New home built sump/fuge

[swalker]

Well I finally found the time to build a new sump/fuge for my 240g tank last weekend. For a long time now I have been using a wet dry filter with (Nitrate factory) Bio-Balls because someone told me that was what I needed and I was to stupid to know any different. Oh well, Live and learn.

I found this awsome web page that has tons of info if anyone is interested in doing your own acrylic work. There is a ton of pictures, tips and detailed instructions. It was a big help to me.

Here is the link
http://www.melevsreef.com/

Here is a pic of my first sump with probe holders on the right side and float switches on the left for auto top off. Remember, It's my first. So be nice! LOL

 

[Cabin3tGuy]

From the looks of that pic I'd say you been building sumps for a long time
Good Work ..... :strooper:

 

[neuroslicer]

Very nice job Steve. Stop by and pick up some chaeto from me... I'm just about ready to harvest some.

 

[ppht]

wow that looks great... Build me one... lol

 

[bshumake]

What a hack job. Don't quit your day job!
I'd like mine 45" x 18" x 16" please.
Seriously though Steve. I'm glad you decided to post that. For a first time project you really made it look great. You should have seen my first one! It was held together with prayer!
Here I was thinking you were gonna get me to help you make yours and you showed me up. Punk.

 

[swalker]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8515758#post8515758 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bshumake
What a hack job. Don't quit your day job!
Here I was thinking you were gonna get me to help you make yours and you showed me up. Punk.

Your a nut Barrett!

Thanks for the complements guys. I may just take you up on that Jay. I still don't have it installed yet because work has had me so busy.

I had to cut a hole in the end of my stand to have a way to install it. So I will have to patch that too. I will post pics as I go if anyone is interested.

 

[bshumake]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8516596#post8516596 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by swalker
I had to cut a hole in the end of my stand to have a way to install it.

Ahh. Another victim of "I think thats right..." thinking. You saw the hole I cut in mine didn't you? I have some scrap Poplar and Birch from my stand. I'm sure you could make a door to cover that hole with it. You want some?

 

[DrPeaches]

Just out of curiosity, won't the left side where you have the ATO switches always operate at a constant water level? Shouldn't they be on the right?

And do you perhaps give acrylic-building lessons?

 

[bshumake]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8518022#post8518022 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DrPeaches
won't the left side where you have the ATO switches always operate at a constant water level? Shouldn't they be on the right?

Good call. I didn't notice that. You're right. The ATO switches have to be on a region prone to level changes. The return area is where they should be.

 

[swalker]

The right side is where my tank overflows drain into and where my skimmer will go. The center section is the fuge and the left side with the ATO switches is the return section. Make sence?

 

[bshumake]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8518922#post8518922 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by swalker
Make sence?

It do now.

 

[swalker]

Barrett or Jay, one of you guys suggested I add some actinic lighting to help color up my corals and I know Jay was in shock at how short my light on time was.

Sooooo. I added added 2 96watt actinics and adding 2 more this weekend. I have been running the first 2 for two weeks and things are already coloring up a good bit.

Thanks for the tip.

 

[neuroslicer]

Watt a bright idea!

 

[DrPeaches]

I'm still a bit confused about the way you plan to route water through the sump. If you run the water right to left, you will, I assume, have about 1000 gph flow running through what looks to be about a 20 gallon refugium section, which is about a 50x turnover. Isn't that way too much for a refugium?

Wouldn't it be better to route the water the opposite way? My thought is that it would be better to split the standpipes to where a small amount of water flows into the left section, which would be used as the refugium. It would then drain into the center section where the skimmer would sit and the vast majority of water would drain out of the tank into the sump. The treated water would then flow through the bubble trap to the return section on the right.

By no means to I claim to be an expert on sumps, but I'm in the process of designing one of my own for a new tank. I'm just trying to get it right myself.

 

[dtbradly]

Neuroslicer, you have mail