Beginner trying to design a 10g sump

DragKnee · 07/11/2013, 04:19 PM

So I'm new at sumps, and I have a 10g that I want to convert into a sump for my 30g cube. (Due to space limitations, a 10g is all I can do)

I did two designs of what I am planning for the sump. They are both very similar except the last section.

I think Design #2 will probably be better so it doesn't flow over two different heights of glass right next to each other, and gives the pump more water. (aka, gives me more room for error till I get an ATO setup)

I designed it to fit the skimmer I want to get into the sump, and also designed it with the largest possible refugium in mind.

This is 98% to scale

Opinions? Comments? Concerns? Thoughts?

The heaters are 50w Neo-Therms so water height won't ever be an issue with where they will be.

My uncle mentioned to me about adding "Buffers". Is that like having glass flow over into a tight section in between 2 pieces of glass, and then flow under the last piece of glass? Would you recommend having a buffer like that setup? (And where would you on that design?)

I truly appreciate the help. I want to get the glass cut probably next week to get this thing rolling because my 30g cube is currently running on AquaClear's and that just simply sucks!

CKI · 07/11/2013, 04:20 PM

put your skimmer where your refugium would be .. a fuge that small is kinda pointless ... atleast so ive been told, so i did away with my fuge in my 30gal sump

DragKnee · 07/11/2013, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CKI

put your skimmer where your refugium would be .. a fuge that small is kinda pointless ... atleast so ive been told, so i did away with my fuge in my 30gal sump

I have a refugium in an AquaClear 70 at the moment, so, that refugium in my design is huge compared to the current setup.

CKI · 07/11/2013, 04:26 PM

good quality skimmer would benefit more than the refugium ... everyone has their own opinions ... i had a fuge in my sump, i just got rid of it after talking with some folks and decided to just put my skimmer there .. make your sump simple ... all you need is your tank and 4 pieces of plexi for baffles

DragKnee · 07/11/2013, 04:29 PM

Per another thread I made, this is the skimmer I plan on getting by what people on RC recommended me:
http://www.saltysupply.com/Sea-Side-...opping_engines

I've read that skimmers that are too powerful will actually not perform well on smaller tanks, so I don't need a large skimmer.

I'm partial to the refugium because I like a place where pods can thrive, and I have an expensive Nano-Glo LED refugium light that I don't want to go to waste (Or sell for half of what I paid for it)

Sk8r · 07/11/2013, 04:39 PM

Relative bennies of fuge v skimmer highly depend on what kind of tank: for softies and lps, skimmer should be modest, and fuge will help feed corals. Fish-only, skimmer more impt.

DragKnee · 07/11/2013, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sk8r

Relative bennies of fuge v skimmer highly depend on what kind of tank: for softies and lps, skimmer should be modest, and fuge will help feed corals. Fish-only, skimmer more impt.

It will be primarily LPS & Zoa's.

07/11/2013, 04:19 PM	#1
DragKnee Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Albany, NY Posts: 218	Beginner trying to design a 10g sump So I'm new at sumps, and I have a 10g that I want to convert into a sump for my 30g cube. (Due to space limitations, a 10g is all I can do) I did two designs of what I am planning for the sump. They are both very similar except the last section. I think Design #2 will probably be better so it doesn't flow over two different heights of glass right next to each other, and gives the pump more water. (aka, gives me more room for error till I get an ATO setup) I designed it to fit the skimmer I want to get into the sump, and also designed it with the largest possible refugium in mind. This is 98% to scale Opinions? Comments? Concerns? Thoughts? The heaters are 50w Neo-Therms so water height won't ever be an issue with where they will be. My uncle mentioned to me about adding "Buffers". Is that like having glass flow over into a tight section in between 2 pieces of glass, and then flow under the last piece of glass? Would you recommend having a buffer like that setup? (And where would you on that design?) I truly appreciate the help. I want to get the glass cut probably next week to get this thing rolling because my 30g cube is currently running on AquaClear's and that just simply sucks!

07/11/2013, 04:26 PM	#4
CKI Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Delaware Posts: 281	good quality skimmer would benefit more than the refugium ... everyone has their own opinions ... i had a fuge in my sump, i just got rid of it after talking with some folks and decided to just put my skimmer there .. make your sump simple ... all you need is your tank and 4 pieces of plexi for baffles __________________ _____________________________ 75Gal - 30 gal sump - Coralife T5's - Eshopps overflow - PSK-150-Triton Deep Blue

07/11/2013, 04:39 PM	#6
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Relative bennies of fuge v skimmer highly depend on what kind of tank: for softies and lps, skimmer should be modest, and fuge will help feed corals. Fish-only, skimmer more impt. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

07/11/2013, 04:20 PM	#2
CKI Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Delaware Posts: 281	put your skimmer where your refugium would be .. a fuge that small is kinda pointless ... atleast so ive been told, so i did away with my fuge in my 30gal sump __________________ _____________________________ 75Gal - 30 gal sump - Coralife T5's - Eshopps overflow - PSK-150-Triton Deep Blue

07/11/2013, 04:29 PM	#5
DragKnee Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Albany, NY Posts: 218	Per another thread I made, this is the skimmer I plan on getting by what people on RC recommended me: http://www.saltysupply.com/Sea-Side-...opping_engines I've read that skimmers that are too powerful will actually not perform well on smaller tanks, so I don't need a large skimmer. I'm partial to the refugium because I like a place where pods can thrive, and I have an expensive Nano-Glo LED refugium light that I don't want to go to waste (Or sell for half of what I paid for it)