Fuge Help

[slider101]

I need all you guys brillant minds to help me design a fuge/sump set up. I have a 55 gal tank and want to put my extra 10 gallon tank underneath and start a fuge. I want to put my skimmer and HOB filter in the sump to clean up my DT. What my goal is with this is to increase my water volume, have a small fuge to grow pods with LR and sand in it and chatoe, and assist with the filtration of my DT tank. Now I have a Emperor 400 HOB, seaclone skimmer which I know everyone hates but I love mine and it works great! I want to do this as cheaply as possible since my budget is very small but I already have alot of the equipment. SO I want too put my filter and skimmer in the fuge and grow the above. Could someone give me some drawings showing how to build it with baffles and placement and the feed and return lines? I will be using an overflow box also. Hope someone can help and thanks in advance!

 

[jackri]

https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/356291/i-picture-to-show-off-reefs
This build shows my sump as well -- just a little larger scale as the sump came out to about 36 gallons of total volume but adding glass baffles with silicone wouldn't be hard to do.

 

[slider101]

Very nice, so let me ask a few questions if you don't mind. If I have the overflow line going into the left side of the fuge, should my skimmer be in the compartment? Is that the compartment that the baffle is open at the bottom and then a small space and the next baffle lets the water go over the top of it? Then you have your fuge area and then another set of baffles like the other side and then your return pump? Am I correct? How do I best match up the return pump so I don't overflow the sump or suck it dry?

 

[jackri]

You won't need much of a pump.. the one in that sump actually goes too fast so I throttled the adjustment back. The drain could easily handle it but was a pretty violent turn over.
The skimmer should "pull" it's water from your first compartment where water comes in. People have different opinions on where the "fuge" part should be but I like this set up. Just personal preference there. The baffle isn't open on that first section -- rather I have 1/4" holes drilled a few inches up for a few inches but with glass you really can't do that so you may just want it open underneath... primary reason is to cut down on micro bubbles -- as well as the 2 baffles on the right side.
Hope that helps some.

 

[slider101]

Originally Posted by jackri
http:///forum/post/3020032
You won't need much of a pump.. the one in that sump actually goes too fast so I throttled the adjustment back. The drain could easily handle it but was a pretty violent turn over.
The skimmer should "pull" it's water from your first compartment where water comes in. People have different opinions on where the "fuge" part should be but I like this set up. Just personal preference there. The baffle isn't open on that first section -- rather I have 1/4" holes drilled a few inches up for a few inches but with glass you really can't do that so you may just want it open underneath... primary reason is to cut down on micro bubbles -- as well as the 2 baffles on the right side.
Hope that helps some.
I am confused, you said I wont need much of a pump? I have to have a pump to pump the water back up the return into the DT right? The supply from the overflow doesn't use a pump right, only syphon? I think I see what you did there, you have your skimmer pump pulling water out of the first chamber and the skimmer dumps water into the fuge part right? You also have some holes drilled in that baffle to allow more water to flow into it? What about lighting for the fuge? Should the lights only be over the middle fuge part or can it be over the whole tank? Sorry for all the questions but you are helping me alot!

 

[florida joe]

The first thing I would do is measure the foot print of your shimmer and skimmer pump so you know what size to make your chambers draw a picture and post it. I know you asked for help from brilliant minds BUT I though I would give my two cents anyway

 

[slider101]

Here is a first drawing of what I am thinking. Please any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[jackri]

My skimmer pulls and dumps back into the first chamber. The pump return I have is rated for around 940gph or 1200.. can't really remember but I did turn it way down as I don't like the REALLY strong flow into the tank over my corals and the noise the drain would make as it pumped way more than needed... and in a 10 gallon sump I wouldn't think you would need a lot of turbulent flow through there.
The holes in the first baffle IS THE ONLY WAY water gets into the second chamber in mine -- but I was drilling acrylic -- not glass (much easier).
As far as a light, the one I have now isn't pictured. I use a 23w (high output 100w range) bulb into a holder with a reflector around it (no idea what call it for a real term). But the bulb was 4 dollars and change and the socket w/ reflector and grips (to grip onto the sump) was a 6 dollars and change. Cheap light.. but use the 23w with 6500kelvin rating as it's really close to natural sunlight which is 6700. There are bulbs with 2300 or so ratings but make sure to get the 6500w (or 6700 if they have one). Just need to light the macro algae.
One more thing --- DO NOT - make your return chamber too small. All the evaporation occurs here and a GALLON of water evaporation could be a big deal in a 10 gallon (unless you have auto top off).
Also make sure your pump doesn't pump faster than your drain can handle or you will over flow your DT and run your sump pump dry.

 

[slider101]

Are you using a metal halide light? Also what do the baffles serve? Just to keep bubbles out?

 

[slider101]

HOw is my drawing? WOuld that work?

 

[jackri]

I run halides on both tanks, the baffles keep micro bubbles out (ideally) of the main portion of your tank.
Your drawing looks good in theory -- but so did all my drawings of sumps and the frag tank I built and came up with problems along with way lol.
Your biggest thing is making sure you have room for the equipment you want in there while leaving room for a "fuge". Unfortunately you want as big as a fuge as possible but don't cram your equipment in to where you can't service it either. It's kind of a take and no give situation.

 

[slider101]

Thanks. In the fuge what should I put? I will have sand in the bottom and I want to grow chatoe and pods. DO I need rock or just live sand and the chateo? Also will a light that goes across the whole tank or does it need to be isolated just above the fuge? I already have a long fixture is what I am getting at.

 

[slider101]

Thanks. In the fuge what should I put? I will have sand in the bottom and I want to grow chatoe and pods. DO I need rock or just live sand and the chateo? Also will a light that goes across the whole tank or does it need to be isolated just above the fuge? I already have a long fixture is what I am getting at.