[Krazy]

I'm going to use my Sump and Refugium as an example for some of the newer people, that want to DIY, and try to explain a little about how I did it..

First picture we'll start with is an overall view of the sump/refugium and the equipment used in the sump :



List of equipment used currently in my sump and under the tank area:

Floodlight for refugium
Powerhead 802 in sump area for refugium
350 watt Titanium won-bros heater, (long probe in front of sump)
One maxi-jet in the sump area for the phosban (carbon) reactor.
One maxi-jet in the clear 5 gallon pail for my auto (fresh ro/di water) top off unit.
ASM g3 skimmer with sedra 5000 pump
Mag-Drive 9.5 return pump (black sponge on the right)

Left side picture :



In this picture you get an idea of the way I ran my drain line down into a mini vat of rubble rock, then my down, up, down baffle system also holding rubble rock which in turn works as a natural filter and also a way to break the micro bubbles down as its passes through the baffles. My DIY refugium sets atop the sump due to limited space, it is powered by the powerhead 802, which gravity drains back into the sump next to the return pump, The refugium has a few pieces of medium size rubble, 2inchs of mixed sand, and cheato macro algae, Excellent to maintain a contant PH, a safe and plentiful breeding ground for pods and other critters, and also nutrient export. I use an old phosban reactor and maxi-jet pump to run carbon which kills odors, and polishes the water crystal clear (I change my carbon every 2 weeks now). Also a glimpse of my protein skimmer which removes all of the "junk" the other equipment doesnt from the water, You should always try get the biggest and best protein skimmer you can fit, the bigger the better IMO.

Right side picture :



This picture shows my auto top off's controller (clear box above clear pail) which controls the top off level sensor (blue piece in sump), when the water in the sump gets below the level I set, the senor then tells the controller to turn on the maxi jet in the fresh water top off pail, That will pump fresh water into the tank maintaing a constant correct level in the tank, no salinty flucuations. Also shown is the mag 9 return pump with return line back up to the display tank, I also run a clear check off valve in the return line to have a second means of flood protection should the power go out, water cant back flush into the sump. I've set up all outputs to exit next to the return pump, clean water from the skimmer, and clean water (and some pods) from the refugium.


Thats it for now, I think I covered most of it.

Feel free to ask questions, I made this thread to help people learn about how having a sump and refugium work, the equipment used, and what the equipment does... Some of the benefits are a safe haven for pods, natural filtration, and of course a place to hide all of that equipment.

I really hope this helps some of the guys/gals out there.

[ry77]

great write-up!

[jvharding]

New Skimmer looks great under there! Collecting well I see. I have to admit I am jealous because I wish I had auto top off system! Great post and I enjoyed your blog post as well. Or was that the montly magazine thing? It was a good read thanks for taking the time to put it together.

[darkwolf29a]

Firstly, very cool writeup. Thanks much for it.

I'm trying to determine what should, and shouldn't be, in my sump. With a 55 gallon display tank, I'm using a 20 gallon AGA tank as the sump. I haven't given any thought to a fuge, or carbon. I thought that rubble took care of that.

I'm in process of building a skimmer, so (hopefully) that part is covered.

So...I guess, for now, my questions are 2:

1) Do I need to worry about the carbon reactor?
2) Do I need a refugeium?

Both of these questions will require an addition to my plan, but I would rather add them now, than later.

Thanks

[Krazy]

I was hoping this would be appericated

I say yes you need a refugium, its a means of nutrient export and the best added benefit on top of that is a safe haven / breeding ground for the pods. Carbon is something I preach because I've had good results with it, it cleans/clears the water, removes odors and also breaks down the chemical warfare that corals sometimes do in a mixed reef such as mine... You have to be religious with changing it every 2-3 weeks though... I use the phosban reactor only because I can fit a solid 4-5 cups full in there... I used to use a simple HOB filter and run a bag of carbon in that... You dont need the reactor to run the carbon, its just easier for me in my setup... You can simply hang a bag of it in a high flow area in your sump. It works best though when water is pushed through it such as with the reactor...

[NATIVEVAMAN]

I really like your idea of the fuge on top of the sump. It will allow for it to be gravity fed with slow flow, say about 200 to 300 gallons per day(I am only tunning a 65 gallon tank). With a 15 to 20 gallon fuge and a 30 gallon sump I hope to get my water volume up to around 100 gallons.Nice job on the write up.

[map95003]

Perfect timing KrazyK!...great diy write-up. I'm in the process of building a sump out of a 55. I also have an old 20g plexi that use to be my old wet/dry. I like your idea of the above sump fuge so I might consider using the 20g for that purpose. Looks like the output from your fuge is bypassing the skimmer, is that the best way to do it or should all water flow from the main tank go pass the skimmer?

[Krazy]

Originally Posted by map95003

Perfect timing KrazyK!...great diy write-up. I'm in the process of building a sump out of a 55. I also have an old 20g plexi that use to be my old wet/dry. I like your idea of the above sump fuge so I might consider using the 20g for that purpose. Looks like the output from your fuge is bypassing the skimmer, is that the best way to do it or should all water flow from the main tank go pass the skimmer?

The output is kind of close to the skimmer, I dont have a baffle for the skimmer/return pump area, I leave it 1 big chamber. I prolly loose some pods to the skimmer, but your gonna lose some no matter how you do it... Output is your preference.. I dont think it matters ALL that much.. Others may view that differently though so dont quote me

[Reef-Daddy]

First.. Thanks a bunch Krazy K for the write-up, nice job!

It is also very timely for me as I have been running a 75 Gallon for just under a year w/out refuge/sump but doing fine.

But I am getting another 20 gallon tank from a family member and 1st thought about using it as a hospital tank. But I have noticed an absence in my bug population and have been reading about refuges. As they were initially designed for developing, breeding, harvesting, etc., those that would normally not survive or do well in the main tank. Including macro algae... which is excellent for reducing/eliminating nitrates. I also wanted to be able to display the Refuge tank with its inhabitants and I think I just want to stand it up, above and next to the main tank with a plumed return line, then use a sump pump from the primary tank to the Refugium where I will have a deep sand bed, live rock, macro algae, with sea horses and other slow-life style inhabitants.

Do you see anything wrong with this thinking?

[fishtk75]

Krazy K,

the live rock in the first sump space for the return pvc pipe.
When it gets full of waste how will you clean it?
Asking I have the same setup.

[Krazy]

Reef Daddy,

I think its fully possible, you just have to lay out a good solid plan and make it happen When the time comes and you've got questions, I'll try to help as much as I can...

fishtk75,

I dont think the rubble rock will ever get full of waste, I have bristle worms and all sorts of pods in that rubble just as much as in my refugium, I think it just gets broken down without worry, I've had it like that for months now and I never mess with it...

[dan_in_mi]

Here are some pics of my set up. It is a reef tank that has been up for about a month now, I dont have much in it yet! It is a 65g tank with a 29g refuge. I am planning to put a protein skimmer in the refugium soon. Do you think my set up will work or do you see any changes that should be made before I get to far in to this? And any suggestions on inverts for the refuge tank? I am also having problems with my return pump, it is pretty load, sounds like a vibration but everything seems solid. It sound like it is struggling, but it is rated for 700gph at 4ft of line, has anyone had a problem like that, think using a hose instead of 3/4 PVC would make a difference? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, I am new to this!!

[1sleeper]

Hey Kieth, congrats on Tank of the Month!!!!!!!!
Sweet use of space. I like the stacked rubbermaid refuge.
I posted a reply to the article before I saw this post. Looks like we have the same cabinet. I was able to fit a 30 under it? That's a 30L baffled for skimmer/sump/refugium. It's nasty now with cheato and critters. I'll try to take a new pic for comparison. I have since only added kalk water top off. The only give away to how I fit it is that stupid black sheetrock screw on the bottom. I have to fill that. lol

[1sleeper]

Originally Posted by dan_in_mi

I am also having problems with my return pump, it is pretty load, sounds like a vibration but everything seems solid. It sound like it is struggling, but it is rated for 700gph at 4ft of line, has anyone had a problem like that, think using a hose instead of 3/4 PVC would make a difference? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, I am new to this!!

Nice sump! What kind of return pump? Try a piece of rubber under it first, then go for hose. Just a section of hose to dampen might do the trick. If it's a used pump, check the impeller.

[Krazy]

Originally Posted by 1sleeper

Hey Kieth, congrats on Tank of the Month!!!!!!!!
Sweet use of space. I like the stacked rubbermaid refuge.
I posted a reply to the article before I saw this post. Looks like we have the same cabinet. I was able to fit a 30 under it? That's a 30L baffled for skimmer/sump/refugium. It's nasty now with cheato and critters. I'll try to take a new pic for comparison. I have since only added kalk water top off. The only give away to how I fit it is that stupid black sheetrock screw on the bottom. I have to fill that. lol

It does look like we have the same stand

Lets see your tank pics in a new thread about your tank I want to see more

Very clean looking setup under the tank, I like it alot

20 long was all I could fit in without removing that centerbrace, It went in from the top..

More pics, More pics please

[fishtk75]

Originally Posted by dan_in_mi

Here are some pics of my set up. It is a reef tank that has been up for about a month now, I dont have much in it yet! It is a 65g tank with a 29g refuge. I am planning to put a protein skimmer in the refugium soon. Do you think my set up will work or do you see any changes that should be made before I get to far in to this? And any suggestions on inverts for the refuge tank? I am also having problems with my return pump, it is pretty load, sounds like a vibration but everything seems solid. It sound like it is struggling, but it is rated for 700gph at 4ft of line, has anyone had a problem like that, think using a hose instead of 3/4 PVC would make a difference? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, I am new to this!!

I wraped silicone air line around the pump to stop it from hitting the glass.
I had a 9.5 mag on my 75 tank but changed it to a 3 mag to stop more noise and the over flow does not make all the noise also now.Plus as he said it does make the skimmer work 10 times better when I had the big pump only a week on my euroreef to fill cup but now with slower flow more time for skimmer to take it all out a cup a day now.
I read it in the new book The Reef Aquarium by Delbeck that you do not need all that water flow thought the sumps you need it in the main tank with powerheads or other closed loop systems.
I hope this help to cut down on all the noise all around.

[fishtk75]

Originally Posted by Krazy K

Reef Daddy,

I think its fully possible, you just have to lay out a good solid plan and make it happen When the time comes and you've got questions, I'll try to help as much as I can...

fishtk75,

I dont think the rubble rock will ever get full of waste, I have bristle worms and all sorts of pods in that rubble just as much as in my refugium, I think it just gets broken down without worry, I've had it like that for months now and I never mess with it...

Krazy K,

Thank you that will help alot less work.

[ACE]

Very nice Krazy K I enjoyed your write-up

[Krazy]

Thanks ACE

[tank72]

Cool top off setup!!!

[WNY Reefer]

Krazy,

Great info. I have a couple of ?'s. Where did you get your auto top off controller and top off level sensor? and what size maxi-jet are you iusing in your freash water top off bucket. Thanks

[Lowej82]

is that regular glue & primer used for the pipes? Ive been woundering if that was safe.

[Krazy]

I got my top off from AutoTop - Your Aquarium TopOff Solution its the auto top off deluxe, I use a maxi-jet 600 for the pump, its what I had laying around

I use purple PVC primer and PVC cement. Just be sure to let it dry and its as good as it gets

[e_baer]

after seeing your set up, it almost makes me want to make mine look like that!

[elkman97462]

Where did you find that clear container you have for the top off water? That looks like it would work great!