Sump question

C

crash519

[I'm about to start on my sump and refugium with a 20 gal regular tank for my 58 gal. I'm trying to decide between the the skimmer->ref->return or the skimmer->return<-refugium. My question is how big should each section be? How large should the return section be? How tall should the dividers be? Should there be a bubble trap after the refugium, or does it not need it? I've looked at so many different designs, that I don't know which one to go with.

I'm thinking the bubble trap for the skimmer should contain about 8" of water and the refugium should be about 10" deep. How much room does the return section need? Just enough for the pump and heater?

Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks]
 
[Bret, there are a variety of ways to build a sump, and how to do the layout is pretty much up to the individual.

My site goes into a lot of detail, so if you've not perused these pages yet, please take some time now:

http://www.melevsreef.com/allmysumps.html

I put the heater in my refugium, so it can't be broken. The water level is stable, and nothing in there can drop and break it. (no pumps). I like to make refugiums 12" tall if possible, since 2" is for sand. This leaves some room for the macros to grow.

I like this layout best: skimmer -> return <- refugium, because you can have a shallower section for the skimmer and a taller one for the refugium.

You need enough room in your return section so that the sump will not run dry to quickly (due to evaporation).

The height of the bubble trap is dictated by the maker of the skimmer. They have a specific water level to run in.

You do not need a bubble trap after a refugium.

Lastly, a 20g is very small.

HTH]
 
[Brett, I would suggest you go look at several setups to see what they look like. It's sometimes hard to visualize by just drawings. And a lot depends on the amount of space you have to work with, the eqpuiment you want to use, and the type of tank(critters) you want. There are plenty of tank setups to look at around the DFW area. If you ever find yourself up in the Allen/Lucas area you are welcome to come by my home.]
 
[Thanks for your responses. Marc, I think I have read just about every glorious page and posting you have done since I started planning my system. What, in your opinion, would be the optimum size for a 58 gal. tank? I know another 58 gal would be perfect :laugh long: My stand, at the moment would only house something 32" long, 13" wide and up to 28" tall. Add in the need to pull the skimmer out occasionaly for maintanance and the height is reduced drastically. I don't know what the optimum height for a Berlin Classic skimmer is. Before you give me the lecture on skimmers, I got it used with a pump for $80.

I am going to build a new stand for this so I can gain some useful area underneath, but I'm still probably looking at 30-32" length max.

What would a custom acrylic cost me? I could do it myself if I didn't live in an apartment. I don't mind firing up the skillsaw, jigsaw and router, but I don't have room for a table saw (vital for the cuts needed for acrylic).

Man, I don't even have water in this thing and I'm already indecisive :p

Thanks]
 
[Got it, and I'll reply either later today or tomorrow. (19 other emails to tackle, plus I need sleep!)]
 
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