New to saltwater need some help

[Bsnow0410]

if I'm not mistaken, those proflex sumps have no room for a refugium AND a skimmer....it's either one or the other. The benefit of a good skimmer far outweighs a 10" x 14" refugium.
You are better off building your own out of a standard aquarium.

I've seen videos of people with a skimmer and a refugium but I could be mistaken. But I guess I should stop rushing every thing. My first step is to build a nice but not to nice stand.

 

[Sniperhank]

I've seen videos of people with a skimmer and a refugium but I could be mistaken. But I guess I should stop rushing every thing. My first step is to build a nice but not to nice stand.

I tried a proflex on my first tank. Is there room for a skimmer and a fuge? Yes. Is it tiny on both ends, which negates the purpose? Yes. Along with that, it was expensive compared to when I build my own for about 50 bucks. Little did I know when I DIY'd it that I could have use plastic bins instead of a tank and that would have put the price better in my favor then too...for more water too!

 

[Diesel84]

I have been looking at ADHI sumps. They have wet/dry and refugium sumps to act for up to a 300gal display. They seem to have plenty of room to fit skimmer, refugium and return. Plus they come with lighting. Can be a bit pricey but they get good reviews

 

[Sniperhank]

Just make your own for a fraction or the price. Water trough from tractor supply would work well.

 

[Bsnow0410]

Just make your own for a fraction or the price. Water trough from tractor supply would work well.

Yea I think that's what I'm gunna do. Seems a lot easier and cheaper.

 

[mr_X]

You can probably fit a 20 long in your tank stand. Partition it with 10" tall glass partitions (a glass shop will make them cheap) and make 3 sections (intake with skimmer, refugium, return, in that order) make the intake section about 11", and the return section big enough to fit your return pump (a mag drive 7 or similar).

 

[mr_X]

Here is your skimmer. ....it's a beast-
Bubble Magus BM 180EX Protein Skimmer Brand New | eBay

 

[Bsnow0410]

Here is your skimmer. ....it's a beast-
Bubble Magus BM 180EX Protein Skimmer Brand New | eBay

Haha ok thanks man I'm gunna take your advice it looks like a nice one. I can't wait

 

[Diesel84]

That skimmer will work up to 396 gal?

 

[Bsnow0410]

You can probably fit a 20 long in your tank stand. Partition it with 10" tall glass partitions (a glass shop will make them cheap) and make 3 sections (intake with skimmer, refugium, return, in that order) make the intake section about 11", and the return section big enough to fit your return pump (a mag drive 7 or similar).

Yea I actually have a 20 long that I'm gunna use. So I need 4 10" glass partitions right and I know I have to put one like 2" from the bottom and one at the bottom about 2"? Apart? Not sure

 

[mr_X]

That skimmer will work up to 396 gal?

Not quite. The manufacturers ratings on most skimmers are a bit loose. I would say a 150 gallon tank would be ok...

 

[mr_X]

Yea I actually have a 20 long that I'm gunna use. So I need 4 10" glass partitions right and I know I have to put one like 2" from the bottom and one at the bottom about 2"? Apart? Not sure

You only need 3. 1 between the intake and refugium, one after the refugium, and one about an inch away and an inch up after that.

 

[Bsnow0410]

You only need 3. 1 between the intake and refugium, one after the refugium, and one about an inch away and an inch up after that.

Ok thanks for the info much appreciated.

 

[Bsnow0410]

So I decided I'm not gunna do a refugium yet in this 20 long I'm gunna build a tank for it. This is what I have so far done.

 

[Bsnow0410]

I got my over built and painted and also painted the back of the tank. Waiting on the materials so I can have my woodworking friend build a nice stand for it for me haha

 

[mr_X]

Drill that tank! Don't use a HOB siphon overflow.
Drilling GH

 

[Bsnow0410]

Drill that tank! Don't use a HOB siphon overflow.
Drilling GH

Hahah you keep saying that. I just don't wanna break it...I'll ask the LFS if they do it and I'll take it to them

 

[Bsnow0410]

Drill that tank! Don't use a HOB siphon overflow.
Drilling GH

I've been looking up a bunch of videos it does really seem that hard they are some pretty thick piece of glass so I should be good...I hope...

 

[Bsnow0410]

Where should I drill the holes at in the tank then? I know I've seen two and one so I'm not sure?

 

[Bsnow0410]

I would not use a HOB overflow. Just drill the tank. It's super easy. Like said on the previous page, buy a glass holes overflow kit.
Overflow Box 1500 GPH
They come wit the bit and everything you need.

Definitely gunna go with this. It's perfect.