DIY Separate sump & refuge

jonellefl6 · 02/06/2010, 11:36 AM

Although not new to the hobby, we are trying to start our first true reef. We currently keep a 55gal in our dining area and a 30gal in our bedroom (both salt). We have come into limitations in what can be housed with what, etc and wanted to expand further. We purchased a 120 gal. that was in need of lots of TLC. We have almost finished the stand (painting & repairs), the tank cleaning & silicone, bought a skimmer (Coralife Super Skimmer 125), etc. We are hoping to try our hand at some corals, anemones, etc. other than our typical mushrooms which we have in both the other tanks.

We have been researching (and pricing) sumps & refuges and understand them both to a good degree. Would like to have them separate (if that is a reasonable idea) for space and accessibility reasons. Does anyone have a pic of this setup plumbed and complete? We want to DIY.

Can anyone please give advice!

Madjack · 02/06/2010, 02:48 PM

Couple Questions:
Is the 120 replacing the 55 or 30 gallon tanks?
Do you want the sump and fuge in the 120 stand?
What are the interior dimensions of the stand for the 120?
Do you have a RO/DI set up?
What pumps do you currently have?

I would definitely suggest looking at Melev's Reef for inspiration and idea's.

http://www.melevsreef.com/acrylics/s...p_model_i.html

das75 · 02/06/2010, 05:09 PM

I've got a separate fuge (a 20g) sitting a little higher and to the side of my 75g sump. Works for me as in the basement but if having a worthwhile size, could see that layout being tight in a stand.

Here's a thought for a combined fuge/sump (Dez's old setup fr Canreef)

RTMA · 02/06/2010, 09:29 PM

Here is mine.

I moved the main return from the fuge to rest on the middle baffle so the water returning has to go through the bubble trap. In the picture above it empties into the chaeto section, which caused bubbles in the display. The second drain on fuge is the emergency and 1/2" higher than the main. This one drains in the return section below.

jonellefl6 · 02/07/2010, 11:12 AM

Is the 120 replacing the 55 or 30 gallon tanks?
the 55 only temporarily - Our plan is to move everything from the 55 to the 120. make repairs on 55 (new silicone, paint, etc.) and then set it back again.

Do you want the sump and fuge in the 120 stand?
yes

What are the interior dimensions of the stand for the 120?
20.5 x 20.5 x 14.5

Do you have a RO/DI set up?
RO yes / DI no

What pumps do you currently have?
one came included with the tank. it's a Grudnfos UP-42 Silent pump made by QuietOne. We can not find this exact model online. It does work however we may still purchase one that better fits our needs if necessary.

Yesterday we constructed & siliconed an acrylic box that will fit underneath. We may try to construct off the last picture on this thread. Like the idea of the first photo but need to try our hand at a more "normal" sump/refuge setup before going so far as to display the fuge. Will definitely check out Dez's old setup if possible! Thanks guys

slief · 02/07/2010, 02:44 PM

I am in the process of doing just what you are asking about. Due to space limitations under my tank, my new sump setup needs to be built as 2 seperate units in order to accomplish what I have in mind. It will be replacing a large custom made wetdry sump.

My setup will be about 170G between the sump and fuge.

The main sump will have 4 filter socks that will be fed from the tanks overflow. It will hold a bunch of live rock and my alpha 300 cone skimmer. Its dimensions are 40" x30" x 18" tall. It will flow into the second sump via a pair of 2" pipes. The second sump will be a dedicated refugium with about 100 pounds of mud to start, some live rock and a bunch of chaeto as well as a handful of mangroves. It measures 36x30x18.

This is the final design. They are being built now and will be done end of next week. I spent a lot of time refining the design and masking things out on my floor to scale so I can get a better feel for what I would be dealing with and having to maintain. Having scaled out allowed me to figure out that my first designs had issues that made it difficult to access or replace my socks. It also helped me come up with better desing ideas in my fuge which will result in a much better flow pattern.

Once this is done, I will likely add another tank to the sump system that can double as a plant holder and quarantine tank as well as a place for my ato to dump into.

02/06/2010, 11:36 AM	#1
jonellefl6 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Bryan, TX Posts: 2	DIY Separate sump & refuge Although not new to the hobby, we are trying to start our first true reef. We currently keep a 55gal in our dining area and a 30gal in our bedroom (both salt). We have come into limitations in what can be housed with what, etc and wanted to expand further. We purchased a 120 gal. that was in need of lots of TLC. We have almost finished the stand (painting & repairs), the tank cleaning & silicone, bought a skimmer (Coralife Super Skimmer 125), etc. We are hoping to try our hand at some corals, anemones, etc. other than our typical mushrooms which we have in both the other tanks. We have been researching (and pricing) sumps & refuges and understand them both to a good degree. Would like to have them separate (if that is a reasonable idea) for space and accessibility reasons. Does anyone have a pic of this setup plumbed and complete? We want to DIY. Can anyone please give advice! __________________ Jonelle Happiness resides not in possessions and not in gold; the feeling of happiness dwells in the soul and my aquarium

02/06/2010, 09:29 PM	#4
RTMA DIY Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Norwalk Posts: 1,164	Here is mine. I moved the main return from the fuge to rest on the middle baffle so the water returning has to go through the bubble trap. In the picture above it empties into the chaeto section, which caused bubbles in the display. The second drain on fuge is the emergency and 1/2" higher than the main. This one drains in the return section below. __________________ Joe Current Tank Info: SPS Dominated In wall 180 (4x3) \| SRO XP2000 EXT \| Water Blaster powered Seaswirl \| MP40 & Tunze Flow \| Geisemann Matrix II Dimtec \| RKE Managed

02/07/2010, 11:12 AM	#5
jonellefl6 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Bryan, TX Posts: 2	Is the 120 replacing the 55 or 30 gallon tanks? the 55 only temporarily - Our plan is to move everything from the 55 to the 120. make repairs on 55 (new silicone, paint, etc.) and then set it back again. Do you want the sump and fuge in the 120 stand? yes What are the interior dimensions of the stand for the 120? 20.5 x 20.5 x 14.5 Do you have a RO/DI set up? RO yes / DI no What pumps do you currently have? one came included with the tank. it's a Grudnfos UP-42 Silent pump made by QuietOne. We can not find this exact model online. It does work however we may still purchase one that better fits our needs if necessary. Yesterday we constructed & siliconed an acrylic box that will fit underneath. We may try to construct off the last picture on this thread. Like the idea of the first photo but need to try our hand at a more "normal" sump/refuge setup before going so far as to display the fuge. Will definitely check out Dez's old setup if possible! Thanks guys __________________ Jonelle Happiness resides not in possessions and not in gold; the feeling of happiness dwells in the soul and my aquarium

02/07/2010, 02:44 PM	#6
slief RC Sponsor Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 14,173	I am in the process of doing just what you are asking about. Due to space limitations under my tank, my new sump setup needs to be built as 2 seperate units in order to accomplish what I have in mind. It will be replacing a large custom made wetdry sump. My setup will be about 170G between the sump and fuge. The main sump will have 4 filter socks that will be fed from the tanks overflow. It will hold a bunch of live rock and my alpha 300 cone skimmer. Its dimensions are 40" x30" x 18" tall. It will flow into the second sump via a pair of 2" pipes. The second sump will be a dedicated refugium with about 100 pounds of mud to start, some live rock and a bunch of chaeto as well as a handful of mangroves. It measures 36x30x18. This is the final design. They are being built now and will be done end of next week. I spent a lot of time refining the design and masking things out on my floor to scale so I can get a better feel for what I would be dealing with and having to maintain. Having scaled out allowed me to figure out that my first designs had issues that made it difficult to access or replace my socks. It also helped me come up with better desing ideas in my fuge which will result in a much better flow pattern. Once this is done, I will likely add another tank to the sump system that can double as a plant holder and quarantine tank as well as a place for my ato to dump into. __________________ Director Customer Support Royal Exclusiv USA For All Royal Exclusiv & Bubble King questions please refer to our Sponsor forum: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=745 Current Tank Info: 480G display mixed reef, 90G sump, 90G refugium, 60G display refugium. Check out my build thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1783476

02/06/2010, 02:48 PM	#2
Madjack Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 58	Couple Questions: Is the 120 replacing the 55 or 30 gallon tanks? Do you want the sump and fuge in the 120 stand? What are the interior dimensions of the stand for the 120? Do you have a RO/DI set up? What pumps do you currently have? I would definitely suggest looking at Melev's Reef for inspiration and idea's. http://www.melevsreef.com/acrylics/s...p_model_i.html

02/06/2010, 05:09 PM	#3
das75 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmonton AB Posts: 2,269	I've got a separate fuge (a 20g) sitting a little higher and to the side of my 75g sump. Works for me as in the basement but if having a worthwhile size, could see that layout being tight in a stand. Here's a thought for a combined fuge/sump (Dez's old setup fr Canreef)