want to add a refugium/sump.

[michael_t]

Hello gang. I am looking for a little education and suggestions in the area of refugium/sumps.
I have a 60 gal non drilled acrylic tank and want to add a refugium/sump.
Some features of the refugium that I would like are…
-An overflow to skim the surface of the water.
-Cheato and Xenia to remove nitrates and add pods for Mandarin .
-Sump compartment for existing skimmer to remove unsightly micro bubbles.
-An extra compartment for an instant quarantine area. The idea that I could turn a knob and fill a small area with idenitical tank water. Eliminates acclimation for current fishes or provides establish tank water that new fish will need to acclimate to. I guess I would need two knobs. One for a drip method and the other for large volume transfer.
What are my options?
What are the pros and cons of going drilled.
Pros and cons of not drilling.
Should I DIY or buy ready made. (I am always looking to save money.)
I look forward to your suggestions and comments.
Michael
--EDITS. Changed Third compartment to extra compartment.

 

[dmjordan]

Originally Posted by michael_t
-A third compartment for an instant quarantine area. The idea that I could turn a knob and fill a small area with idenitical tank water. Eliminates acclimation for current fishes or provides establish tank water that new fish will need to acclimate to. I guess I would need two knobs. One for a drip method and the other for large volume transfer.Michael
this idea won't work. a quarentine tank needs to be a seperate tank. a sump refugium gets water from and feeds water back to your main tank. if you introduce a sick fish or treat a sick fish into the third compartment of a sump attached to your main tank it will effect your main tank. you can usually get a 10 gal set up for $50.00 or if you have a extra heater and filter laying around a 10 tank only will be like $10.00.

 

[michael_t]

I guess I didn't explain myself properly. The extra area will be unused, non integral section of the sump/refugium. It can be "turned on" by a valve and be ready at a moments notice. I.E. you turn the valve, the chamber fills up with water from the sump. When you're finished you siphon the QT portion and disgard the water. That will be the only time it is used.

 

[dmjordan]

still think a seperate tank would be a better idea. in your scenario you will still need a filter and heater and hope no water from the third area leaks into the other sections of the sump. a sump refugium usually needs all three section. 1 section for where the overflow drains water from tank into sump, 1 section for a refugium, and 1 section for your return pump.

 

[sign guy]

Originally Posted by michael_t
Hello gang.hi I am looking for a little education and suggestions in the area of refugium/sumps.
I have a 60 gal non drilled acrylic tank and want to add a refugium/sump.
Some features of the refugium that I would like are…
-An overflow to skim the surface of the water.
-Cheato and Xenia to remove nitrates and add pods for Mandarin .I would not add both
-Sump compartment for existing skimmer to remove unsightly micro bubbles.
-An extra compartment for an instant quarantine area. The idea that I could turn a knob and fill a small area with idenitical tank water. Eliminates acclimation for current fishes or provides establish tank water that new fish will need to acclimate to. I guess I would need two knobs. One for a drip method and the other for large volume transfer.bad idea a qt needs to be clean water
What are my options?
What are the pros and cons of going drilled. go with what you gotPros and cons of not drilling.
Should I DIY or buy ready made. (I am always looking to save money.)diy

I look forward to your suggestions and comments.
Michael
bottom line drilled and overflow boxes do not have enough diff imo to make a diff go with what you have. chanses are your tank is temperd alredy
--EDITS. Changed Third compartment to extra compartment.
what kind of pump are you going to use? and what kind of skimmer do you have?

 

[michael_t]

Sign guy, You are saying don't drill?
My skimmer is a CoralLife 125.

 

[sign guy]

skimmer is good and I would not drill if you alredy have the tank. IMO drilled is better but the bottom of your tank is probably temperd and its not worth it just get an overflow box

 

[michael_t]

I think I have found the info I was looking for on another post. Acrylic suggestted this website, melevsreef dot com.
SignGuy, Thanks for your help as well.