Flower's Sump/Fuge Build

2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Posiden http:///forum/thread/380517/flower-s-sump-fuge-build/300#post_3314781
SORRY TO ALL UP FRONT BUT........
I'm going to be a jerk here and mention something that should have hit me earlier on. We keep speaking of simplicity and ease of maintenance. I just had a brain fart and couldn't help but think of the CPR hang on refug setup. The only difference is that, well, Acrylic (Shawn) is building this. SO.....my question is this.
Why not make a 48Lx 7Dx 30T tank? It would hold about 36 gallons of water and would be fed from a pump on the inside of the DT. It would then gravity right back into the DT. No power outage issues, No maintenance on the OF to worry about, No split drain, No plumbing of any kind. It could be opened and placed, plugged in and let life take over. The Gravity feature would allow any critter to make the adventure unharmed, since there isn't any pump to go through. The only issue I have is the skimmer right now.
The ATO could be left alone, short of moving some hoses around. Maybe make the tank a little shorter to allow the hoses from the ATO to remain hidden.
So it would be like one big fuge you're saying? How is gravity going to get the water to travel up higher than the water level in the tank itself? Sorry, I know it's late and my mind is sleepy but what am I missing? It sounds like a nifty Idea but I don't understand how that works?
 
posiden

posiden

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///forum/thread/380517/flower-s-sump-fuge-build/320#post_3314792
So it would be like one big fuge you're saying? How is gravity going to get the water to travel up higher than the water level in the tank itself? Sorry, I know it's late and my mind is sleepy but what am I missing? It sounds like a nifty Idea but I don't understand how that works?
The supply pump is on the inside of the DT. There for having all evap coming from the DT. The out flow bulkhead on the sump/refuge will set the water level in it. Hence the extra height dispite the DT height. So in all essence, the supply pump will only have to overcome just a few inches of head. Small pump, less watts, same goal.
A small stand will be needed behind the tank so the weight isn't on the DT. A couple 2x6's would take care of that.
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Posiden http:///forum/thread/380517/flower-s-sump-fuge-build/320#post_3314794
The supply pump is on the inside of the DT. There for having all evap coming from the DT. The out flow bulkhead on the sump/refuge will set the water level in it. Hence the extra height dispite the DT height. So in all essence, the supply pump will only have to overcome just a few inches of head. Small pump, less watts, same goal.
A small stand will be needed behind the tank so the weight isn't on the DT. A couple 2x6's would take care of that.
Gotcha...I was imagining the tank sitting at floor level. Not an all bad idea if I do say so...but you're right in that would pose a proplem in where to run a relatively descent skimmer that we could keep out of site. Then we'd have to figure out who's going to construct the support for the tank. She's mentioned that she doesn't have alot of strength in her hands to do alot of lifting or anything mechanical so we were kind of thinking 2 smaller tanks would be easier for her to handle. I dunno though, I do think it's a pretty innovative idea. But at this point I think some of the plans have already been set it motion. Then again, Shawn is the one doing the constructing, not I.
 
monsinour

monsinour

Active Member
That is a nifty idea, but the stand for it, i think, becomes the limiting factor.
Flower - You said you had kids. Are they far from you? Can they not make the trip to visit and assist you with this little project? Call it a columbus day family gathering.
 
al&burke

al&burke

Active Member
As you can see in the pictures my skimmer feeds the fuge, I posted this when I first built it. The only problem I find is PH - mine is not as wide as the tank and I can get the PH on the ends of the back, if the fuge was a wide as the length of the tank the PH would have to be on the ends of the tank. Could Flower still use her canister filter with live rock in it only and not have to clean it as often as with a canister filled with media and pads.
 
spanko

spanko

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///forum/thread/380517/flower-s-sump-fuge-build/300#post_3314747
Good point Henry....I would like to see the DT seeded..... With all the beneficial creatures being added below Flower you still have the same issue with the sand bed in the DT. It is relatively useless, and nitrification/denitrafication process still will not be correct. Your pods and such will move back and forth, but the vital bristle worms we had discussed elsewhere IMO won't make the journey or very few to the DT, to help the process. I would strongly suggest seeding the DT as well. Is there anyway possible your goby taking a temporary residence with your friend for a time being?
I brought it up not so much for the nitrification/denitrification process, but for the accumulation of detritus issue. The bacteria will populate even with the goby there but without the fauna that reside in a healthy sandbed to consume the detritus I would be fearful that the sandbed will again become a "dump".
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
I'm following you on this Posiden!!!!! Really nifty idea....kinda like a coast to coast.....Skimmer does present an issue though!!!!!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Posiden http:///forum/thread/380517/flower-s-sump-fuge-build/300#post_3314781
SORRY TO ALL UP FRONT BUT........
I'm going to be a jerk here and mention something that should have hit me earlier on. We keep speaking of simplicity and ease of maintenance. I just had a brain fart and couldn't help but think of the CPR hang on refug setup. The only difference is that, well, Acrylic (Shawn) is building this. SO.....my question is this.
Why not make a 48Lx 7Dx 30T tank? It would hold about 36 gallons of water and would be fed from a pump on the inside of the DT. It would then gravity right back into the DT. No power outage issues, No maintenance on the OF to worry about, No split drain, No plumbing of any kind. It could be opened and placed, plugged in and let life take over. The Gravity feature would allow any critter to make the adventure unharmed, since there isn't any pump to go through. The only issue I have is the skimmer right now.
The ATO could be left alone, short of moving some hoses around. Maybe make the tank a little shorter to allow the hoses from the ATO to remain hidden.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member

My children are far away, one son I have not seen in over a year, the other I see about 4 times a year. No, if I waited for them to come visit and help I won't have a sump for a long time...Thanksgiving.
I have a question...If I get new live sand, not the cheap stuff seeded with bacteria but the sand like SWF sells with live critters in it (so they claim) I could put my old sand into the refugium with the critters I have where they won't be bothered and be able to reseed without interference...would that work for keeping the goby and having a live sand bed in both tanks?
Al, that’s the same skimmer I have now..The leaky evil Coralife that I hate. But that is one of the coolest HOB filters I have ever seen. It leaks on me now because I can't tighten the cup right, my hands are not strong enough. So I would have the very same issue I have now.
In the end folks I really would like to keep what Shawn designed...It has a refugium and the skimmer sits in the sump all big issues for me. He already has the materials and all the plans are set, hardware is purchased I believe. Also Corey promised those nifty black flow bars or whatever they are called.
 
al&burke

al&burke

Active Member
I hear your flower, I built it to eliminate the micro bubbles the PS is famous for. I will be watching closely because I am going to go to a sump eventually and would like to replace my Coral Life skimmer with the one you are getting (in sump)
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Al&Burke http:///forum/thread/380517/flower-s-sump-fuge-build/320#post_3314832
I hear your flower, I built it to eliminate the micro bubbles the PS is famous for. I will be watching closely because I am going to go to a sump eventually and would like to replace my Coral Life skimmer with the one you are getting (in sump)

Mine is back to spitting micobubbles AGAIN. I would be upset but Shawn is building me a sump and I know now it won't be long befoere this skimmer goes bye bye. I want to take a sledge hammer to it...but I know I won't..it become another thing I keep just in case..If Meowzer needs parts for her cascade I have them...LOL I didn't toss that out either...3 years now.
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
Love the setup.....The thing I'm most after in the build is the implementation of aggressive skimming. I want to try to eliminate the Coral Life skimmer all together, because of the micro bubble issues, and I just feel it is way under powered for the job. Flower has a good maintenance routine, and the addition of a strong, aggressive skimmer should aide in getting and keeping things on track.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Al&Burke http:///forum/thread/380517/flower-s-sump-fuge-build/320#post_3314813
Posiden - something like this.......
 
al&burke

al&burke

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flower http:///forum/thread/380517/flower-s-sump-fuge-build/320#post_3314836

Mine is back to spitting micobubbles AGAIN. I would be upset but Shawn is building me a sump and I know now it won't be long befoere this skimmer goes bye bye. I want to take a sledge hammer to it...but I know I won't..it become another thing I keep just in case..If Meowzer needs parts for her cascade I have them...LOL I didn't toss that out either...3 years now.

Mine is not to bad these days, funny when the calcium get low it seems to put out more bubbles - water level is an issue as well. I am going to get the same one you are, I might retrofit my Coral life for my FW planted tank for a CO2 reactor. Anyways - I am finally setting up my son's 65 gallon goldfish tank - looking forward to seeing them in their new home. Have a good day Flower, AL
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
The only issues I see with my Posiden suggested, and it's actually a SUPER idea, is 1 Flower getting it into place and working around the canopy. The other big issue is boxing and shipping something of that size. The construction would be easy and with the spillway to eliminate piecing it together I could break out the 48" acrylic heater to make all the bends in a solid piece. I'd honestly love to build what Posiden has suggested, but logistically not feasible!!!!
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member

What about the idea with the goby and new live sand....We started talking about a different tank and nobody mentioned the new sand idea.
 
spanko

spanko

Active Member
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/forum/thread/359800/do-i-need-a-sifter-shifter-stirrer-swizzle-stick-roto-rooter
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member

Quote:
Originally Posted by spanko http:///forum/thread/380517/flower-s-sump-fuge-build/320#post_3314875
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/forum/thread/359800/do-i-need-a-sifter-shifter-stirrer-swizzle-stick-roto-rooter
Sand Sifters
These are critters that derive their food from sifting through the sand looking for the flora and fauna that reside there. In most all cases they need large tanks. Read min 50 gallons and above with a lot of live rock and maybe a fuge to help to replenish what is being consumed. These fish, starfish etc. will quickly decimate the available food source and most will starve from lack of replenishment of these food stuffs.

I have a 90g tank and I'm putting in the refugium thanks to Shawn to be able to replenish what he eats out of the sand, and I was going to buy new critter loaded sand. I have lots of live rock about 80 pounds and I was going to buy more to reseed that.
So I have everything on your list...so is that a go?
 
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