Adding sump or refugium

[EELectric]

Basically this is just a thought, but is there anyway to add one or both of the items mentioned in the title to a tank that has been running for 2 years with a smooth transition. Remember it is a thought and No's are openly accepted. My stand really doesn't have much room and there is no space on the back of the tank for a HOB. TIA

 

[austinsdad]

What is underneath the stand now, and what are the available dimensions?

 

[angelscrx]

Yes you can. All based on the question asked about dimension. This question will give you an idea as what you can add. As far as a smooth transition goes I assume you mean "not interrupting the tanks notmal operation" right? Well that sort of depends too. You can do a simple over the wall siphon and a submersible pump for water movement which doesn't require you to drill anything and would have very littel impact to the tank. just my opinion.

 

[EELectric]

Nothing is underneath the stand except a wavemaker and other items that can go somewhere else (such as boxes of my appliances) . The reason there isn't much space is because there is a divider going down the middle splitting the stand into two sides. About the siphon I'm pretty sure this is risky right, because of the chance of an overflow or spill or something of that matter? I have an 10 gal long tank that is laying around, could that be used for any kind of DIY project? Just trying to collect some ideas. Thanks!

 

[ryguy]

siphon style overflows aren't as "risky" as the powerhead driven overflows. Once you gain a solid understanding how it all works and implement "safeties," then the risk is really diminished so your worry goes away.

 

[seaham358]

post a pic, is this a 55 if not what size tank..

 

[EELectric]

This is a 55, but I can't really post a pic, sorry. How would a siphon setup work? TIA

 

[ryguy]

It's pretty simple.

You could go with a hang-on overflow box that pulls water from your display and sends it to your sump. Then you need to buy a pump rated slightly above what your overflow is rated for.

The basic concept is that the pump returns the water at the rate the siphon pulls it out. The complication occurs if your pump is too strong for the overflow....but that's why you place a gated valve after the pump to control the flow back to the tank. (never place a valve before the pump though, that will destroy it).

Your overflow will never siphon faster than the pump, it can only match it provided the pumps' flow doesn't exceed the overflows rating.

Your next concern is power failure. When the power goes out, all the water in your plumbing will fall back into the sump. The overflow will stop siphoning, inherent in its design, but will not break the siphon. They are designed to restart automatically when the power returns. (powerhead driven ones require the PH to keep the siphon and can be more risky during a power failure) I would definetely opt for something like a www.lifereef.com overflow (called prefilter boxes on their site).

Now the tricky part is that the RETURN plumbing will start to back siphon on a power failure. It will continue to suck water out of your display tank and overflow your sump unless you utilise siphon-breaks or have your return plumbing only just slightly submerged.

Once air is introduced into the plumbing, the siphon is broken. So.....as water is being back-siphoned out of your display, it will stop once the level drops just below the top portion of your return pipe. Or, if your want your returns submerged more, you drill a small hole in the pipes just below the surface in the display tank. The water level will drop and expose the hole (siphon-break), introduce air and stop the back-siphon.

You need to run your sump/fuge at a level that will accomodate all the water currently in the plumbing (overflow side, and return side), and amount that will be back-siphoned.

That's the "long and short" of the "long and short" of it.

hope that makes sense.

Ryan

 

[EELectric]

I decided that if I were to do this I would only want a refugium because the rest of my appliances are HOB. I really don't have that much space on the back maybe 5-6 in. but the HOB area on my tank is also very limited with a skimmer and a filter already there. Is there anything I can still do with all of this limited space. TIA

 

[ryguy]

Another benefit of having a sump is that it gives you a place to store all the unsightly equipment you mentioned.

You place your skimmer, heaters, filters, thermometers etc ALL in the sump. Hidden away from all to see.

You then are left with only the overflow box off of the back and the return plumbing. The tank then only has the powerheads in it, with some evidence of the return plumbing as well, (white 90 degree pvc elbows).

Under your tank will be the "brains" behind your operation.

 

[EELectric]

Do you think with about only 6 inches max behind my tank and about 8-10 in of HOB space on my tank that would still work. Or are you saying move my HOB appliances to the sump. I'm sorry the whole idea of a sump is just a little confusing to me. Also is a 10 gal tank useable in any of this. Thanks a bunch!

 

[stuffer]

I have a 55 that was running for 3 years as a fish only then I went to a reef setup about a year ago. I have a hard time with nitrates so I decided to set up a 10 gallon refugium under the tank. I too have an oak stand that is divided. the 10 gal tank sits perfectly underneath (once you figure it out). I have a 600 GPH spill box (Ebay) and made the dividers out of 1/8 plexiglass. works very well. I have chaeto in the sump with live sand and rock. so I know it can be done and not cost a fortune. 10 gal. is a little small for the application, but as they say, the more natural filtration the better, and this is really an extention of the main tanks filtration.

 

[ryguy]

Do you think with about only 6 inches max behind my tank and about 8-10 in of HOB space on my tank that would still work. Or are you saying move my HOB appliances to the sump. I'm sorry the whole idea of a sump is just a little confusing to me. Also is a 10 gal tank useable in any of this. Thanks a bunch!

I think you'll be fine with that space behind the tank to install the overflow and the return plumbing.

If thoughtfully planned out, you should be able to move all your HOB stuff to the sump. Using a 10G will be tight, but it may work. You may also have to raise the sump slightly to allow the HOB equipment to properly sit on the edge of the sump.

I'll give you a couple pics of my sump/fuge to hopefully clarify the matter.

 

[EELectric]

Thanks Ryguy! Hey stuffer how bad were your nitrates because that is currently the only level that I am having trouble with? Also I may sound like a noob but what is a cheato? Thanks for the info, but please still keep it coming! TIA

 

[ryguy]

chaeto (chaetomorpha) is a type of of hair algae that grows in tangled clumps. It's a great choice for a fuge algae.

It's matrix provides an ideal place for pods to develop. And best of all is its aggressive nutrient export and ease to keep under control.

 

[Guest]

EElectric Sumps and fuges are really cool pieces of modern reef keeping filtration and are pretty much that standard nowadays. Dont feal threatened by the idea of making some changes, but I will have to agree with you in that at first it can seem overwhelming.

Here is a really cool sight that might show you a little more info and a lot of pics to help you in your decision.

http://www.melevsreef.com