My first sump/fuge project

specopsteam · #1 10/07/2007, 02:52 PM

So im sick of my UGF HOB and canister filter because they are a nightmare in keeping my nitrate in check. I just bought a new 75 gal tank and im doing my first sump/fuge project. Im not sure how im doing it and im looking for input. My options are wide open, i dont even know where im drilling my holes yet. its a 75 gal tank with a 55 gal sump/fuge. Im not sure if im drilling my holes in the back corners or the middle, top or bottom its all in the air! When it comes to the sump/fuge i dont have much room so it all needs to fit in the 55 gal if its doable.

The only option ive seen from looking at others sump/fuges is:
1: Sump then baffles then fuge then overflow to a return pump

2: Sump then return then fuge both with overflows to the middle for return

Does anyone have any other ideas for a creative sump/fuge to go in a 55 gal? Or with one of the above is the best way to go this is my first sump/fuge project and all the info out there is overwhelming lol any help would be wonderful so i dont mess two tanks up and end up with a bad setup

jdkackley · #2 10/07/2007, 04:38 PM

I like option number 1. That's how I did my proclear pro150 on my 55.

baldgeek · #3 10/07/2007, 05:49 PM

FWIW, mine is done like #1, but with 3 chambers. Virtually 0 microbubbles go back into the tank. I would have preferred to have my skimmer in that leftmost chamber as well and have the feed pump in the return area, but I do not have enough room, so the skimmer is in the return area as well. Also, because my seahorse tank is also plumbed into the reef system, I have a pump that feeds the seahorse tank located in the return (middle) chamber and the overflow from the seahorse tank feeds the right chamber which is a fuge area.

specopsteam · #4 10/07/2007, 06:36 PM

baldgeek do you have a picture of your setup? Number 1 has three chambers a intake with a skimmer baffles then a fuge then a overflow to a return pump. or do you have a different set up i would love new ideas and set ups

baldgeek · #5 10/07/2007, 08:14 PM

I can see if I can take a pic of it or at least do up a diagram. Basically, the sump is a 12"-ish high 45G tank with overflows draining into a filter sock on the leftmost side. There is a set of baffles with a sponge to get rid of the bubbles. The main return pump is a Dolphin Ampmaster which is outside. The pumps for the skimmer, skimmer, and feed pump to the seahorse tank are all in the middle chamber. The rightmost chamber is separated by a 10" piece of plexi so that is acts as a fuge section. Has a light and is fed by the seahorse tank. Seems to work very well. Kalk and calc feeds go into the leftmost chamber.

baldgeek · #6 10/07/2007, 08:16 PM

Oh, I did forget to mention that the feed pump and return line for the skimmer are also located in the middle section. I got a little crowded in there, so I build a 4" or so platform on which the skimmer sits. If the sump were a foot or so longer, I would be all set, but if it were any longer, I would really have a helluva time even getting under the stand.

baldgeek · #7 10/07/2007, 08:21 PM

Dang it, I mean feed and return for the chiller.

specopsteam · #8 10/08/2007, 05:09 AM

That sounds interesting. Im not sure how i like the idea of having a return pump outside the tank. What was the reason for you doing this? was it just based on the room you had?

baldgeek · #9 10/08/2007, 07:07 AM

No, it's an external pump.
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_Aquari...es_aqua_sea_sp

For larger pumps, I am not sure there is really any alternative. They also do not add as much heat to the water and it saves a couple of elbows in the plumbing.