sump/fuge design critique - Page 2

bues0022 · 05/11/2007, 10:16 PM

I'm trying to figure out more of the specifics now, and I'm running into some serious difficulty because of my limited space. Here's a 3D rendering of the size I have available to me:

This is a view from the back side, so the fuge is on the right, skimmer in the middle, and return on the left. I'm planning right now on a Euro Reef RS80 because I found one locally for a really good price. The problem is that this seems to eat up a very large area of my sump. Should I maybe look for a skimmer with a smaller profile? A HOB style would fit in the extra room I have on the side, but how is their performance compared to ER? This box I drew is the largest that will fit through the opening to my stand. I still have almost 7 inches once I get this in and slid to one side. Does anyone have any ideas on how to squeeze any extra room out of this design so I can plumb in the QT tank? What if I built a false floor from 3/4" plywood to my stand extending out the back a little bit. I could take advantage of the depth maybe for more volume? This may be a bad idea though. hmmm. I think I have it down conceptually, but when it comes to specifics I'm in the dark because I've never done this before.

should I add a place for a carbon bag? if so where?

Sorry to bore people with my constant questions about my sump design, but I really want to do it right the first time, so help from those who've been there is greatly appreciated!

elegance coral · 05/12/2007, 06:21 AM

Why are there 3 walls between the refuge and the skimmer? Wouldn't one wall do the same thing?

bues0022 · 05/12/2007, 07:51 AM

It's hard to see, but it's a bubble trap. The middle wall is raised off the bottom. Do I even need a bubble trap after the fuge?

elegance coral · 05/12/2007, 08:47 AM

In my system I ran my overflow into the top of a 4" pvc pipe and put holes in the top connecter. The water then drains out the bottom of the pipe through a 1.5 inch pipe. I have a ball valve near the end of the pipe where it enters the sump. With this valve I can adjust the level of water inside the 4" pvc pipe. Any air that gets sucked into the overflow is released through the holes in the top of the 4" pipe. Nothing but water makes it to my sump. No air bubbles.

bues0022 · 05/12/2007, 09:45 AM

That's a pretty good idea! I think I may use that too. Maybe I'm overly concerned about bubbles from reading other people's posts about problems they have. I know I'll need a bubble trap after the skimmer, but maybe I won't need one after the fuge if the return pump is a long ways away.

bues0022 · 05/13/2007, 04:25 PM

After thinking alot about the design and my space restrictions, I think I'm going to try to talk my fiance into letting me have one of the 4 compartments outside the tank. She wanted everything housed inside, but I could build an enclosed (open back) stand to house one of the compartments I have in my drawings. Therefore, one of them has an opportunity to be significantly larger than the others. Which one should I locate remotely? I was thinking the fuge and just get a cheap rubbermaid container or something like that, drilled - one outlet low for inlet, one higher for outlet (gravity down to the return). Thoughts?

05/11/2007, 10:16 PM	#26
bues0022 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 2,230	I'm trying to figure out more of the specifics now, and I'm running into some serious difficulty because of my limited space. Here's a 3D rendering of the size I have available to me: This is a view from the back side, so the fuge is on the right, skimmer in the middle, and return on the left. I'm planning right now on a Euro Reef RS80 because I found one locally for a really good price. The problem is that this seems to eat up a very large area of my sump. Should I maybe look for a skimmer with a smaller profile? A HOB style would fit in the extra room I have on the side, but how is their performance compared to ER? This box I drew is the largest that will fit through the opening to my stand. I still have almost 7 inches once I get this in and slid to one side. Does anyone have any ideas on how to squeeze any extra room out of this design so I can plumb in the QT tank? What if I built a false floor from 3/4" plywood to my stand extending out the back a little bit. I could take advantage of the depth maybe for more volume? This may be a bad idea though. hmmm. I think I have it down conceptually, but when it comes to specifics I'm in the dark because I've never done this before. should I add a place for a carbon bag? if so where? Sorry to bore people with my constant questions about my sump design, but I really want to do it right the first time, so help from those who've been there is greatly appreciated! Last edited by bues0022; 05/11/2007 at 10:36 PM.

05/12/2007, 06:21 AM	#27
elegance coral They call me EC Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: central Florida Posts: 6,208	Why are there 3 walls between the refuge and the skimmer? Wouldn't one wall do the same thing? __________________ "Most of the failures with marine aquaria are due to lack of knowledge of the biological processes that occur in the aquarium." Martin A. Moe, Jr. "A scientist seeks the truth, wherever that may lead. A believer already knows the truth, and cannot be swayed no matter how compelling the evidence." Current Tank Info: I'm trying to see how many tanks will fit in my house before the wife loses it.

05/12/2007, 08:47 AM	#29
elegance coral They call me EC Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: central Florida Posts: 6,208	In my system I ran my overflow into the top of a 4" pvc pipe and put holes in the top connecter. The water then drains out the bottom of the pipe through a 1.5 inch pipe. I have a ball valve near the end of the pipe where it enters the sump. With this valve I can adjust the level of water inside the 4" pvc pipe. Any air that gets sucked into the overflow is released through the holes in the top of the 4" pipe. Nothing but water makes it to my sump. No air bubbles. __________________ "Most of the failures with marine aquaria are due to lack of knowledge of the biological processes that occur in the aquarium." Martin A. Moe, Jr. "A scientist seeks the truth, wherever that may lead. A believer already knows the truth, and cannot be swayed no matter how compelling the evidence." Current Tank Info: I'm trying to see how many tanks will fit in my house before the wife loses it.

05/12/2007, 07:51 AM	#28
bues0022 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 2,230	It's hard to see, but it's a bubble trap. The middle wall is raised off the bottom. Do I even need a bubble trap after the fuge?

05/12/2007, 09:45 AM	#30
bues0022 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 2,230	That's a pretty good idea! I think I may use that too. Maybe I'm overly concerned about bubbles from reading other people's posts about problems they have. I know I'll need a bubble trap after the skimmer, but maybe I won't need one after the fuge if the return pump is a long ways away.

05/13/2007, 04:25 PM	#31
bues0022 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 2,230	After thinking alot about the design and my space restrictions, I think I'm going to try to talk my fiance into letting me have one of the 4 compartments outside the tank. She wanted everything housed inside, but I could build an enclosed (open back) stand to house one of the compartments I have in my drawings. Therefore, one of them has an opportunity to be significantly larger than the others. Which one should I locate remotely? I was thinking the fuge and just get a cheap rubbermaid container or something like that, drilled - one outlet low for inlet, one higher for outlet (gravity down to the return). Thoughts?