Fuge setup help digram included.....

[jumpincactus]

I am ever closer each day. A friend just gave me a perfectly good 40 gallon glass tank that I would like to add to my system as a fuge. As you will see from my awesome artwork via a paint program :roll: You will begin to get an idea what I am shooting for. As noted the closet where I will house the 40 is approx 4 feet away from show tank. For the sump the setup came with a 20 gall EcoSump and it is going to be running a EuroReef skimmer not sure what model yet. So basically I will use the as purchased Ecosump to house the skimmer. I want to add the 40 and am not real sure how to go about it.

What would be the best way to set it up/ Run water from 40 to maintank or run it back into the sump/skimmer??? Also what type of pump would you all recommend. I am just having a hard time visualising how it should all come togehter. I am wondering too how to rate the pump so I have a balance and am not pulling or pushing more water and creating a flood.

I am open to suggestions. I like the idea of being able to add 40 plus gallons to my system...... Please excuse the artwork in my paint just wanted to give you all a sort of the lay of the land.

 

[Anonymous]

I would dring from the main tank to the fuge then drain the fuge to the sump. You need to be careful the sump can handle all the drain off. An Idea would be to make the top of the sump and the top of the fuge the same height and run the fuge a little shallow. 5 to 6 inches off the top of me head. This would give that much extra space to catch the drain water. No extra pump required.

 

[jumpincactus]

That might just work... Still open to more ideas fellas keep em coming

Thx Mark

 

[Sponge_Bob]

Unless you are willing/able to drill a hole at the bottom side glass of the fuge and sump, not to mention drill through the closet wall, put some bulkheads and pipe the whole thing, have proper baffles placement, you are looking at a good chance of flooding your place. If not, you will have to use a pump... and that usually is a pretty good way to mess it up real good when the power goes out. I'd use much caution with this plan.

Furthermore, you have to thing of how this setup will look, how much noise it will generate as well. Don't think you can drain a Tank sideways through a wall, into a closet, back to a sump without looking somewhat "industrial" and noisy as well.

Maybe someone more experienced can supply you with a solution. I have one, but you wouldn't like it for it would cost you an arm and a leg in float switches and protections against flooding. I would certainly not do it. Sorry if that's not what you wanted to hear but I have great concerns for the safety of your tank and apt/house with such a plan.

 

[jumpincactus]

This is exactly why I wanted to throw it out for discussion. I would rather hear something I didn't like and learn from it rather than show no humility and go off half cocked and rig something that could very well cause a small catastrophe........... thanx for your input

 

[trido]

Simply plum it as if your refuge was next to your sump. Use excess flow from your return pump into the fuge. You can move the water up hill that way. Drill a bulk head in the side of the fuge near the top. Silicone a DIY over flow in the fuge to keep your algea from plugging your drain line. then when the power goes out you only have a few gallons run from the fuge into sump. Make sure you use at least 1.5" drain line at a minimum of 1/8" foot drop (code) 1/4" per foot is ideal. As Wazzel said, Just make sure the sump is high enough that it doesnt overflow when power goes out. Cut any holes needed in your wall and remember "If you cant Tape sheetrock well, just sand more" any one with some sort of DIY nack can sheetrock patch. Or you can wait till I move to Seattle and hire me. :lol:
AS I am a plumber,electrician,sheetrocker,painter,etc,etc. I am considering flying across country to help all of my fellow hobbyists out with their needs. NO Seriously. It should work just fine.

 

[Anonymous]

Having it remote you really con not get away from a some what industrial look. To cover the pipes you can put a bookshelf or small table in front of the pipe. As far as the drilling, not much you can do to get around that with the layout you have shown. As far as the flooding. It would be the least of my worries. Keep the tops of the fuge and the sump at the same level. Water will seak it's own level and the only extra water to worry about would be the tank drain. If you run the fuge a little low it would actually give you a bit of a cussion. THinking about it. Have you considered putting the fuge in a small table/bookshelf next to the tank? You would not have to drill you closet that way and the pipes would not have to be as long. God luck in whatever you choose.

 

[Sponge_Bob]

One other note you might want to consider, lighting. Your fuge will require lighting. I'm sure you don't have a plug inside your closet...well, that would surprise me if you do. Secondly, you will have to also consider moisture. A 40 gallon tank in a closed small space like a closet will get very humid and warm. These two factors combined are the best setting for mildew, not to mention possible structural damage caused by such a high humidity level.

You might want to consider moving the fuge out of the closet. First, it will be far more easier to pipe and will eliminate a couple of problems right off the bat. I'm not saying that taking the fuge out will make it anymore secure. I'm just saying that it will eliminate some problems such as the above mentioned and the some of the ones I raised in my previous post.

Regards,

 

[jumpincactus]

Well thanks all for the input all

Bob I am now thinking about the moisture issue as you stated. Being a painter by trade I could easily coat the interior of the closet with some industrial epoxy and that would help alleviate the moisture problem. I am not really concerned about the location I just thought out of site would keep the ghetto industrial look to a minimum.

But the fact remains that I have a 40 gallon tank and I really want to figure out a way to incorporate it as a fuge into my system for all of the obvious reasons.

I cant help but wonder when reading peoples tank specs how they pull off 100+ gallon sumps and fuges..........

 

[trido]

I can completely understand your wanting to use the 40G. But have you considered a DIY fuge out of acryilic? i wanted to get the most gallons as possible to with my new set up so I made a 31 gall for $100. It has a small foot print though. 16x20x24 tall. I know that you could hit TAP plastics and do yours for probably about 1/3 less. Or just use your 40 as sump/fuge in one.

 

[Anonymous]

Take the 20 gallon tank out

Put the 40 gallon tank in as a sump and divide off a portion of it for a fuge.

That way its all in one place, there is no extra plumbing and everone is happy.


THat is, if the 40 will fit in the stand....