[newguy420]

Hello all. I have undertaken the task of building my own sump. I got a used 30 gallon for my 75 gallon tank. My question is on the bubbe trap. I have seen it done side to side and I have seen it up and down. I'd like to do side to side. Anyone have any ideas or opinions? I will attach some basic ideas of my sump design. Please give advice and opinions. Thanks

[pogodzib]

Have you checked out Melev's site? Melevsreef.com | Acrylic Sumps & Refugiums

That is the first place I'd look at for building and laying out sump design. It is a very good site with many nice sump layouts. Once your done looking at his site, let me know if you have any farther questions.

[newguy420]

Thats where I got the idea for the refugium to sit in the upper corner to make more room for the retun area. I'm told it is the best thing to maximize the return area.

[pogodzib]

A larger return area help give your sump more room for error if your power went out or you sump starts to run dry through lake of top offs or a failure of your ATO system. Having a larger refugium area give you more space for your macroalgae to grow. I prefer having a small return area and to maximize my refugium area. IMO, one should maximize the return area if you have a reliable ATO system and to have your return area and refugium areas closer to the same size if you do manual top offs.

[newguy420]

i don't have an ato however i did take you advice and increase the refugium size. I kind of had that feeling before but I read someowher that the bigger return volume is better.

[guamboy]

does the skimmer go in the regfigum ??

[jimw369]

Originally Posted by guamboy

does the skimmer go in the regfigum ??

No. Best place is where water from the tank enters the sump.

[guamboy]

do you guys know how to build a Durso Standpipe and how much water is suppose to be in my over flow box chamber