Sump input needed.

SquidHC · 10/10/2010, 12:42 AM

Not being happy with my current sump or stand, I have decided to build a new set-up. I had the idea of having two sumps, one as a refugium, and one for equipment. What do you think of this concept? Pros/cons, concerns, ideas, anything you have to say. Thanks in advance.

Also, keep in mind that I just did this to show the basic idea. Ignore the actual layout of the inside of the sump, because it's by no means the end product. The display tanks overflow would drain into the refugium. The refugiums overflow would drain into the sump. So on.

Dustin1300 · 10/10/2010, 06:50 AM

Looks good. Where will the drains go and will the returns be at?

jeff@zina.com · 10/10/2010, 07:24 AM

I do it, works fine. In my case I supply the fuge off the return pump and let gravity drop it back in the sump, but otherwise similar to yours.

Jeff

Palting · 10/10/2010, 07:43 AM

I have a simillar set-up. with a refugium separate from the sump. It is different from your plan, in that the flow to and from the refugium is also separate from the sump flow. In this way, the flow to the equipment can and is much faster than the flow to the refugium. For your setup, you can do this by T-ing off the drains and then create a separate return section. So, one drain goes a little slower to the refugium, all the rest of the drain to the sump, then both drain to the return section and then back up the DT.

The other thing I see with stacking them up is that most skimmers are tall. This can mean that your refugium section may not be tall enough, or that your DT will be too high off the ground. A 6" tall refugium seems short.

xbehmerx · 10/10/2010, 08:55 AM

Great Idea!

SquidHC · 10/10/2010, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Palting

The other thing I see with stacking them up is that most skimmers are tall. This can mean that your refugium section may not be tall enough, or that your DT will be too high off the ground. A 6" tall refugium seems short.

Yeah space for all is definetly my biggest concern. I had planned on the skimmer being down below in the sump area, not in the refugium. Again, final dimensions aren't set. Everything is adjustable. I have yet to select a skimmer for the set up, and I will take it's height into consideration in the build.

Palting · 10/10/2010, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SquidHC

Yeah space for all is definetly my biggest concern. I had planned on the skimmer being down below in the sump area, not in the refugium. Again, final dimensions aren't set. Everything is adjustable. I have yet to select a skimmer for the set up, and I will take it's height into consideration in the build.

What I meant was, you have to set the lower sump at a height to accomodate the skimmer. That leaves little room for the refugium up above. A 6 " tall refugium, as a good refugium, is too short, IMO.

28" X 20" is a little hard to work with. How big is the tank, anyway? Maybe a good excuse to upgrade?

.

m-rass · 10/10/2010, 12:37 PM

Looks good I like the idea! I agree, make the refugium taller, maybe same height as the sump at least. Hope you post pics when its complete!

Dustin1300 · 10/10/2010, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Palting

I have a simillar set-up. with a refugium separate from the sump. It is different from your plan, in that the flow to and from the refugium is also separate from the sump flow. In this way, the flow to the equipment can and is much faster than the flow to the refugium. For your setup, you can do this by T-ing off the drains and then create a separate return section. So, one drain goes a little slower to the refugium, all the rest of the drain to the sump, then both drain to the return section and then back up the DT.

The other thing I see with stacking them up is that most skimmers are tall. This can mean that your refugium section may not be tall enough, or that your DT will be too high off the ground. A 6" tall refugium seems short.

Make sure you do as Palting said...T-off the drain so the fuge has less flow. I'd love to have a set up like this once I have the room to do so. Until then....My 20L sump will have to do. Letting gravity do the work and having one main pump will be how I configure it...

10/10/2010, 12:42 AM	#1
SquidHC Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Portland, Oregon, USA Posts: 840	Sump input needed. Not being happy with my current sump or stand, I have decided to build a new set-up. I had the idea of having two sumps, one as a refugium, and one for equipment. What do you think of this concept? Pros/cons, concerns, ideas, anything you have to say. Thanks in advance. Also, keep in mind that I just did this to show the basic idea. Ignore the actual layout of the inside of the sump, because it's by no means the end product. The display tanks overflow would drain into the refugium. The refugiums overflow would drain into the sump. So on. __________________ We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams. Current Tank Info: 30x30 cube under construction!

10/10/2010, 07:43 AM	#4
Palting Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,912	I have a simillar set-up. with a refugium separate from the sump. It is different from your plan, in that the flow to and from the refugium is also separate from the sump flow. In this way, the flow to the equipment can and is much faster than the flow to the refugium. For your setup, you can do this by T-ing off the drains and then create a separate return section. So, one drain goes a little slower to the refugium, all the rest of the drain to the sump, then both drain to the return section and then back up the DT. The other thing I see with stacking them up is that most skimmers are tall. This can mean that your refugium section may not be tall enough, or that your DT will be too high off the ground. A 6" tall refugium seems short. __________________ Anything I post is just an opinion. One of many in this hobby. Believe and follow at your own risk of rapid and complete annihilation of all life in your tank :) Current Tank Info: Incept 3/2010, 150 RR, 50g sump, 20g fuge, 150w 15K MH x3, T5 actinics x8, moonlight LED x6, 1400gph return, Koralia 1400 x4, 300 g skimmer, 4 tangs, 2 mandarins, 2 perc, 6 line, 3 cardinals, 2 firefish, SPS, LPS, zoas, palys, shrooms, clam

10/10/2010, 08:55 AM	#5
xbehmerx Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Normal, Illinois Posts: 112	Great Idea! __________________ Nano-Cube DX 12G 15lbs LR, 10lbs LS 1 Purple Dottyback 6 Astrea Snails

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10/10/2010, 06:50 AM	#2
Dustin1300 Reefaholic Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Carmel, IN Posts: 5,135	Looks good. Where will the drains go and will the returns be at?

10/10/2010, 07:24 AM	#3
jeff@zina.com Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 3,345	I do it, works fine. In my case I supply the fuge off the return pump and let gravity drop it back in the sump, but otherwise similar to yours. Jeff

10/10/2010, 12:37 PM	#8
m-rass Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Aurora, CO Posts: 50	Looks good I like the idea! I agree, make the refugium taller, maybe same height as the sump at least. Hope you post pics when its complete!