adding a fuge

[91yota]

what would be the best way to add a fuge to a non-drilled tank? ive got a 10g sitting around and would like to make it into a fuge and possibly move my hob skimmer to it inside my stand... do i need a hob overflow to do this? or what would be the best/safest way to achieve what im trying to do? ive heard horror stories about hob overflows making a huge mess but im not sure that i have a choice without drilling my tank... would it be possible to just add my macro to the display tank so it is hidden behind the rock work and keep it trimmed? i like the idea of a seperate fuge to grow pods in, hang my skimmer on, etc..., just not sure the best way to do it

thanks!

[mg426]

I have used a overflow/ siphon for three years. never had a problem. U tube type. I was scared to drill my tank, but it dont seem to be the big mystery that it once seemed. Either way will work.

[jerehmy]

I just did the same thing last month. I bought a CPR overflowbox works great http://www.wetdryfilter.com/Hang-on%20Prefilters.htm

and then I had the glass cut and drilled so I could make baffles and a fuge with a overflow on the fuge.

I also put my Aqua C Remora HOB skimmer and heater down there works aswome

Also put a SCWD into the plumming while I was in there

[91yota]

how big of a fuge is needed for a 40g? i was thinking about using the whole 10g for a fuge... should the skimmer be in a seperate section than the macro etc? ive read post after post about plumbing, etc, looked at countless pictures and am having a hard time wrapping my head around the overall design... i assume in the pic, the skimmer is in the left "section"? what are the 2 dividers between that section and the center of the stand for? how does water get into/out of the fuge in that setup? and what are the pipes in the center section for?

i have a red sea prism hob skimmer that is brand new and really dont want to get rid of... what kind of pump/plumbing do i need to return the water to my display?

sorry for all the "dumb" questions... i guess if you never ask, you never know

thanks for all the help so far!

[jerehmy]

Heres the blueprints that I made for my 20L sump



The excess flow and the fuge feed both have ball valves to adjust the flow. I have made the fuge flow just enough to keep the water surface moving and already have copepods after 1 mo. Right now the excess flow on mine is closed but I open it all the way when I feed, this reduces the flow in the tank drasticly.

You may not need all the baffles and stuff if its just a fuge, mine is set up to act as a sump/fuge with the fuge on the far right

The baffles on the left are bubble traps, they help to stop bubbles from entering the return section ( works too)

The skimmer is on the left but its a HOB Remora ( works great!)

Let me know if I can help anymore

P.S. heres a link that really helped me understand all the technical junk http://www.melevsreef.com/what_sump.html

[91yota]

let me make sure i have this straight now... in this pic, the red arrows are my understanding of the direction of the water flow and the green lines are where valves are needed to fine tune the flow... what did you do as far as the return pipe where it dumps into your display tank? and i assume you need 2- 1/8" holes in the return pipe to break the siphon? let me know if im wrong so far... thanks!!!

[91yota]

for equipment needs, how does this sound?

CPR CS50 Overflow Box- 300GPH
Danner Mag-Drive Supreme 7 700 GPH Water Pump extra flow diverted with valves and stronger pump to prolong life and overpower ~4' head
Hang-On Acrylic Mount with Filter Sock
anything else equipment wise that i should need other than plumbing/valves and the actual sump tank?

[jerehmy]

looks good- youre right on!

I actually "teed" the returns with a SCWD and have two outlets that switch every 7 seconds
the red arrows are the retuns and the yellow is the CPR CS 90 overflow

I have a similar acrylic sock mount, you can go with any style really just try and shoot for a 100 micron bag ( works best for microbubbles)

Try and consider how much space the skimmer will take before you buy a filter sock holder ( both may not fit on the left but they should )


Now if you get a CPR CS 50 make sure the pump will not produce over 300GPH with the head you will have or just "tee" the return line and divert the flow untill its perfect


In theory if you reduce the flow of the return pump you will reduce the flow in the overflow box, as long as you don't exceed the rated GPH of the overflow with the return pump you will be ok. If you wanta CS50 then a mag 7 @ 5' will be about 300 so they are a perfect match.

If you plan on feeding the fuge with the return then you may want a little bigger pump because that will reduce the flow back to the tank.

Let me know if I make sense

Good Luck

[91yota]

makes sense to me... thanks a ton for the help so far!!!

what is a scwd? and how do you alternate your returns?

[jerehmy]

a SCWD is a Switching Current Wave Device
http://www.3iqventures.com/

clicky on the link to SCWD web sit they even have a video!

[91yota]

AWESOME... THANKS!!!

[littlemannin]

I thank you too. I'm starting the same project and this thread answered a lot of questions Thanks jerehmy for the info and thanks 91yota for asking the question!

[jerehmy]

anytime--

aksing and answering ?'s is how we all learn

[HornetMech242]

With the CPR over flows be sure to get the aqualifter pump and a prefilter. You will attach that to the connector on the top of the overflow box. This will be used to start the initial syphon and restart it in the event of power outages.

Chris

[jerehmy]

all the CPr overflow come with a pre filter but a little more foam on the sides will help with the niose ( although pretty queit anyways )

An aqualifter is the best for the CPR but you can use a powerhead also if you want more flow in the tank