Sump/Refugium Suggestions

[Xler8n]

Hey everyone,

So i finally got my 30 gallon tank and ASM G3 skimmer. Total cost $125. Ive been using a modded bak pak 2 skimmer on my 75 gallon with SPS and i think that piece of junk is holding me back. But the sump i have now is way to small for that monster skimmer. I want to build a refugium/sump but cant decide how i want to set it up. I was thinking going with melevsreef Model F design which is Skimmer-Return-Fuge. But to do this i would need to split my drain tube to feed both the skimmer and fuge chamber. Also the tank that i got is drilled in the back so what is the best way i could utilize this hole? Use it as the intake by aiming a pvc pipe down or plug the hole up and use a filter sock holder in the skimmer chamber. Another design i was thinking of was going Skimmer-Fuge-Return, but ive heard that you want nutrient rich water going into the Fuge straight from the display. Ugh.. Decisions, decisions. What are some suggestions you guys can give me? Also i will be using a Rio 2100 for my return. Thanks

 

[Xler8n]

Bump.. Anyone?

 

[huskysglare1]

just have a skimmer section and a cheato section. Don't add sand. Avoid having spaces for detritus to settle.

 

[tdwright1971]

I did mine skimmer, fuge, return. It seems the simplest design. I would use the hole as an intake, IME filter socks will clog rapidly and trap pods.

 

[huskysglare1]

This is my design.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2026271

 

[huskysglare1]

this is my updated design. There aren't any places for detritus to settle and accumulate.

 

[Xler8n]

Im my current fuge setup i hae cheato and caulerpa with a 3 inch sand bed that i havent stirred up or syphoned since i put it in there. How do i deal with this when i switch refugiums? So your saying no sand or crushed coral in the refugium chamber? Also so i should put the skimmer to the right with the drain hole then have the fuge in the middle and return on far left? Doing it this was has one advantage of keeping the overhead of my RIO 2100 to a minimum.

 

[allsps40]

With that skimmer you wont need a fuge or just a small BB fuge will be good. I took my fuge out and the increase in no3 has colored up my sps. Po4 is still 0. The G3 is a beast for a 75g and should remove most waste before it breaks down.

 

[huskysglare1]

I agree with all. Either have cheatos and skimmer only or go bare bottom

 

[Xler8n]

Skimmer - Fuge - Return then... I was planning on doing an over under over using 1/4" glass baffles. What kind of baffle configuration should i use separating the Fuge - Return? A small baffle with egg crate on top so the cheato wont go into the return? Also after the skimmer i will have about 22". How should i separate the space? I was planning on adding an ATO soon with Kalk.