Sump/refugium Design

[Michele]

So I am attempting to build my own sump/refugium for my 75g I just bought.
I am building it out of a 40g breeder that is 36"x18"x16" the baffles will be 1/4" cut glass and there will be a 2" space between baffles (easier to get my hand in to clean).
Any help or criticism would be appreciated, I just want to get it right before I start to silicone everything and have to pull it apart.

Thanks

 

[Sewerat]

The skimmer side will end up holding the water level of your refugium at 10"

 

[bart84]

I have the same sump set up for my 75. I would take out the second bubble trap, it's not needed. Use the space for extra fuge space.

 

[Michele]

The width of that chamber is 9.5", the baffle is 11' high, will that be high enough for the skimmer?
Sorry I should have wrote beside those measurements that they are the width of the chambers.

 

[Michele]

I have the same sump set up for my 75. I would take out the second bubble trap, it's not needed. Use the space for extra fuge space.

So it flows over into the pump return? Just a single baffle?

 

[bart84]

Most skimmers like the water between 6" and 9". You can always put an eggcrate basket under it to raise it up

 

[bart84]

Yes. I definitely like how your bubble trap is 2" gaps. That's where I screwed up. It's hard to clean

 

[Michele]

Yes. I definitely like how your bubble trap is 2" gaps. That's where I screwed up. It's hard to clean

What are your baffle heights?

 

[bart84]

Also keep in mind that you want to leave enough air space in the event of a power outage. The tank will drain some water through the return any syphon depending on your drain system.

 

[bart84]

Mine are 11 but I had to raise my skimmer. I wanted the depth for the fuge and to carry the water height through to the return so it won't run dry.

 

[Michele]

There will be about a 5" space

 

[bart84]

About that. I just don't know how your tank is set up for drains and return. That's why I mentioned it. When the power goes out for me, I have about 1.5" left in the sump once it's done draining. I have a perfecto reef ready corner overflow drilled to bean animal. So my full syphon is at half the height of the overflow box and my returns are right at the top

 

[Michele]

Mine are 11 but I had to raise my skimmer. I wanted the depth for the fuge and to carry the water height through to the return so it won't run dry.

Thank you, feeling a bit more confident to get started...didn't want to pay out $500 for an already made one

 

[Michele]

About that. I just don't know how your tank is set up for drains and return. That's why I mentioned it. When the power goes out for me, I have about 1.5" left in the sump once it's done draining. I have a perfecto reef ready corner overflow drilled to bean animal. So my full syphon is at half the height of the overflow box and my returns are right at the top

I have a pre drilled 75g corner flow that will be converted into a herbie with a return over the top, hope I explained that right.

 

[bart84]

it's all good. I love my sump. Like i said the only thing I would change is the gap between the the bubble trap.

One other thing to keep in mind is what your skimmer footprint is.

 

[bart84]

I know exactly what tank your using, same as mine. I had mine drilled with two extra holes, one for an emerge and a return on the opposite end.

 

[Michele]

One other thing to keep in mind is what your skimmer footprint is.

I looked that up and even if I wanted to upgrade to the co-2 I will have enough room.

 

[bart84]

Ok that's good

 

[Michele]

I have had lot of great advice to do the same.

 

[Michele]

Do you have a tank build in the forum?