1st Fuge. Need help

[lv-reefer]

I am installing the baffles on my fuge tomorrow and need to know the spacing for them.
I have decided to go with a ASM G-2 skimmer which has a 10x11 foot.
How big should I make my skimmer compartment?
It's going in a 29 gal fuge with 30 inches in length by 12 inches wide.
For the return pump I'm going to use a drive Mag 7. How big should I make that compartment?
The left over space will be for my refugium.
Please help, this is my first fuge.

 

[lv-reefer]

Ok, here is a diagram of the fuge.

 

[norcalreef]

The skimmer compartment should only be big enough to hold the skimmer.
What is your evaporation rate? If it is around a gallon per day or so, you may want to make the return compartment bigger. otherwise you will be having to add water everyday.
I would space the baffels 1/2 inch apart.

 

[lv-reefer]

I'm going to set up a 10 gallon Kalk drip system with a doser to help on having to replinish the evaporation. In Vegas it's very dry, so the evaporation rate is high, also buying my own RO/DI unit so I don't have to buy water anymore.
I got the fuge built, it works, but my concern is that I used the plexi glass/acrylic you buy from home depot for the baffles and used aquarium silicon to glue them in. I have read that silicon doesn't bond to acrylic very well. The divider for the refugium was a very very tight fit, so I don't think I'll have a problem with that, it's the baffles I'm worried about.

 

[norcalreef]

you are correct, the silicon will not bond to the acrylic. Go by your local glass shop, they should have the right product to bond the acrylic together.

 

[rangermonroe]

I have used "weld-on" with great success. Check the yellow pages "plastics, manufacturers" they should have it. $10 for a pint is wha tI paid.

 

[nyreefer]

I have a very similiar set up to this for my 55 gallon. Two recommendations... Get a bigger pump if you haven't already bought the Mag7. I am using a Mag7 to pump up about 5 feet and it doesn't leave much extra flow to the refuge. A Mag9 would have been a much better choice for me. Secondly the return chamber will evaporate fast, don't make it too small. My chamber holds about 2-3 gallons, I wish I would have made it alot bigger.