need help with sump/refugium design

[robbywood20]

I'm about to build a sump/refugium out of a 34 gal tank dem 30"x12"x21.5"
question is how to lay it out and do the baffles?should it be inlet,skimmer,bubble trap,refugium,return? or should it be inlet,refugium,skimmer,bubble trap,return?I will be running two 200 micron 4"x14" filter socks on the inlet so if I do inlet then skimmer will I still need a baffle between the inlet socks and the skimmer or can the inlet socks just hang in the same section as the skimmer?someone with cad eperience that could draw it out for me would be awesome.I am running a reefoctopus 200 skimmer with a footprint of 12"x8" and a mag 12 return pump. or I can drill the sump and run an external pump I am completely open to either one and can drill the glass myself.

 

[irahmatulla]

Following! I am using a same size tank, and my return is getting sent out tomorrow. Going to home depot to get the acrylic/plexi tomorrow for baffles and have seen far too many setups. Need solid advice.

 

[chef jeff]

You might get some good information here: http://www.melevsreef.com/">http://www.melevsreef.com</a>

I used his designs as inspiration for some of mine. You might want to put the return in the center section with a bubble trap between the skimmer section and the fuge on the other end as this way you can separate the inlet into two flows and control how much water moves through the fuge.

 

[irahmatulla]

I just looked at that site, the dual inlet looks great, when it comes to the head on a return, does horizontal flow change the gph return? I have a cube, should I plumb angles or would it be wise/unique to set the return under the corner overflow, and have the cube diagonal with the sump angled underneath? Veiwable from three sides....

 

[chef jeff]

Check at the bottom of the page:

 

[ripped tide]

I have a basic lay out when I build them for folks. Keep in mind that they are very privative..... Interpret as you will.

The pics are in here. http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=61238">http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=61238</a>

LIke i said, this is just a basic set up.
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[irahmatulla]

also, silly question but. Currently my DT is a 60g RR cube. 24''x24''x24'' It has scratches, but considering it is mine alone for looking, I would rather have size over clarity. The girlfriend has considered jumping onboard and we may upgrade to the 90 in the closet. Can I make an effective cube sump? Maybe quad compartments and have sump/fuge/return/frag or would that just have too many trickle downs to be sensible? Just thinking out loud here. Or since it is already drilled, maybe just a 60g fuge with a 20g skimmer/reactor/return? Use the inlet on the 60 as outlet, or cap? Dunno, my brain strays sometimes.

 

[ripped tide]

Primative**^^

 

[irahmatulla]

The later? Like I said, just thinking out loud. I am still new to the plumbed tank, and would rather re-use what I already have than spend on a new setup. Also, was just thinking of adding as much volume to the system as possible. It is a ways off, but was just giving myself more to run with. Would it be a bunch of unnecisary head pressure? Should I just try and get my hands on a 55-75 for sump then?

 

[ripped tide]

Lol, i wasn't calling your idea primative, i was correcting a typo in my post. You should be able to make a sump out of the cube. I can help with a design if you would like.

 

[irahmatulla]

as long as the design is not "Privative". Lol Had to go back and read it. Like I said, it is a ways off, I am going to build a sump for the cube this week. More than likely will need to get a better return for the 90. This tank has been done so cheaply. Come tax time, I will do the next one "right."

 

[ripped tide]

I wish i was coming down. Unfortunately i will be taxi for my wife until her car is fixed.

 

[irahmatulla]

Is it anything serious? I am not worried about it. My return payment finally cleared paypal today. Do not know why it put in as an e-check instead of using the money I already had on there. So, sump/fuge will be built this weekend. Hopefully my car will get fixed in the next two days. Maybe I can make it up for a meeting sometime soon.

 

[rdnelson]

Ripped Tide;699022 wrote: I have a basic lay out when I build them for folks. Keep in mind that they are very privative..... Interpret as you will.

The pics are in here. http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=61238">http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=61238</a>

LIke i said, this is just a basic set up.[/QUOTE]

What thickness was the acrylic you used for the main tank? Looks to me like all HD has is 1/4" which I know would be fine for the baffles but it concerns me as far as the main tank.