What do you think about this Refugium Sump?

[Spaghetti Cat]

I am planning on making my stand an extra 30" wider so I can put a good size sump refugium under the tank and my RO/DI unit and tank and what ever else wont fit under the tank side.
I have a lead on a good deal on one of these.

AE Tech Platinum Series Refugium Sump

• 42"x18"x18"x 3/8" Heavy Duty cell cast acrylic construction

• 60 gallon capacity,

• Drain down Capacity 34 gallons

• Constant water level skimmer chamber 14x18"
Can be used with large internal skimmers, including Euro Reef skimmers

• Operating water level indicator at 71/2"

• Air removing baffle chambers w/Bio-Bale

• Four black baffles with below surface refugium drainage baffle

• Positive water circulation in refugium section, Our baffle design is far superior to other designs because it allows water to circulate in the compartment. Promoting healthy algae and marine life.

• 100 Micron Filter Bag & Holder

• Two 1 1/2" Tank Drain Bulkheads

• One 1 1/2" external return pump bulkhead w/ screen

• One 11/2" skimmer bulkhead and one 1" skimmer pump bulkhead w/screen.

• Probe, heater holders & two 1/4" John Guest fitting

• Exclusive Accessory Mounting rail drilled for extra 3/4" & 1" bulkheads

Description
AETech's sumps allow for the high sump flow rates encountered in today's top filtration systems.

Four baffle design allows for a bubble free tank return even with the most powerful skimmer attached.

Unique constant water level design maintains the same water level in the skimmer compartment irregardless of evaporation. This means that the skimmer will always operate exactly as set.

Large open area in the Refugium sump design allows for easy fitting of marine algae.

Our HD 42 Refugium sumps are heavy duty 3/8 in. cast acrylic construction with probe holders and cover.
Also included is our 100 Micron filtration bag on all AETech sump models.

One of the best designed refugium section available in a sump.
Full four black baffle design with our positive flow refugium section. This forces water from below the surface of the refugium compartment to empty into the return compartments surface section, giving the maximum oxygenation and circulation to the water in all compartments. This designed circulation of water makes for the best refugium section, allowing algae and plankton to prosper in nutrient rich water.

Featuring our exclusive "Accessory Rail" for bulkhead and wiring across the back of the sump.
Now standard on Premium & Platinum Sumps. Allows for easy installation of accessories.
Comes pre-drilled for 1" and 3/4" size bulkheads

Shown with optional lighting and auxiliary feed pump and three-way manifold for reactors

 

[LunarDDS]

That is a pretty complete setup. Are you going to run internal or external? For internal just make sure the water level in the skimmer section is tall enough for you. For external the bulkhead they have on that skimmer may be a bit low for most. The etss skimmers allow you to run the drain below the water level. Most externals will want to be drained above the water level. You may have raise the skimmer and drain over the top or drill a new bulkhead above the water level.

Also, figure out how you want to do your topoff. I have a simple float valve located in the return pump section. It works as long as I can have the reservoir higher than the sump. You would have to drill a hole for the float valve or go with an auto top off solution.

 

[THE ROOK]

The skimmer section looks too narrow for many in-sump skimmers. Do you know what you'll be running for a skimmer?

You can also build your own out of a new/used fish tank for a 1/4 of the cost.

 

[Spaghetti Cat]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14922286#post14922286 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by LunarDDS
That is a pretty complete setup. Are you going to run internal or external? For internal just make sure the water level in the skimmer section is tall enough for you. For external the bulkhead they have on that skimmer may be a bit low for most. The etss skimmers allow you to run the drain below the water level. Most externals will want to be drained above the water level. You may have raise the skimmer and drain over the top or drill a new bulkhead above the water level.

Also, figure out how you want to do your topoff. I have a simple float valve located in the return pump section. It works as long as I can have the reservoir higher than the sump. You would have to drill a hole for the float valve or go with an auto top off solution.

The 7.5" depth should be perfect for my H&S 150 F2000/1 skimmer. I am really undecided as to the internal/external pump, I guess I'm looking for some direction here.

I should be able to do a simple gravity top off system.

 

[Spaghetti Cat]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14922330#post14922330 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by THE ROOK
The skimmer section looks too narrow for many in-sump skimmers. Do you know what you'll be running for a skimmer?

You can also build your own out of a new/used fish tank for a 1/4 of the cost.

My skimmer has a footprint of 7"x14" and the skimmer chamber 14"x18"

I hope to be buying this one for less than half of what they sell for.