Sump design help!

[HawgFan]

I am setting up a 55 gal reef tank and am going to use a 20g long for my sump/refugium(hopefully).

I am thinking about ordering the MSX 200, however the footprint for this skimmer is 11.5inx13.5in and the 20 long measures 12inx30in. Which would mean the 1st compartment of my sump would take up almost half of my room.

I was thinking that the first compartment could 12x15, the second(refugium)12x8, and the third(return)12x7.

Could I still fit a fuge compartment, a bubble trap, and return compartment with the remaining 15in? I am using a Mag 7 for my return pump.

Also should the bubble trap definitely be right before the return compartment

I really want to put my fuge in the sump, even if that means looking at other skimmers. I am almost thinking about scrubbing the fuge and maybe just using the extra room for other things, and after getting my main tank stocked and growing using a HOB fuge.

Any help on possible sump design/different skimmers for my space/just sump ideas in general will be greatly appreciated.

 

[46FiatYamaha]

For skimmer choices, I have a EV-180 on a 120 and love it, and it's footprint is only 5.75 x 9. You would probably do fine with a EV-120 which is 4.75 x 8.5, both numbers without pumps though, but they could be placed anywhere. Should give you a lot more room for other things. Also, it's not entirely required to have a refuge, as I have no room for one and as long as you don't overfeed, and I have no nitrate problem

 

[benihana]

i would either ditch the fuge, or switch to a MSX 160, which will still be overkill for your tank

 

[THE ROOK]

Your heading in the right direction. Go with the MSX 200. Mine just came in today. It is absolutely awesome. Built like a tank.

The 160 is only $10.00 cheaper & no room for growth.

I would get the skimmer & set the bubble trap once you have it as my skimmer section is 16" long & it's a pretty tight in there.

If you want a fuge, I'd try to find a cheap 36" long tank to give a little more room.

Make sure you setup an auto top off. It will certainly be needed with a small return section.

 

[HawgFan]

thx all. I think I am going to go with the MSX 160 even though it is only a few dollars cheaper. Going with the smaller footprint will allow me room for my refugium. I'm still debating my options, but in the meantime I'm going to start working on a date too start filling my tank and getting my cycle started.

 

[THE ROOK]

Read thru the "MSX Club" thread over in the Filtration Forum. There's a bunch of members who run the 160. They would be able to give to the best advice.

 

[padgett152]

here is the design on a 20 long i just completed. the skimmer you have chosen would fit in any of the compartments i made. my fuge is to the left. my inlet to the sump is t-ed and i use 2 valves to control water to the skimmer area and the refugium area. i plan on adding an octopus 160 and it will fit easy.

 

[kcrush4989]

Here is what i did and it works great.

I built a stand for my skimmer and placed my return pump under it. The skimmer has a gate valve mod that feeds the fuge. The fuge then over flows and feeds the return pump.

Keith