Sump Design

[MontanaRocknReefer]

Hi All!

Well this is my first attempt at designing a sump/refugium for my 80 gallon reef aquarium. It will be 20/30 gallon sump as this is all that will fit under the stand. What size pump should I get for the return to the main tank! 1000-2000GPH size?
Probably will pick up an overflow to the sump as there will be no drilling as my tank is fully stocked! Below is a pic and it's not very good but the three dark lines are the glass baffles. The center of the tank will be the refugium with LR and LS. Any suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks!

[Buzz_Hog]

Did your mom show you how to use that ruler???





Some things to remember...

1. Ditritus will settle in this tank... make sure there is an area for it to settle where you can get a vacuum into... (will prob be in the corner where the water comes into the tank, and then flows over the wall into the fuge section)

2. You want slow flow in the sand bed area.... I'd suggest using a layer about 2-3 inches of LR rubble instead of chunks... You can prob get rubble cheaper also...

3. Use a foam filter cover over the intake to the pump.... Otherwise you're gonna have macroalgaes sucked up and through into the display...

4. Get some rough crushed coral and some shells for the corners, they make for a great pod breeding ground...

5. You have no bubble baffles built into the system... This may or may not be a problem... but you will want to keep the water level at, or just below the level of the glass baffle going into the pump chamber, otherwise you will have MUCHO BUBBLO'S in your display....

[MontanaRocknReefer]

Thanks Buzz for all the info! Anyone else?

[Buzz_Hog]

and you thought I was done...

I've got a 20 gallon sump on my 29 gallon reef... I'm using a Mag 5 for my return pump...

again, for a refugium, you want a slower flow... to maximize exposure time of the sandbed and macroalgaes.... In a wet/dry, higher flow is great, but in a sump/refuge, slow and steady wins the race.... I'd say to look into a Mag 7 tops for this setup and provide your "in display" current by closed loop or Casey's fancy boat motor thing....

[MontanaRocknReefer]

Thanks again Buzz! Are you in chat?

[Buzz_Hog]

sure am,....

[thefatman]

i jsut wanna know what program you used to draw that diagram johnny? i thought i liked matt's drawing the other night, but yours totally rocks

take whatever advice buzz gave... i'm too busy still admiring the drawing

[MontanaRocknReefer]

Yeah Jay my drawings may go into the Art Museum some day!!