Would this sump design work?

[tastingSalty]

My tank is only a 12g and I was thinking that even though the fuge compartment is small, it would work.

I'm planning on buying a large skimmer just so that I don't have to buy a new one once I plan on upgrading to a larger tank.

[tastingSalty]

The sump is only a 10g tank

[Toddrtrex]

For a 10 gallon sump, I would actually skip the fuge section. The bubble trap needs to be bigger/wider. With only a total of one inch for the whole thing I would suspect that you will get micro-bubbles. I would prefer one inch for each baffle.

So that would eat up an inch of your fuge, I would take that extra space and use it for your return section, that way you will have more room/water in there. That way you won't have to top off as much to stop the pump from running dry.

I have a 10 gallon sump for my 33 cube, I just have a skimmer section, baffles and the return section, the last baffle (( before the return pump )) is held in place with black silicone, so it is harder to see --- I ran out of clear.

[tastingSalty]

I like the set up. I think I'll take your advice, as I was thinking that the tank was getting a little cramped. For your aquarium, do you not feel that a refugium is necessary?

[pmcg]

With only a 3 inch return section your evaporation is going to dramatically affect the level. What I did was go half acrylic half egg crate on the last baffle so the evaporation was not so quick. I have read that the bubble traps need to be at least 1 inch apart to be effective.

[imcosmokramer]

another thing you could do, is set up another small container/tank and use it as a fuge. Just place it higher than the sump, T off from the return, and then have the refugium gravity feed back into the sump. Your refugium can really be any container. I think refugiums are helpful,

[Toddrtrex]

Originally posted by tastingSalty
I like the set up. I think I'll take your advice, as I was thinking that the tank was getting a little cramped. For your aquarium, do you not feel that a refugium is necessary?

For that small of a tank, a fuge isn't necessary. Sure it would be nice, but with a 10 gallon sump and that sized skimmer, it just won't work -- I tried to get one into mine, but there just wasn't enough room.

[tastingSalty]

Originally posted by pmcg
With only a 3 inch return section your evaporation is going to dramatically affect the level. What I did was go half acrylic half egg crate on the last baffle so the evaporation was not so quick. I have read that the bubble traps need to be at least 1 inch apart to be effective.

What is the purpose of the egg crate? Why not just make the acrylic half tall and leave it?

[tastingSalty]

How does this look guys?



Also, what kind of return pump would be good for this application?

[Justin1989]

your main tank is twelve gallons? how high is the top of the tank from where the pump would be?

a mag drive 1.9 is 135gph would give you around a 11x turnover rate. For that small of a tank I would believe that would be sufficient. others will have to correct me.

[tastingSalty]

It will be about a 5' distance. So I should be looking at the turnover rate? makes sense . . .

[Toddrtrex]

What type of overflow are you going to use?

[tastingSalty]

I will be using a cpr cs50 overflow box.

[Toddrtrex]

Personally not a fan of those, but have to make sure that your return pump isn't too much for it, and on the other hand, isn't so slow that the bubbles collect too much.

I prefer using powerhead for flow, instead of the return pump --- less micro-bubbles

[tastingSalty]

I'm not looking to get too crazy with the flow. I just want a pump that will suffice for a good sump flow rate.

todd, why aren't you a fan of the cpr's, just out of curiosity?

[Toddrtrex]

The reason I don't like them is because they require an additional pump (( aqualifter )) to work correctly. Too many things that could go wrong.

I like the "U-tube" overflows better, doesn't need any outside pump to work correctly. I have a LifeReef one on my 75, and it has been running for 7 years and never lost its siphon --- excluding me doing it on purpose.

[tastingSalty]

could you post a link to a product description page for your lifereef? I want to check it out.

Thanks.

[Justin1989]

Eshopps overflows are nice; and lifereefs are also. More expensive though. The turnove rate is usually around 20x for salt water aquariums. However yours is only 12 gallons, and I couldnt see you using a bigger pump. I think that estimate should be used for larger tanks.

[Justin1989]

Originally posted by tastingSalty
could you post a link to a product description page for your lifereef? I want to check it out.

Thanks.

http://www.lifereef.com/siphon.html

[Toddrtrex]

Originally posted by tastingSalty
could you post a link to a product description page for your lifereef? I want to check it out.

Thanks.

http://www.lifereef.com/frame.html

On the left hand side there will be a link to nano prefilter box.

[tastingSalty]

thanks guys. I think I might look into an eshopps one. it's affordable and sounds like it is efficient.

[pmcg]

Originally posted by tastingSalty
How does this look guys?



Also, what kind of return pump would be good for this application?

Sorry I use the eggcrate to stop my chaeto from floating over and to keep any fish that are being punished away from the return. If you are not going to have the fuge then your right the eggcrate is useless

[pmcg]

also I would start the bubble trap as close to the skimmer as possible. The bigger return area the better

[CSAreefer]

Originally posted by tastingSalty
How does this look guys?



Also, what kind of return pump would be good for this application?

in this diagram ditch the eggcrate it wont do anything and it would prolly need to be on the inside baffle to hold any macro back if you were making a fuge section otherwise it will all just collect in your bubble trap with no real good way to get it out.

i like to make my outside bubble trap baffle a little higher too just to make sure they dont make there way into the pump as long as its lower than the inside baffle you should be fine.

otherwise that design should work fine there just isnt much room for a fuge in a 10g tank with that big of a skimmer

[tastingSalty]

Thanks for your help guys. I was thinking that the egg crate was just to keep macroalgae out, but wasn't sure.


yeah, I picked the 10g tank up from my buddy for free, so I'm kinda stuck with it (Don't want to buy a new one ). I'm in the works of designing a separate fuge that will sit on top of the sump like cosmo suggested:

Originally posted by imcosmokramer
another thing you could do, is set up another small container/tank and use it as a fuge. Just place it higher than the sump, T off from the return, and then have the refugium gravity feed back into the sump. Your refugium can really be any container. I think refugiums are helpful,

Hopefully all goes well!