sump/fuge question

JimmyS · #1 01/03/2008, 12:19 PM

I am getting ready to make my sump using a standard 75 gallon tank. My plans are to have a refugium, a return and a skimmer section with the return section in the middle. The refugium will have cheato and a DSB around 6". The display tank will only have a 1-2" sandbed.

I'm thinking that I will benifit more with a larger fuge section (like half the volume) and then split the return and skimmer sections with what is left.

What are your opinions?

TIA

RoGeTa · #2 01/03/2008, 12:57 PM

As long as the retun area isn't toooo small it sounds good. My return is half of a 20 gallon, and wish it was bigger. The water level drops to fast for my liking.

mskohl · #3 01/03/2008, 01:01 PM

It's up to you and what you prefer. If you add an auto top-off, then a smaller return area isn't too bad, otherwise, you'll feel like you are adding water all the time.

As far as the skimmer section goes, make sure the skimmer will fit and will have a tall enough water column.

_Sooner_2 · #4 01/03/2008, 02:14 PM

Jimmy,

What skimmer did you go with? If a recirculating type, you dont really need to worry about the size of the skimmer section, or the depth there. If a sump-feed type, as Stephanie says, your water depth is important also. Shallow water for that type skimmer will reduce it's effectiveness. (at least it did for me)

Other than that, as long as you have enough spare volume for the tank to drain into, the fuge size is whatever you prefer.

Was good seeing you at WetPets last weekend, I wish we could have visited. Although it might be a hidden blessing for you that we didn't get to yack as I've been down with the flu since the weekend.

Take care,
Ronnie

JimmyS · #5 01/03/2008, 03:50 PM

I ended up getting a used G3 for really cheap. It is not modded, yet. I want to see what it performs like before I start cutting extra holes in it.

The water depth in the skimmer section will be 12". The operating depth for the G3 is 8-10", if it does not perform well in 12" I figured I could raise it some.

I do plan on having an auto topoff, I just have to figure out where I am going to put the reservoir.

mskohl · #6 01/03/2008, 04:42 PM

I have the G3 as well. The pump and nozzle take up quite a bit more room than I expected. It's a tight fit, but it's in there.

We have a closet behind the tank, so I drilled a small hole in the base of the wall and ran a small tube through and connected it to a stock tank auto top off. My resovoir is a 55g barrel with a hole drilled and a spiggot silliconed in.