Advice for sump design

rackmsukr

rackmsukr

Member
Hello, I am just starting out in the SW hobby. I have a 150 gal tank that I initially want to use as a FOWLR setup, and maybe in the future add some corals and inverts. I also have an empty 55 gal tank that I want to convert into a sump / refugium. I have some plexiglass to use for baffles and dividers for the sump but am not sure what would be the best way to configure everything. Does this design look like it would be ok or do I need to make some changes? Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated... thanks!
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
That design will work fine.
It it were me I would place the skimmer in the first chamber, eliminate the second chamber and make the DSB chamber larger.
Edit - Counting the chambers from right to left.
 
shawnhardy

shawnhardy

Member
Is the DSB necessary? I am thinking of doing something similar and I was hoping that the macroalgae would be enough to get nitrates down to zero (or at least under 10ppm). I also have a question on lighting. I have a little coralife fixture that has 2 9W 6700K power compacts in it. Will this be enough light for the macroalgae? I am hoping ot convert my sump to a fuge with little cost so I am hoping these lights will work.
My setup is a 90g FOWLR.
 
natclanwy

natclanwy

Active Member
Originally Posted by shawnhardy
http:///forum/post/2509825
Is the DSB necessary? I am thinking of doing something similar and I was hoping that the macroalgae would be enough to get nitrates down to zero (or at least under 10ppm). I also have a question on lighting. I have a little coralife fixture that has 2 9W 6700K power compacts in it. Will this be enough light for the macroalgae? I am hoping ot convert my sump to a fuge with little cost so I am hoping these lights will work.
My setup is a 90g FOWLR.
Its not necessary especially if you have DSB in your display but either way you can achieve low nitrates without it may take more frequent water changes based on you feeding habits, bio load, quantity of LR ect.. all depends on your particular system. I really like the DSB it has made my tank way more stable and simpler to maintain but that is my personal preference others on this board have been equally successful not using the DSB or even a bare bottom.
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
Originally Posted by LexLuethar
http:///forum/post/2509858
I would also incorporate some type of filter media prior to the water entering the first chamber.
That tends to limit the amount of food for the critters in the DSB. Less critters = less useful DSB.
 
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