help with 10gal sump/fuge plans

ponzspyder

ponzspyder

New Member
Hello, I am planning a DIY sump/fuge for the 26 bowfront tank that I will be ordering sometime soon. Basically, I want to use it as a fuge but also to hide my heaters and stuff like a sump. I want to use my existing 10gal tank and an AquaClear Mini HOB filter in order to put them to good use.
I made some plans based on what I have been reading on the web and from all of you on this board. One of the things I read more than once was that having your skimmer in the fuge itself could defeat some of the purpose so I tried to figure out a way around that... Also, I know that you want the current in the fuge MUCH slower than you would a sump, so... I plan to use my HOB filter to divert a small amount ( adjustable 33-100 gph ) of current directly to the fuge part and the rest will overflow into the sump part with a protein skimmer and then baffles... although this is only in theory as of yet... The only thing I am still debating is that I want my fuge to be as wide as possible ( right now I have it at 8" wide ) but I am not sure if the remaining 2" canal is enough for the flow through the baffles in the other section. Although that 2" sections hight can be adjusted if need be...
Take a look :)

What do you think?? have I lost my mind or what?! :)
 
ponzspyder

ponzspyder

New Member
The plans were made with my Photoshop skills and a few years experience with mechanical drawing/CAD :)
I was bored last night and started brainstorming about DIY threads that I read here and just started playing around with Photoshop. Needless to say, by the time I was done... at least two hours had passed, hehe.
I mean, the plans look sound to me but I have never built any of this stuff before and am really curious now if the idea is worth a try.
Your opinions are very welcome and wanted. These plans are solely based on my research, not first had knowledge... For all I know, it just looks good on paper, but may not work the way I intended after it is setup.
After reading some more about mechanical filters causing nitrate problems in this type of setup, I am thinking about changing the "filter sponge" chamber to be a general media chamber for carbon or some other type of chemical filtration instead. All in all, I am sure I will play around with it after I get it going.
I am also planning a DIY overflow but I haven’t had time to draw plans for that yet. It basically involves 3 small pieces of acrylic and a modified version of the durso standpipe that will fit with such a small tank/overflow.
 
ponzspyder

ponzspyder

New Member
No, sorry. I really wish I did though, it could make things much easier :)
The only real experience I have at all with this stuff was classes in high school and the county craftman's fair years and years ago. Since then it has only been a hobby. I more recently worked in IT and currently am on SAD for NJ National Guard.
 
joez

joez

Member
Too bad...I know nothing about something I need to get into. Making a gas turbine engine...heh.
For your sump/refugium, just make sure you use 1/4" acrylic. That works best.
 
ponzspyder

ponzspyder

New Member
You really think so? I thought that maybe this small of a tank wouldn’t need such a thickness... although, I assume you know more than I do and I like to overkill things just to be safe so I will take your advice :)
 
joez

joez

Member
Yeah....if it is less thick it won't crack from the stress of the water, but it's pretty easy to break still. 1/4 isn't much more (at homedepot) and feels ALOT more sturdy.
Just get some weldon acrylic solvent and you'll be good to go :)
 
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