Help with sump/refugium setup

[blondenaso1]

These are the plans for a custom sump/refugium that I am having built for my 55gal. I posted this in the other forum, but didn't have to many replies. Tell me what you guys think. Suggestions are definately welcome. What would you have in the setup if you were doing it yourself?? The dimensions I have to work with are 45" x 10" x 22".
http://community.webshots.com/user/blondenaso1

 

[glazer]

hey blonde,
Hmmm since you are not getting much input and yer asking for some I'll throw my .02 in...
I don't know if your drawing is to scale but it seems like your baffles are a bit short on the 'fuge area, maybe add a bit more height? Get you a deeper sandbed or at least more water space for macros if you are throwing them in.
Also I am wondering if perhaps better to put your skimmer before the 'fuge? I see your output dumps back into it... I am just envisioning pods going through the skimmer then dumped back out, then into bubble hell again and then back out... and FINALLY after all that then they get to take a trip through the BLENDMASTER 1000... just to get to the big tank!...lol
I dunno.... just some thoughts. Good luck with the thing anyway. Would love to see a pic of the final product... sounds like fun.

 

[jester]

You don't need a skimmer if you have refugium.
They do the same thing.

 

[broomer5]

Jester -
Not debating the issue of having both an algae refugium and a protein skimmer on a tank set up - but I would hesitate stating that they do the same thing.
Similar - maybe
Beneficial - most likely
Same - nope
One is mechanical and allows immediate export.
The other is biological - actually adds and subtracts compounds from the system - and is only considered exporting when the algae is harvested.
The end results may be silmilar - but not exactly the same - ya know

 

[jester]

ahh, thanks for setting me straight.
I was under the impression they both do the same thing. get rid of nitrates.

 

[broomer5]

Sort of in a round about way.
Skimmers removes many of the organic protein/peptide compounds directly through foam fractionation. These compounds adhear to the air/water interface bubbles, rise up the column, pop, turn to foam and the foam inches it's way up to the collection cup.
These compounds if left in the tank, tend to naturally break down over time into simpler nitrogen compounds, ammonia, nitrite and finally nitrate.
So removing them with a protein skimmer get's them out before the bacteria have to deal with them.
Algae, on the other hand, uses the nitrates/phosphates as nutrients to grow and respire. Doesn't get rid of nitrates - just converts them into plant tissue and energy. There still there - just locked up as a plant.
Yanking the plant tissue out removes the excess nutrients from from the system.

 

[jester]

Broomer schooling me again.

 

[broomer5]

Ha !
Jester - I'd like to sit in on your tank stand and canopy lecture class 101 anyday of the week !!!!!
Just now starting my canopy, and it may end up looking like a wooden fort I built when I was 10.
You know - sneak out, pilfer wood from the housing construction, stealing nails from dads workbench and going at it in the backyard with a hammer LOL !
How's that project going - did you get some more coats of poly on it ?

 

[broomer5]

Sorry blondenaso1,
I get side tracked so easy ....
I think your design looks good and I think glazer made some convincing and positive remarks as well.
Nothing more to add here except again as glazer stated, if you can run the thing a little deeper with water, without overflowing it upon powerloss, it may be better.

 

[jester]

got it all on. 3 coats on everything. Looks super nice. Next weekend I'm going to try to move it in the apt. That is going to be a REAl challenge. The doors are only 6'8" high, the stairways have 3 180 deg. turns, and the entrence to my apt is on an angle. I've got 2 concrete workers, a underground laborer, a body builder and my self to help. Oh, and my girl to get the doors, pizza and beer.
I'm going to bring the canopy first, since it's the lightest and the same length as the stand (85 1/8") I fwe can get that up here, the rest will fit. I'll show pics of the move just for fun.
Kepp me posted on your top. remember measure, measure, and then measure it again before you cut it. Also think ahead. Think about what you want the corners to look like before you cut and build. My front board edges are routered with a 1/2 half round, and cover the edges of the side board. Gives a professional look. and hides the uglyness. Also, I used a neumatic finishing nailer to put the stand together. as for the canopy, i did'nt want to see nail holes or screws, so u used small "L" brackets on the inside if all corners and some wood glue. 2 on each. I hade some extra, so I used the rest to keep the canop on the tank. I post afew pics this week end on my site so you can see.
Good luck.

 

[broomer5]

Thanks Jester,
Got the wood yesterday and started the hinged front. Tricky to say the least.
I've got a somewhat unorthodoxed approach on this canopy, and I'm unwilling to describe it until I see if it's going to work. If it does - it'll be sweet. If not - back to drawing board, and I'll never tell what sort of screwy idea I had to begin with LOL.
My stand is nothing to brag about, so the canopy is going to match it to a degree. Nice but not near as nice as doing both stand and canopy together, as you have.
Got the L-brackets as you mentioned - thanks for the tips !
Don't want to have the old philosophy of measuring with a micrometer, marking it with a crayon and cutting it with a axe !
Later - good luck on the move.

 

[blondenaso1]

Thanks for the advice guys, even though you did get a little side tracked LOL. BUt anyways, I am going to make it as tall as possible while still being able to fit lights above it. Any ideas on how to keep more pods alive? Should I put the skimmer before the fuge??
By the way Jester and Broomer, you guys got me wondering on what your constructing. Any pix???

 

[jester]

Check out our homepage's in the pofile.

 

[reeflooker]

Blondenaso1, I also think you need more height. I would also be concerned about the volume of water flowing thru the refug and sump. You could have micro bubble problems with the skimmer next to the return pump. Also, I would be concerned about the live sand blowing into the return pump.
Think about this idea, why not get a standard 10 gal or 15 gal aquarium(with top and light) to use as a refug. Have a 1" hole drilled at the top and install a bulkhead. Raise the refug higher than the sump so the water will drain thru bulkhead into the sump. Place a small pump in the sump to move the water to the refug. With this design, you can clean the sump without disturbing the refug and vice versa. Its a simple, easy design. You can control the amount water flowing thru the refug with a back-off valve.
P.S. - I checked out that LFS you recommended on Main street. Not bad.... I really liked the 400 gal display reef.
Good luck - Reeflooker

 

[broomer5]

Now there's a good idea reeflooker !
blondenaso1,
I would consider reeflooker's suggestion. That makes a lot of sense if you can still fit it into your design.
No pics yet of the canopy. Worked on it couple hours tonight, and taking pics as I go.
If it turns out okay - I'll share them.
If not - ummmm
( apologize for sidetracking your thread naso )