75 gallon refugium

[Opsguy49]

I appologize for this lengthy thread but I need advise. I aquired a used 75 gallon tank and would like to make a refugium out of it in my basement. My show tank is a 75 gallon, it's been running for two months now with approx. 150 lbs. of LR. My questions are: Is this overkill for a sump/ refugium? If not, how should I configure the sump for flow (tank is not drilled). Can I drill this tank? it's an older Oceanic. How large and what type protien skimmer( I plan on a mixed reef ) If I can't drill, are there submersibles that can overcome approx. 10-13 ft. of head and still give adequate flow? Baffle placement and hieghts? Compatment sizes? If I do not drill the tank, could I use it as a refugium and use an overflow box on the end to feed a rubbermaid sump which would house the equipment and allow me to use an external pump? I have around $1500 for the project and would like any information on this as well as equipment recommedations.

[tabwyo]

Lets tackle this one in order.

#1 - 75 is not overkill, the more volume the beter you are able to deal with issues such as chemestry stability, heat, ph shift and so on.
#2 - you should check out the DIY sumps on here and at reefcentral. There are a ton of awsome sumps take ideas from.
#3 - you can drill but you may not need to. I have seen setup with Genx/Iwaki style pumps postioned over the sump. They aliviate the siphon issue during outtages by puttin a check valve in at the bottom of the inlet tube below the sumps water level.
#4 - Use as big a skimmer as you possibly can.
#5 - If you have the space, leave as much room as possible between your baffels. The idea is to dissperse the airbubbles. If you place your baffles too close together you inrease the water velocity through the chambers and the water will carry more bubbles with it. I always preffered a large inlet chamber, it lets alot of solid waste settle out so it can be siphoned.
#6 - The rubbermaid sumps are great. Remeber water volume is your friend.

[Geoff]

Welcome to TRT!!!



i am not a fan of refugiums, they are just something else to feed. no real benefit. after saying that if you are interested in fragging corals and such this would make a nice growout tank. a growout tank will just have water, eggcrate stand, and the corals on the stand, that is it. i think a 75 could be a bit tall for a sump. it will work fine, but it is easier to use a shallow rubbermaid tank. if you are going to be pushing up 13' do not try and use the return as added flow. you should really think about putting in a CLS (Closed Loop System). it is a much more economical way to add flow than trying to get a big enough pump to pump that high. not to mention balancing an overflow that distance is annoying and loud, when you move that much water.

G~

[tabwyo]

I have never fed my fuge. It lives off of what my diplay doens't use. But to each his own. I agree with the CLS. Have a return pump rated for enough turnover to decently filter your water. Use a CLS for any extra water movement you need.