I have been over thinking the H#$L out of this and my brain has completely stopped working. But, because of the height needed for the skimmer it limits the height of the tank. Would it be possible to cut out an area from the side of the tank for the skimmer to sit? Would the baffles for the refugium dictate the water level or would it overflow from the cut out? I knew I should have paid more attention during science class and from the looks of my diagram, took an art class too!! Any other ideas? This is my first attempt at modifying or designing/making something like this.
Sump design?
- Thread starter ccso139
- Start date
I have been over thinking the H#$L out of this and my brain has completely stopped working. But, because of the height needed for the skimmer it limits the height of the tank. Would it be possible to cut out an area from the side of the tank for the skimmer to sit? Would the baffles for the refugium dictate the water level or would it overflow from the cut out? I knew I should have paid more attention during science class and from the looks of my diagram, took an art class too!! Any other ideas? This is my first attempt at modifying or designing/making something like this.
Alas, the height of the refugium will dictate the water level of the whole sump. The bottom the walls containing the refugium should both be "closed" (extended all the way to the bottom so things don't get washed out into the skimmer or pump sections). The height of this wall will determine the water level.
If you cut out a hole in the retaining walls, water will come out of these holes instead of the top of the wall (if the holes are big enough). But then the refugium's volume is decreased, and you increase the chance of debris/algae getting into areas of the sump you don't want them to go.
I prefer to have separate sumps and refugiums for this reason and also for servicability. My suggestion is to keep your sump a sump and forgo the refugium unless you have room for another refugium container.
If you cut out a hole in the retaining walls, water will come out of these holes instead of the top of the wall (if the holes are big enough). But then the refugium's volume is decreased, and you increase the chance of debris/algae getting into areas of the sump you don't want them to go.
I prefer to have separate sumps and refugiums for this reason and also for servicability. My suggestion is to keep your sump a sump and forgo the refugium unless you have room for another refugium container.
the first baffle from between the intake are and the refugium needs to be touching the bottom of the tank. the second is fine. the third needs to be lifted a bit to let the water run under, and the bubbles float to the top.
the sponge is unnesessary, and the live rock should be in the refugium chamber IMO.
the sponge is unnesessary, and the live rock should be in the refugium chamber IMO.
but your skimmer is in the first section..isn't it? how will you service your skimmer if it's crammed in there with a bunch of rock?
also- your skimmer needs to clean that water. i think the rock will act as a detrius trap in the first compartment.
also- your skimmer needs to clean that water. i think the rock will act as a detrius trap in the first compartment.
mr_X":3l79zdbo said:
At the height that the skimmer is sitting, there is space underneath for a bit of liver rock....not a lot, but maybe 5 or 10 pounds. I already have about that much that came w/ the system that I bought. Could be of no real use, but just a thought...
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