Sump Questions

[jcesl2]

Well, since you guys were all mean and said I could only have 3 fish in my tank... I went and bought a new one tonight.

My wife is a little upset at me. Something to do with being laid off 3 months ago and not having a job. Anyway, I got a 90 gallon AGA with an overflow.

I am going to use one of my 20 gallon FW tanks for a sump. I've been reading about sumps, but I have a couple questions. I'm going to get an Aqua C Urchin Pro and a Mag 7 for a return pump. Are those good choices?

I would like to have a refugium in the middle, and most diagrams I have seen are divided into 3 parts. What I would like to do is divide it into parts, and then divide the first part into 2 more. So, water goes into a square sized area with LR. Overflows a baffle forward to next section with protein skimmer. Then it overflows into the refugium, then into the last section with the return pump.

First, can I have a glass shop cut pieces of glass for the baffles? Do I just use silicon to attach them? Finally, a lot of the pictures have holes drilled in the sides of the sump for the PVC pipe. Can't I just have the pipes go straight into the tank from the top?

Thanks for all the help.

[jcesl2]

Ok, I think I changed my mind already. What do you guys think of the CPR Cyclone BioFilter + Skimmer CY192? Here's a link:

http://www.reefgeek.com/products/cat...rs/100143.html


I would lose the refugium, but as a newcomer to saltwater, I think it would save me time and headaches. I'm assuming the protein skimmer isn't as good as an urchin though? Help

[Geoff]

those all in one units are nice to have until you get the hang of what exactly is going on in a SW setup.

i really think you are trying to put to many things in that 20 to make it useable. each of those compartments need to be pretty big in order to do any good. at the sizes you are describing they would just be causing problems. the smaller you make the compartments the greater the chances you will be returning bubbles to the main display.

the link you posted is for a rather compact unit. i like the larger ones if at all possible. these allow more flexibility later on. you can add more junk like heaters and probes and possibly a bigger skimmer later on. i like to have sumps as big as possible.

hth,

G~

[jcesl2]

Ok, I'll think about the bigger model. But I agree about it being easier. Thanks for the reply.

[snazlord]

I'm currently using a 20gal AGA for my sump; i bought some acrylic panels at home depot and some glass/acrylic glue from TAP plastics and made 3 partitions. Returns from tank goes into first partition, then into thru baffles into refug in middle (biggest partition), then into return pump chamber at other end. Return pump runs both return to display and skimmer (cause i have a mag 12 on a 38gal display)

if i had to do it again, i'd do these few things differently (for starters...)

with the return on one side and the intake on the opposite side, the entire pumps flow rate goes thru the refuge (i.e. flow thru display and refuge are the same) since the refuge is smaller than the display, and because you want stuff to hang around in the refuge for longer (to settle out and get eaten), but the pump in the middle, with the refuge on one side and the tank return on the other. Split the tank return so that part goes into refuge and part goes into overflow to pump. you can then control the flow rate thru the fuge.

gotta get back to work, but i can explain more later if you want.

[jcesl2]

Ok, I was convinced to do a DIY sump. Kinda. Im gonna have the owner of my favorite LFS make it for me. I hand him the return pump, protein skimmer, and 20 gallon tank, and for $30 he puts it all together.

Whenever I have a project that I do myself, it always ends up costing twice as much money as it should, and I get in a fight with my wife. Since the materials (plexi and silicon) are included in that $30, Im happy. And I still get to have a refugium.

Here's what was delivered tonight: