into an expensive sumps. I even have enough room to upgrade my skimmer to the new ati cone 200 or 250; which is the plan. For my tank I like to K.I.S.S. while being efficient in my electrical consumption and have the best equipment that falls into those ideals.:fish1: