[Lowej82]

So I am going to be building a sump//fuge out of a 45 gal 36" long x 18" wide x 17" tall, Anyone have pics of there build? Please share, Im open for any types of ideals//designs. I plan to house all componets in there also.......Skimmer...heat er, maybe my emp 400 filter.
I would like to have a good size fuge, most of all since I have a good size tank to start with I want to make sure it is done perfectly.
I like the look of the big tanks with the bigger schools of fish & bigger fish. I thought about adding smaller fish like gobies and such, so that I may be able to over populate a little in my DT and not have my bio system stress out, Hoping to get the same look as the big tanks with lots of fish. Atleast thats what im hoping for. as long as they have there own space, and I have plenty of LR 100+ lbs, a 4"+ DBS, some cheato n such.

So lets see how everyone else did theres.



45 gal 36" long x 18" wide x 17" tall 45 gal 36" long x 18" wide x 17" tall

[Lowej82]

~-*pics*-~???????

[Jeremy0322]

I would be interested in seeing some pics as well, i am planning on building one out of an old tank and was hoping that i could just replicate a good design that i saw.

[Lowej82]

here are a couple pics of the one I made out of a old 29 gal for my 29 gal DT.

[ckwatson]

how does the angled peace in the corner work?

[Lowej82]

Thats the area where one of the overflows goes into (house's skimmer pump) the pvc that is on top is just to make water flow into 2nd chamber. I didnt really like this setup have been debating on cutting glass out and starting over or just pitch the whole thing, that 29 was almost a free-bie

[e_baer]

i like that, it is a good idea. you can never have too many chambers stuffed with LR rubble!

[pogodzib]

I'll try to get a pic of my new, 55 gal sump tonight.

[pogodzib]

Here's some pics of the new sump that I'm getting ready to setup. The right side of the sump has a platform for my skimmer to sit on so the skimmer's outlet is just above the water level. The left side will be my refugium and has a platform with holes cut into it for my heaters, ORP and pH probes to be placed on. The middle of my sump is where my return pump will be placed and I will be adding a float valve in there for my auto top off.

[wesley6610]

Brain, nice sump. One quick question, why do you have your return pump area in between your skimmer and refugium compartment? Does that work better than having skimmer, fuge and then return?

[pogodzib]

Ideally, the refugium has a lower flow rate through it than the skimmer area and since my sump is going under a 220 gal tank, there are two overflows draining down to the sump area, one at each end of the display tank. I will probably end up splitting the drain line entering the fuge area to keep the flow rate at a minimum.

[wesley6610]

So ideally you want a slower flow rate through the fuge area?

[e_baer]

yeah. maybe only 1-200 gph (depending on size) but the sump area, will have loads of flow!

[wesley6610]

So does this lower flow through the fuge area promote more nutrient removal than putting it in a higher flow area?

[e_baer]

yes, in ways, but also, you dont want the pods to be blown to infinity. you want them to be able to stay in/on the rocks or plants or whatever you ahve in the fuge.

[wesley6610]

Okay, well this will help me in my next fuge build in the coming months. My current setup is skimmer compartment, fuge and then return. So I will reverse the last two and I should be good to go, thanks.

[Lowej82]

if you skim your water before your fuge your taking away food for those fuge critters, So i heard

[wesley6610]

I have heard that too, however I also recall someone saying that you honestly only skim 30% of the water column and the other 70% is broken up between the fuge and return pump. Its not honestly possible to skim 100% of the water coming into the sump unless you have a fast skimmer and sealed compartments.

[SECRETREEF]

i had drawn a similar setup but it did not include the skimmer in the sump. instead it was both sides refuge to keep seahorses, but it was just a dream. thank for giving me more ideas

[boombadan]

nice socks in your sump pictures john...hehe, awsome work on the sumps.

[Krazy]

Here's my acrylic sump.

simple and works well, no microbubbles made it into the display.

42x18x18



I got it from Refugiums

[e_baer]

Soooo, doesnt the fuge get loads of flow?

[Jeremy0322]

It better get loads of flow for 350 dollars....lol

[Krazy]

Originally Posted by e_baer

Soooo, doesnt the fuge get loads of flow?

surprising this design is perfect, the flow runs over the top with little disturbance to whats in the fuge.

It was $508 with free shipping

[wesley6610]

$508 isn't too bad if it will be another smaller DT for other aquarium enthusiast