Finally got around finsihing my sump/refugium! (Few pictures included)

ek9vboi · 06/22/2006, 01:58 PM

After all the research and yada yada, I finally did it. I finished it!

Here are some pictures of it:

Got ugly towards the end, lack of space and my arms and hands couldn't fit.

It looks ok, but function over fashion of course. There are a few porblems, but of course that will be fixed. Skimmer is tight to fit in, so some trimming, etc will fix it. Tank holds a little under 20g, so it can handle up to 5 gallons more incase of any incidents.

Here is the break down of the tank:
Refugium holds 7.8g
Overflow area including the baffles holds 5.8h
Return holds 5.8g as well.

I had to sacrafice some of the refugium in order to make a larger return because as well all know or should know, "the only area that drops water level would be the return.

Next thing on the list:
Make the return lines from sump/refuge to the tank

Up and coming to do:
2 part balancer
pH monitor
cycle the sand and rocks before i put them into the refugium!

Any input about it is appreciated. Thanks

T reef K · 06/22/2006, 02:10 PM

Nice deck.

Karl H · 06/22/2006, 02:36 PM

Quote:

I had to sacrafice some of the refugium in order to make a larger return because as well all know or should know, "the only area that drops water level would be the return.

Sorry, sump noob here. Can you elaborate on this statement? Thanks.

ek9vboi · 06/22/2006, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Karl H
Sorry, sump noob here. Can you elaborate on this statement? Thanks.

Ok.

More then willing to help out!

In the display tank, the return pumps up a certain amount of water in order for the water to "overflow" into the sump. Once into the sump (1st chamber) it will fill up and go through a few baffles before it enters the return chamber. From there it pumps the water back up to the tank as well as the refugium. The refugium will always be full because the water overflows from that chamber back into the return area as well. So in short, the return area can only drop in water level... thus a auto top off device would be a great addition to be added to this chamber, which I will be doing something like it once I figure out how much water I am losing due to evaporation.

Karl H · 06/22/2006, 09:03 PM

That makes sense. Thanks!

ek9vboi · 06/22/2006, 10:32 PM

No problem.

s2svetko · 06/23/2006, 04:36 AM

baffels seem a bit high. how much high does the water level run?

ek9vboi · 06/23/2006, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by s2svetko
baffels seem a bit high. how much high does the water level run?

Thats what a fe people have been telling me. Water level will be at 16" for the refugium, 15 for the overflow chamber, and 14 for the return. I have to do a live test on it tonight. I'll update later.

ek9vboi · 06/23/2006, 06:42 PM

Here are actual testing that I did to the sump/refugium. Works nicely IMO.

There seems to be a bubble issure when it goes over the 3rd baffle, which I will be looking into that and fixing. The flow overall is good, all the microbubbles look like they go back up before going into the baffles. The only thing I think I should have done better was cut the 3rd baffle going into the return area lower, like 14" instead of 15". It would have helped with the water flowing through the baffles and make prevent the water level from going anywhere higher then 15 when in use.

Here is a video of it:

thor32766 · 06/23/2006, 08:16 PM

great work

Mike.B · 06/25/2006, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by T reef K
Nice deck.

ek9vboi · 06/25/2006, 01:54 AM

lol, thanks.

I managed to get the lines mocked up and glued up. Real testing will be done tomorrow if I have enought water. That or I am going to have to use some rocks to fill up space where the water would be.

06/22/2006, 01:58 PM	#1
ek9vboi Registered Member. Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: South FL Posts: 3,027	Finally got around finsihing my sump/refugium! (Few pictures included) After all the research and yada yada, I finally did it. I finished it! Here are some pictures of it: Got ugly towards the end, lack of space and my arms and hands couldn't fit. It looks ok, but function over fashion of course. There are a few porblems, but of course that will be fixed. Skimmer is tight to fit in, so some trimming, etc will fix it. Tank holds a little under 20g, so it can handle up to 5 gallons more incase of any incidents. Here is the break down of the tank: Refugium holds 7.8g Overflow area including the baffles holds 5.8h Return holds 5.8g as well. I had to sacrafice some of the refugium in order to make a larger return because as well all know or should know, "the only area that drops water level would be the return. Next thing on the list: Make the return lines from sump/refuge to the tank Up and coming to do: 2 part balancer pH monitor cycle the sand and rocks before i put them into the refugium! Any input about it is appreciated. Thanks

06/23/2006, 08:16 PM	#10
thor32766 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Chuluota, FL Posts: 6,072	great work __________________ "Live your life so no one has to lie about who you were at your funeral" click on my red house to see my tang compound! Current Tank Info: 29 gallon in Wall!

06/22/2006, 02:10 PM	#2
T reef K Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Punta Gorda, FL Posts: 22	Nice deck.

06/22/2006, 09:03 PM	#5
Karl H Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 47	That makes sense. Thanks!

06/22/2006, 10:32 PM	#6
ek9vboi Registered Member. Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: South FL Posts: 3,027	No problem.

06/23/2006, 04:36 AM	#7
s2svetko Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 157	baffels seem a bit high. how much high does the water level run?

06/23/2006, 06:42 PM	#9
ek9vboi Registered Member. Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: South FL Posts: 3,027	Here are actual testing that I did to the sump/refugium. Works nicely IMO. There seems to be a bubble issure when it goes over the 3rd baffle, which I will be looking into that and fixing. The flow overall is good, all the microbubbles look like they go back up before going into the baffles. The only thing I think I should have done better was cut the 3rd baffle going into the return area lower, like 14" instead of 15". It would have helped with the water flowing through the baffles and make prevent the water level from going anywhere higher then 15 when in use. Here is a video of it:

06/25/2006, 01:54 AM	#12
ek9vboi Registered Member. Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: South FL Posts: 3,027	lol, thanks. I managed to get the lines mocked up and glued up. Real testing will be done tomorrow if I have enought water. That or I am going to have to use some rocks to fill up space where the water would be.