Setting up a refugium

[Mistborn]

As per the advice of some members here, I'm looking to convert my sump into a refugium. It's 3ftx1ftx2ft. The tank itself is 6ftx18inx2ft. Right now all that's in there is my skimmer, filter sock, UV, and return. I'd like some help on where things should go.

http://i.imgur.com/5JolOVd.png

Sorry about the crude drawing here. As for the purpose of this tank, I really plan to keep it FOWLR, but I wanna give these guys the best home I can. The current inhabitants of the tank are :snowflake eel, pajama cardinal, flame angel, lamarck angel, diamond goby, lawnmower blenny, foxface rabbitfish.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

 

[ZeeSparrow]

Do you already have those baffles you've drawn in place?

 

[Mistborn]

Yes. That's what it looks like down there right now. I know it may not be optimal, but it's what I was given.

 

[Scoted]

If it was me I would use a razor blade and remove the baffles and start over. The diagram looks like a low water level for the skimmer and ato setup. You have to decide whether you want the refugium on the end, which you can control the flow rate or in the middle where the flow rate will equal the sump flow rate. I have mine in the middle where I have 14" tall baffles for the skimmer and refugium sections. I have a sump larger than my display so it can handle the extra water volume. If I was using your sump. I would place a 14" baffle for the refugium on the left then inlet/skimmer to return/ato and tee off the return line to feed the refugium. Maybe using a 10" or 12" baffle between the inlet and return depending on the size of equipment.

 

[JammyBirch]

I'd remove the baffles too. If it were me I'd run inlet with skimmer, over-under-over bubble trap, refugium section, over-under-over bubble trap then the return chamber.

I like the traps like that it keeps bubble out and allows you to set the heights for all of the chambers. IMO reduced flow through the fuge is a myth, the rubble and macro algae will reduce flow in areas where pods and other critters will thrive. Make sure you put a portion of your CUC in the sump to manage detritus and algae blooms in there a little bit.

 

[Scoted]

I have an under-over then an over-under but I have been called cheap once or twice. Lol maybe a visual will help. I also have an ato water reservoir on the right.

 

[Shock and Awe]

Mistborn,
I would start over as well. If you are going to do a project, you might as well do it right from the beginning.
Take a look at Melev's Reef.
http://www.melevsreef.com/acrylics/sumps/glass/
for some help.

 

[JammyBirch]

I have an under-over then an over-under but I have been called cheap once or twice. Lol maybe a visual will help. I also have an ato water reservoir on the right.

Lol...ya, the over under or under over work great if the drop isn't significant, but really if bubbles aren't a problem the three baffles is a waste.

 

[Mistborn]

I'd remove the baffles too. If it were me I'd run inlet with skimmer, over-under-over bubble trap, refugium section, over-under-over bubble trap then the return chamber.

I like the traps like that it keeps bubble out and allows you to set the heights for all of the chambers. IMO reduced flow through the fuge is a myth, the rubble and macro algae will reduce flow in areas where pods and other critters will thrive. Make sure you put a portion of your CUC in the sump to manage detritus and algae blooms in there a little bit.

Between the over-under-over pieces about how much space should there be? 2-3 inches? I'm really liking this setup

 

[JammyBirch]

1inch between baffles is fine I run about 3/4 inch it looks better to me.

There are a few things you need to keep in mind when designing a sump.

Two scenarios...That cause flooding because of poor design...

1. Power outage - all of the water above your drain pipe/overflow will end up in your sump. Calculate this volume and make sure it +20% can fit in the sump.

2. Drain blockage - in this case your return pump will continue to pump the chamber volume into the DT, whether you like it or not. Make sure your return chamber volume is less than the overfill or head space volume of the DT.

Make the return chamber as shallow as your pump can handle.

Good luck, I love sumps big time...mine is crawling with life and coralline I spend a lot of time looking at it.

 

[Mistborn]

Not worried about either of those situations, but thanks for the heads up. I'm looking forward to doing this. The problem is that this sump is already in use. So I'm going to be creative when securing the baffles.