what size sump/refugium do you have?

K

kpatrick

Guest
I have a 125g tank and was thinking about finally adding a sump/refugium. My LFS said he could make me a 30g refuge/sump that would work for my size tank. I would use the majority of the space for the refugium filled with cheato to help control algea in the display tank. Would a 30gallon be big enough to meet my needs? I plan on having the return pipe to the display tank "T" off and run to opposite corners of the tank shooting forward at a 45 degree angle (from back corner to center front) with some maxijet Powerheads for additional circulation attached to a Wavemaster. I will try to use 45 degree angles in the return lines instead of 90 degree turns to help maximize the flow. If a 30 gallon refuge/sump is big enough for my tank what size pump should I use and what size pipe for the return line? Keep in mind I dont need a ton of flow since I have the PHs to help with flow.
What size refuge/sumps do you have for your tank and how big is your display tank?
 
K

kpatrick

Guest
Wow
It used to be that a lot of people would respond to your questions but anymore it seems like everyone prefers to remain silent.:confused:
 
bot587

bot587

Member
I have a 15 gallon refugium on my 29 gallon tank... Its mostly live rock and live sand. Copepod growth.
 
squidd

squidd

Active Member
I reccomend 50% MT volume for FUGE on tanks under 100 gallons...
Then then 30-35% up to 180 gallon and 25% on larger systems...
Also keep in mind "footprint" is as (or more) important than just "gallonage"
Sump size needs to be concidered with "flow rate" to keep from having traveling bubble problems...
 
K

kpatrick

Guest
okay so if I only have room for a 30 gallon sump/fuge is it worth doing or not?
Thanks
 
nm reef

nm reef

Active Member
Yes...any sump/refugium can be a positive addition. But...in a 30 gal sump/refugium you may have way too much flow rate thru it to effectively have a refugium...in most cases the refugium needs to have a relatively low flow rate. If its possible try to have seperate containers...one for your sump another for your refugium. Then you could tee off your return line to feed the refugium and control the flow rate...which may make your refugium more effective. In addition with two containers you'd increase the water volume even more. Just an idea....
...by the way....my display is 100 gal...sump is 30 gal...and the refugium is the old 55 gal display...works very well for my application.
 
K

kpatrick

Guest
I was going to "t" off the return line and have a ball valve control the water flow into the refugium. However........
Here is a whole new thought. In my opinion I would rather have a refugium since I am wanting to control algea in the main tank. Maybe I dont need the sump as much since Im not wanting to add a skimmer or anything to the sump (they are fine in the main tank were they currently are). Can I get by with just a 30 gallon refugium? If so what size pump would you recommend and what size return line to the tank?? Would I use a normal overflow box as well? Would the refugium need baffles? sorry for all the questions but just wanna do it right in the limited space I have.
 
cholland

cholland

Member
I have a 55gal display with a 10gal fuge, no sump. I run my carbon with my old emporer and use my new aqua c remora!
 
K

kpatrick

Guest
cholland,
What size pump do you have running from your sump to your tank and what size pipes?
 
T

thomas712

Guest
90 gallon main/ 20 gallon sump/ 55 gallon refugium with chaeto and DSB.
 
diadema

diadema

Member
90 main/90 sump/100 gallon fuge/30 gallon xenia fuge.
Although the 100 fuge and 30 xenia are cycling seperately for now. I'll tie them into the sump in a couple months.
I wouldn't worry about the high flow though your sump/fuge, if your reason for the fuge is nitrate reduction. I think the main conern with low flow in a fuge is for pods. Chaeto shouldn't care about high flow.
 
K

kpatrick

Guest
I have several extra maxijet 1200s laying around that I dont use anymore. If normal flow is 295gph what would the flow be if I used one in my sump to move water 4 to 5 feet up into my display tank? Or is that not even feasable?
 
X

xoxox

Guest
55 tank, 18 gallon rubbermade sump (Rubbermade is the best when you have to size the sump to your stand; Its amazing how the 'decorative' aquarium stand can leave almost no room for a decent size sump.) I also have a 2 1/2 gallon old HOT fuge I converted into a sump compartment for carbon. I have about 12 total gallons of extra water volume.
 
J

jbk65

Guest
Ok 2 - 55 Gal Displays, with a 30 Gal Sump and 55 gal fuge shared between the two.
 
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