Sump Design – Thoughts?

[benihana]

Tank "“ 72x42x24 "“ SPS Dominant
Sump "“ TBD, but leaning towards 60x36x16

Thoughts "“ main goal is to make water changes simple and effective, the Water Change portion of the sump would be planned for approx. 45 gallons of water, so when the system is shut off, I can change/and water to the sump instead of the display

I would like to have an additional chamber for Live Rock in order to increase filtration, but wondering if I should be adding a Refugium instead?

There will be bubble traps leading into the return, just not reflected in the rendering

What are your thoughts on this sump design? Anything I should eliminate/add/change?

 

[Mattewell]

If it was me, i would have the water flow in this order.

From DT --> Skimmer --> Water Change --> Live Rock/Fuge --> Return


This way detritus can settle in your water change section and can be easily removed. Also, do you plan on using a siphon or a pump to remove the water from the water change section? If using a siphon, make sure that section is going to be high enough to allow you to sipon out.

 

[ca1ore]

I've been of the opinion lately that the refugium is better done as its own separate tank rather than trying to cobble it into the sump. I ALWAYS end up feeling space constrained in my sump, so building in ample space will be my approach next time I do one. Plus, all the faith people seem to place in their tiny sump-based fuge has always struck me a bit comical.

 

[benihana]

I've been of the opinion lately that the refugium is better done as its own separate tank rather than trying to cobble it into the sump. I ALWAYS end up feeling space constrained in my sump, so building in ample space will be my approach next time I do one. Plus, all the faith people seem to place in their tiny sump-based fuge has always struck me a bit comical.

What is your suggestion on how large a fuge should be in relation to the DT?

 

[benihana]

If it was me, i would have the water flow in this order.



From DT --> Skimmer --> Water Change --> Live Rock/Fuge --> Return





This way detritus can settle in your water change section and can be easily removed. Also, do you plan on using a siphon or a pump to remove the water from the water change section? If using a siphon, make sure that section is going to be high enough to allow you to sipon out.

Agree, I will incorporate this change

 

[ca1ore]

What is your suggestion on how large a fuge should be in relation to the DT?

Depends a bit on what purpose you intend it to play. If just a place to be able to introduce a new fish without aggression, isolate a coral, etc. then 40B is my ideal size. That probably also works if you plan to grow chaeto to remove nutrients. If you want a fuge to be an adequate producer of food (i.e. pods) than I think you need to go much bigger, say 1/2 of the display.