2 tanks one sump. built around a 40b. refugium?

tedward27 · 03/21/2016, 09:32 PM

I have a 20 long next to a 40 breeder. The 40b was recently rebuilt with no changes to the sump. so... kind of a new tank but a seasoned filter. No problems,but I would like to connect both tanks. I have decided in the long run, I will probably end up with a display refugium. Starting with a display deep dand bed(lol)... and??? Any thoughts? It will be slow going. IMG_20160321_185629.jpg

IMG_20160321_215116.jpg

toothybugs · 03/22/2016, 05:38 AM

You're doing what I just finished setting up. Literally - last night

Only difference is I setup a 75 and my 40B is my fuge.

My system has the following loop with a split return chamber to separate two pumps: DT outflows to skimmer chamber --> dual returns run back to 1) DT and 2) to the display fuge --> fuge outflow goes to return for DT (right next to pump #1). This keeps pods and such out of your skimmer while avoiding the hassles of splitting return lines, etc and provides you with a second pump should your main one go out for any reason.

I didn't do a DSB in my fuge because I'm not a fan of losing all that tank volume to just sand, but if you have a bunch of sand dwellers in your fuge (a jawfish would be a cool add), then have at it. You can also do a remote DSB if you wish.

tedward27 · 03/24/2016, 12:12 AM

Good information on how it worked for your setup. I will take a couple pointers there for sure. I know i got a lot of work to do yet. my next decision is to take apart the 20L this weekend and begin the process, or Start Building a New Sump! I have wanted a new sump for a while now. I found out that my local petco in the q.c.a. is starting they're dollar per gallon sale very soon! Got to start working on it this weekend either way. starting with the 20 gal will be way easier than a new sump but both are gonna happen! here's the current sump with a...filter 1.jpg

filter 2.jpg

npr1.jpg

npr2.jpg(nonphotosynthetic) refuge or a live filter i guess.

tedward27 · 03/24/2016, 12:13 AM

Any ideas are welcome!

Ron Reefman · 03/24/2016, 04:15 AM

I have 2 systems and both have 2 tanks. The big one is a 180g mixed reef and a 75g hexagon tank with gorgonians and they share a sump/refugium/DSB that is 8' x 2' x 18" deep.The second is a 65g shallow reef and a 22g frag tank that share a 6' x 2' x 18" sump/refugium. The big system has been running over 5 years, the smaller one about 3 years. All 4 tanks are glass, the 65g and 22g I made myself. Both sumps are acrylic. The big one was a frag tank at a LFS and they switched to glass. It makes a great sump.

tedward27 · 04/02/2016, 02:39 PM

Finally getting started tonight!

Darth Vedder · 04/02/2016, 05:02 PM

Is it just me or does "2 tanks one sump" make your brain think immediately of two girls one cup?"

I have a 40 breeder fed from my main 120 display and sump that then overflows to a 20L Refugium then back to shared sump

Works out good for me

tedward27 · 04/02/2016, 11:25 PM

Good one. I should have thought of that. Got it running but need to valve the return to the 20.

Reef Mortician · 04/03/2016, 09:35 AM

I'm working on a similar build, a 40 breeder and 55 display fuge tied to a 20 gallon two stage sump.

tedward27 · 04/03/2016, 07:10 PM

Cool setup. Will for sure be a good build to keep an eye on. I dealt with what i had setup already. works good. After lots of hours listening to lectures and reading I decided no dsb. I am hoping to have plants. and critters of course. working on pics tonight.

tedward27 · 04/04/2016, 12:00 AM

Still have a few things to do but here is how it turned out. 20 drains into the middle of the sump. Whats left of the 20 is....Not sure what species of green rock/turf algae. It has always grown good but slow. And a gold stripe maroon clown. I am mostly happy to have one system chemistry/parameters to look after. And still a lot of learning to do! Should be fun.

03/24/2016, 12:12 AM	#3
tedward27 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Bettendorf Iowa Posts: 63	Good information on how it worked for your setup. I will take a couple pointers there for sure. I know i got a lot of work to do yet. my next decision is to take apart the 20L this weekend and begin the process, or Start Building a New Sump! I have wanted a new sump for a while now. I found out that my local petco in the q.c.a. is starting they're dollar per gallon sale very soon! Got to start working on it this weekend either way. starting with the 20 gal will be way easier than a new sump but both are gonna happen! here's the current sump with a...filter 1.jpg filter 2.jpg npr1.jpg npr2.jpg(nonphotosynthetic) refuge or a live filter i guess. __________________ Never kick a fresh turd on a hot day! Current Tank Info: 40 breeder.

03/24/2016, 12:13 AM	#4
tedward27 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Bettendorf Iowa Posts: 63	Any ideas are welcome! __________________ Never kick a fresh turd on a hot day! Current Tank Info: 40 breeder.

03/24/2016, 04:15 AM	#5
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	I have 2 systems and both have 2 tanks. The big one is a 180g mixed reef and a 75g hexagon tank with gorgonians and they share a sump/refugium/DSB that is 8' x 2' x 18" deep.The second is a 65g shallow reef and a 22g frag tank that share a 6' x 2' x 18" sump/refugium. The big system has been running over 5 years, the smaller one about 3 years. All 4 tanks are glass, the 65g and 22g I made myself. Both sumps are acrylic. The big one was a frag tank at a LFS and they switched to glass. It makes a great sump. __________________ The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017

04/02/2016, 11:25 PM	#8
tedward27 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Bettendorf Iowa Posts: 63	Good one. I should have thought of that. Got it running but need to valve the return to the 20. __________________ Never kick a fresh turd on a hot day! Current Tank Info: 40 breeder.

04/03/2016, 09:35 AM	#9
Reef Mortician Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 80	I'm working on a similar build, a 40 breeder and 55 display fuge tied to a 20 gallon two stage sump. __________________ "They say you die twice. One time when you stop breathing and a second time, a bit later on, when somebody says your name for the last time." -Banksy Current Tank Info: 40 Breeder FOWLR, 55 gallon Display Refugium, and a 20 Long sump, DIY stand, 2 Ecotech MP 10s, Coralife 150w halide, Reef Octopus Classic Space Saver Protein Skimmer, BRS Carbon/GFO Reactor, and Eheim 1250 return

03/21/2016, 09:32 PM	#1
tedward27 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Bettendorf Iowa Posts: 63	2 tanks one sump. built around a 40b. refugium? I have a 20 long next to a 40 breeder. The 40b was recently rebuilt with no changes to the sump. so... kind of a new tank but a seasoned filter. No problems,but I would like to connect both tanks. I have decided in the long run, I will probably end up with a display refugium. Starting with a display deep dand bed(lol)... and??? Any thoughts? It will be slow going. IMG_20160321_185629.jpg IMG_20160321_215116.jpg __________________ Never kick a fresh turd on a hot day! Current Tank Info: 40 breeder.

03/22/2016, 05:38 AM	#2
toothybugs In Memoriam Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: The smallest county in Illinois Posts: 1,986	You're doing what I just finished setting up. Literally - last night Only difference is I setup a 75 and my 40B is my fuge. My system has the following loop with a split return chamber to separate two pumps: DT outflows to skimmer chamber --> dual returns run back to 1) DT and 2) to the display fuge --> fuge outflow goes to return for DT (right next to pump #1). This keeps pods and such out of your skimmer while avoiding the hassles of splitting return lines, etc and provides you with a second pump should your main one go out for any reason. I didn't do a DSB in my fuge because I'm not a fan of losing all that tank volume to just sand, but if you have a bunch of sand dwellers in your fuge (a jawfish would be a cool add), then have at it. You can also do a remote DSB if you wish.

04/02/2016, 05:02 PM	#7
Darth Vedder Sith Lord Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Saint Charles, MO Posts: 481	Is it just me or does "2 tanks one sump" make your brain think immediately of two girls one cup?" I have a 40 breeder fed from my main 120 display and sump that then overflows to a 20L Refugium then back to shared sump Works out good for me

04/03/2016, 07:10 PM	#10
tedward27 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Bettendorf Iowa Posts: 63	Cool setup. Will for sure be a good build to keep an eye on. I dealt with what i had setup already. works good. After lots of hours listening to lectures and reading I decided no dsb. I am hoping to have plants. and critters of course. working on pics tonight. __________________ Never kick a fresh turd on a hot day! Current Tank Info: 40 breeder.