Sump Design

[Waterhobit]

So I am trying to plan out the sump for my future tank and had a question. is there a way to place the return pump directly in the refugium section so as to allow for a larger fuge? What about an under baffle followed by a baffle that drained in the middle to allow the water level in the fuge to drop with the return section down to a certain level

 

Something like this:

 

Would this work? Any potential problems with the lower baffle between fuge and return?

[Angel<3Nanos]

Are you keeping sand in your refugium? If so you may want to get rid of that baffle before the return one. That will clog and not let water through.

Also, the water passage for the return baffle should be around 1 in or so below the last baffle of your bubble trap. Other wise you'll have a big waterfall and your refugium water level will be lower.

[seabass]

So I am trying to plan out the sump for my future tank and had a question. is there a way to place the return pump directly in the refugium section so as to allow for a larger fuge?

Sure, you just need to make sure the return pump isn't affected by algae or sand from the fuge. A short baffle higher than the return pump (and sand) is all you really need.

[k4ndyk1ng]

You could consider havind another section for some filter socks

[farkwar]

You could consider havind another section for some filter socks

Yes!

 

And a bigger skimmer chamber.

 

A good quality skimmer will pull out tons more junk than a refugium.

[Waterhobit]

Ok, so I am leaning toward using filter floss rather than filter socks because of the ease of disposing of filter floss compared to cleaning filter socks, which my wife would force me to wash by hand. I ran across the design in this thread: http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/325631-tired-of-cleaning-nasty-filter-socks-in-your-sump/ which I like. Any input on potential issues with a setup similar to this?

 

In addition I think that I might forego media reactors and include an area for media bags between stage 1 and 2. There will be additional room in stage 1 for media reactors if I decide that I need them.

 

And, I have a new question. I have seen or heard several complain about the detritus that builds up under live rock in the refugium. Is is a significant problem, or will the pods in the fuge consume it? Would a system that flushes all of the detritus away from the refugium be a good thing or a bad thing?

 

Is there any reason not to go bb with my fuge? I know that a deep sand bed can be beneficial but with a fuge that is only about 8 or 9 inches deep, wouldn't a deep sand bed take up a majority of that space? Is it worth it?

[Mojado]

Ok, so I am leaning toward using filter floss rather than filter socks because of the ease of disposing of filter floss compared to cleaning filter socks, which my wife would force me to wash by hand. I ran across the design in this thread: http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/325631-tired-of-cleaning-nasty-filter-socks-in-your-sump/ which I like. Any input on potential issues with a setup similar to this?

 

In addition I think that I might forego media reactors and include an area for media bags between stage 1 and 2. There will be additional room in stage 1 for media reactors if I decide that I need them.

 

And, I have a new question. I have seen or heard several complain about the detritus that builds up under live rock in the refugium. Is is a significant problem, or will the pods in the fuge consume it? Would a system that flushes all of the detritus away from the refugium be a good thing or a bad thing?

 

Is there any reason not to go bb with my fuge? I know that a deep sand bed can be beneficial but with a fuge that is only about 8 or 9 inches deep, wouldn't a deep sand bed take up a majority of that space? Is it worth it?

Throw them in the washer with some bleach, then do a second rinse. Good to go. Doesn't muck up the washer.

[seabass]

IMO, a bare bottom fuge is much easier to maintain. While pods might eat detritus, that doesn't mean that the waste is gone (even pods poop). Not having live rock in the fuge is easier than having some live rock. This is why a Chaeto fuges (no sand or rock) are so popular.

[Waterhobit]

Throw them in the washer with some bleach, then do a second rinse. Good to go. Doesn't muck up the washer.

I know, but my wife says no, and I want my wife happy with my aquarium hobby.

 

 

I'm thinking about not using sand and setting live rock on top of egg crate to prevent detritus getting trapped. I have been playing around with different ideas in sketchup and this is sort of what I am thinking right now.

 

 

Red is the drain and filter device. Blue is the return pump and line. Purple would be a set of pipes designed to suck up water and hopefully trapped detritus during water changes.

[seabass]

Just me but I feel the egg crate just complicates it unnecessarily. I'd go with a bare bottom fuge, or no fuge at all.

 

Also consider a media reactor vs the media rack: http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-gfo-carbon-reactor-single-1.html It's more efficient, and it simplifies your sump design.

[farkwar]

Whats really nice about having a sock.

 

You can siphon your tank out, with the end of the tube in the sock. For endless gallonage suction.

 

Then just replace dirty sock with clean.

 

Wash in washing machine with baking soda, no smell, non toxic.

 

I doubt floss can fiter out 100 or 50 micron junk like a sock can.

 

CPR has an Ebay store, 5 socks $25, free shipping.

 

I will never put a refugium in a sump again, its one big poop catcher/maker. I may do a display refugium, but it will have a real filter system hooked up to it.