Building a Sump.... Help

[Xler8n]

Im going to build a sump/refugium out of a 30 gallon for my 75 gallon reef and wanted some imput on my design. This is just a rough draft and my first idea. Any help would be appreciated especially on where to place the baffles, how many baffles etc. This will be my first time doing this so any advice is welcome. Sorry about the size. I was having trouble to make it fit under th attachments. Thanks

[wanareef]

I'm not sure what that 14" baffle is, but on your other baffles, you want to start at like for example 10" for your over, then raise the next baffle to about 12" for the under with 2" of clearence from the bottom (just another 10" raised to 12") then 9" for the over. You want a cascading type effect.

Then just an 8" baffle before the return area.

[HD Fatboy®]

I have a 30 gal sump under my 75 gal ....and this is how I built it....Of course I do not have the refugium chamber, in mine....first chamber for intake, second chamber for skimmer, and third chamber for return.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxnugJGiT3o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgNe_OYgoL8

[motorslave]

Be sure that the spaces between, not only under, the baffles are 2". This will prevent the water from having too much velocity and reducing the ability to stop the bubbles from coming along for the ride.

[Xler8n]

I saw limpits video. Its a good one. But doesnt incorporate the refugium

[Xler8n]

14" baffle from top to bottom leaving 2 inches under the baffle for the water to flow under

[Doug1]

Originally Posted by Xler8n

14" baffle from top to bottom leaving 2 inches under the baffle for the water to flow under

Since your 14" baffles are open at the bottom, the water level is going to be determined by the shorter baffles closed at the bottom, Raising the 14s to the top gains you nothing, they can be an inch higher than the other baffles

[HD Fatboy®]

I think you could build it like limpets reef, If there is not any reason you can not put the skimmer in the first chamber leaving room for the refugium. looking at mine now, I think I also could have made the first chamber where my water comes from the tank to the sump quit a bit smaller. Also my opinion is that you do not need the over and under baffle in that section as per your drawing. It just needs to go over and under in the return pupm chamber. Your 14" baffles are really not doing any thing for you, and at the price of 1/4" acrylic, your throwing your money away. If the skimmer can not go in the same chamber as the inlet, then maybe it could be bade into two sections, I do Not know for sure, as I am new to this sump thing also. Another important factor to remember is your skimmer, What water height is it recommend to run at. That detiremines baffle height in that area, also make sure when your skimmer is down ther you have enough head room between it and the display tank to get the collection cup off for cleaning. GooD LucK!

[Xler8n]

Thats why i made the baffle 9" becuase the skimmer i want to get (octopus extreme 160 or MSX 160) operate best in 8" - 10" of water. I have 26" of height under my tank (inside the stand) The skimmer is 23 inches so ill have 3" of extra height. I think that should be enough to get the cup out.