sump & fuge ?

[sparky0028]

I posted this in the equipment forum but thought I would do it here also
I would like to add fuge to my sump and have some questions. The sump is a 40 gal (48" long) tank and an external return pump. The first section is where the tank drains into (approx 700 gph)and I would put the protein skimmer here which runs on a rio 2500. The section on the right is where the return pump is and that runs on an iwaki pump (960gph) with a "T" that goes back into the return area. The center section would be the fuge which would feed off the first section. The flow from the first section is too great for the fuge to be effective. What is the best way to get the correct flow to the fuge and get the rest of the water to the return section. I know i could put the fuge first but then the water from the fuge would go through the protein skimmer and remove too much of the good stuff.

 

[sparky0028]

Thanks for the quick reply Kip. Unfortunatley the tank is drilled and I have an external pump on the right side. I would like to avoid the expense of buying another pump.

 

[sparky0028]

So the flow rate of the water from the display through the fuge is not to much? I though it had be about 150 gph for the fuge to be effective.

 

[sparky0028]

Kip
I though about that, Precision Marine makes a drop in fuge that would work for this application but it is expensive. The sump is running now so I would need a temp. set up to add the fuge to the sump. Thanks for the help

 

[klearstar]

Kip,
Thank you! Finally a diagram that makes sense to me. I am setting up a sump and fuge in one spare tank and I now understand. Everybody had a different set up and configuration and it was confusing. One stupid question, can you use flexible tubing? It seems like everyone uses PVC pipe.

 

[reb]

These might sound like real stupid questions but your design looks like what I want to do, just not sure on a bunch of things. First, is your entire design in one tank? I will have a 150 gal reef, what size tank do I need underneath to accomadate all of this? What are bubble baffles, what do they look like? What divides the return area from the refugium? Is it a piece of plexiglass glued in there? How does the water enter the bottom tank? Does the hose from up above just dump directly into it? My tank will have built in overflows, do you use any sponges or filters in this kind of set up? I am so use to using a Tide Pool 2 system with a bio wheel. Lastly, how do you use carbon (or don't you)? Sorry for all the questions, I just want to make sure I do everything correct. Thanks in advance.

 

[reb]

First of all thank you so much for answering my questions, you made it so I understand. As to your diagram it looks like the water coming out of the skimmer goes back to the beginning so some of the water gets run through it again. Is this what I see? The drilled overflow, is that just a fitting with pipe that leads back to the sump? Do you have a fitting on the end of the hoses that run into your sump from the main tank? What should I use for the sump and refugium?(acrilic tanks from LFS) Do you have lighting above your refugium? What's the reason behind having the dividers in the sump mounted from the bottom and then the top and so on? Thanks again!

 

[mburnickas]

Ok, I will throw a curve ball. Based on what I have read you can use whatever pump you want on the fuge. I am using a 1100 GPH on my 75. It will them drop to 900 GPH with all the piping (elbows, 45's etc. )
Also the flow on the fuge is linear on the top surface to it should e no problem.

 

[reb]

Not a problem. I will watch for other posts or I will check later when you are back online. Thanks.

 

[reb]

Thanks for all the awesome help!! My last question is if you have a fitting on the end of the hose that is the supply hose from the main tank. Not the return hose with the spray bar.

 

[reb]

For the 150 gal reef I was thinking a 20 gal sump and a seperate 10 gal fuge. Is this a good choice or should either of them be bigger?

 

[mburnickas]

Ok, how would you then control backflow from a 150 gallon tank? Either you air holes on your return lines are near the surface (very close) and you weirs does not hold much maybe, I think they are small.
what are the dims of a 150 gallon tank?

 

[reb]

Tank is about 6' x 2' x 2 1/2'.

 

[bobbravo2]

Here is what I would do with that setup. Admittedly you will not be able to reduce the refuge flow that much, this will give you a degree of control.
Also the tee in you return line is unnecessary - you're best off with as much flow as possible.
HTH
Bob

 

[mburnickas]

I would not have the ball value on the feed line over to the pump area. I would not even have that pipe, no need for it. The ball balve on the main feed line is fine though.
I would put a tee in on the return to main tank line. So a line would go to the main tank and one line back to pump area or fuge area. You want to balace the return pump. Some volume into fuge (xx) equals volume out (xx).
Just some FYI here Reb, more my small 75 gal tank my fuge holds 24 gal total and when it backflows it fills up like 10 to 12 gallons. Granted it is due to the drilled hole height but you get the idea. You are jsut close to the max volume in the 20 gallon sump you want.

 

[reb]

So maybe what you are saying is a 29 gal tank for a sump and a 20 gal tank for a fuge would be a lot better? Question on a sand bed. Everywhere says to have a deep sand bed(4- inches) Would it work if I had about 2 inches in the main tank and a deep sand bed in the fuge?

 

[mburnickas]

I would say yes, the larger the better. Question for you, How does the water flow form the 29 to the 20? I am jsut concerned about the backflow from the main tank. (as you can see)
I think if, but wait, why would you do that? Just get some southdown playsand for the main tank and put in the 4". I got 200 lbs of arg sand for $17 and I will add some live sand and real live sand (pods, worms etc) when the time comes.
IMOA, I think you might have issues (slightly high rates) with main tank if you do this but it would work. Just need to keep an eye on.

 

[reb]

From the 29 gal return line there will be a T with a hose and ball valve going into the 20 gal fuge.

 

[mburnickas]

so on the 20 gal fuge that is where the return lines will be? I just ask agian because of the backflow. It will work just run some number to see how much is going to back flow.

 

[reb]

Yes I'm trying to figure that all out.