sump/skimmer/refugium

[duds]

I have a 29 gallon tank and want to add all of the above but dont know how to go about doing it, any suggestions on a skimmer?
Thanks in advance
Duds

 

[mfinn]

Check out this web site. it's got a ton of info.

http://www.melevsreef.com/

 

[duds]

thanks for the link, but i want to get a in sump skimmer no room for hang on tank, so the sump part will have the skimmer in it and then to one side i will have the refugium, I just dont know how to go about building the sump and making it work
Duds

 

[mfinn]

I have built my last 3 sumps and I designed them all the same way.
The simpler the better, so I just use three basic chambers. The first where the water comes in at is where I have a skimmer, the second is where I put thr fuge. The last is for out going water.

 

[duds]

alright that sounds pretty easy but what equipment do i need to get the water to and from the tank? and what skimmer would you reccomend for a 29 gallon tank?
Thanks
Duds

 

[mfinn]

Small tank skimmers are usually not very good. I would reccomend looking for a remora skimmer I believe they are made by Aqua C. You can find these used in the used equipment forum all the time.
If your tank is not drilled, you will need a overflow box.
And to get the water you will need a pump that is less powerful that the amount of water the overflow box will handle. That is very important.

 

[dngspot]

I have built a 29 gallon refigium, from an aquarium that was purchased at Pets mart. It also has three compartments and five baffles. I gave it to my friend and he has put a Coralife skimmer in the intake. The intake can be built as big as you like, but you will use some of the space for the refigium. This is a 20 gallon unit that will be placed under my 55 gallon tank.
Water flow is from right to left.
David

 

[mfinn]

this sump is very similar to the ones I have made.
I have made sumps that hold 24 gallons up to 55 gallons. I'm going to build one using this basic design that will be approx 80 gallons.
http://www.melevsreef.com/acrylics/sumps/e/sump_model_e.html

 

[dngspot]

I have an old 50 Gallon under my 150 Gallon tank. It holds 30 gallons of water during operation. I use a OC-6500 pump for return (1700 gph). It has been a great refigium. This is not a copy from Melevsreef. But I have taken a weir design from the website and modified it to my needs.
David

 

[duds]

i have no room for a over flow box is there another way without drillign and putting in an overflow box?, what so something like a aqua c urchin the one like the remora butin sump style?
Thanks
Duds

 

[dngspot]

The box above does not require any drilling.

 

[duds]

can you explain how it works?
Thanks
Duds

 

[dngspot]

Take a look at Melevsreef and it will show the basic construction. http://www.melevsreef.com/acrylics/overflow.html

 

[ReeferMO85]

This is also for a 29gal. though I speculate it could be used on a 90gal. with no issues.

 

[dngspot]

If you still have questions, post and I will reply

 

[ReeferMO85]

Hang-on overflows require no drilling. The basic design for this was borrowed from Melev's Reef.

 

[dngspot]

I would not say borrowed from Melev's Reef. He is great at what he does but the first on I saw was a CPR unit. I did use his design as a reference as well as others.

 

[dngspot]

My unit pulls to much water to stay primed by itself. I use a lift pump to remove any air that gets trapped in the overflow. Please do not think that I am discrediting what Melve's Reef does. The guy had done great things and I have a great deal of respect for him. The routs that I took before I built my overflows were both research from many resources and a bunch of trial and error.

 

[duds]

alright now i know how to do all that, what tube do i use for the return? and how big of a pump should i use to get the water flowing back into the tank? any ideas on other skimmers?
Thanks
Duds

 

[mfinn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7797900#post7797900 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by duds
i have no room for a over flow box is there another way without drillign and putting in an overflow box?
Thanks
Duds

If you don't want to have your tank drilled and you don't have room for a overflow box, there is no other safe way to get water to a below tank sump.
If you could put a sump above the main tank somehow, you could use a small powerhead in the tank to pump up to the sump and then let gravity drop the water back to the tank.