Setting up refugium

[piggyacres]

I have a 210 gallon tank with a 55 gallon underneath that I have had up and running for about a year. I have been studing refugiums and want the 55 to be set up as so, one section for pump, one for protein skimmer, and one for the sand, plants, and a few rocks.

How can I do this with the tank already running and what should I use as dividers between each section. Is there an easy way to do this? Right now I have about 6 inches of sand across the whole 55 gallon, a hang on protein skimmer and a few rocks and a pump. Any comments are appreciated.

 

[losthere]

I would just devide with some glass and silicone it in. Use two pieces one going from the bottom to midway and the other from the top going about half way down an inch or so from the other piece so water can flow through, forming somewhat of a bubble trap. Or just use the bottom piece to keep sand from entering pumps. JMO sand, rocks, algae, in a sump just causes problems, just one more thing to clean and service, and another place for detritus to accumulate, and more things to clog you pumps. a bare bottom where you arent worried about asthetics is much easier to maintain, and easy to vaccume out the detritus that accumulates. Also what type of skimmer are you using that is a HOB for a 210 gal? I am not familiar with HOB skimmers for large tanks.

 

[jb61264]

Here is an option: http://www.melevsreef.com/acrylics/sumps/f/sump_f.html

Ideally, you would want to be able to drill your tank and install an overflow but this may not be an option for you at this point if you have been up and running for a while.

I have purchased a prefilter siphon box from Jeff at LifeReef (http://www.lifereef.com/) and been VERY happy with the quality of his products...you would then plumb it in to your 55 below your DT. If you decide to use a siphon box like this, I would definitely recommend not just buying the cheapest box out there or making your own...this will become a critical piece of equipment for your system and you want something that works...I know LifeReef guarantees a restart of the siphon box he males in the event of a power outtage and I can attest to it doing just this...I was skeptical when I bought one of these for my first reef tank but after manually stopping and restarting my pump time and time again (for feeding, etc) I was convinced that I didn't have much to worry about with his product.

 

[piggyacres]

I have a coral life protein skimmer. I was told it could go inside or outside the tank. I have the biggest one they sell.
So if I go with the glass and use silicone, I assume I have to drain the 55 gallon to do this? Is there any way to set this up with out all the work? I want a bear bottom on the sections where the protein skimmer and pump go, I agree with less hassle.