Is my sump design acceptable?

[Dan_00ryan]

I bought baffles to build a DIY sump. It’s a 29 gal and will be the sump for a 40 gallon reef. I have a HOB skimmer (AquaMaxx HOB 1.5). Here are the baffles



The right side will be where water enters, the middle a refugium, the left my return pump.

My plan is the have water drain into a filter sock and then have the skimmer hanging in the section where water enters. I am anticipating adding chemipure elite for the GFO / carbon [when necessary] but I’m entirely sure where I’ll add it. Any advice is appreciated. The baffles will be adjusted left to right a little more - I just put them in to show the anticipated order and height.

I’m not sure what I’ll do as far as dosing goes when it’s necessary. I’m thinking about a HOB calcium reaction like the AquaMaxx C-Tech T-NANO. I’d probably also put that in the section with the skimmer or refugium.

[bribo12]

Looks fine to me. Only thing I wonder is I’m curious why you didn’t design it to have the first chamber be large enough to fit a skimmer? But That hob skimmer looks pretty good so if you’re ok with it then a big fuge should help a lot.

On the reactor what kind of reef are you planning? Softy dominated? Lps/softies? Mixed? SPS/Acro dominated? Calcium reactors can be a blessing but also a curse as they can nuke a tank especially one that small.

[Dan_00ryan]

Originally Posted by bribo12

Looks fine to me. Only thing I wonder is I’m curious why you didn’t design it to have the first chamber be large enough to fit a skimmer? But That hob skimmer looks pretty good so if you’re ok with it then a big fuge should help a lot.

On the reactor what kind of reef are you planning? Softy dominated? Lps/softies? Mixed? SPS/Acro dominated? Calcium reactors can be a blessing but also a curse as they can nuke a tank especially one that small.

I already own the HOB and didn’t want to shell out of the money for a new one.. otherwise I’d probably go with an internal one. More room I guess.

I’m thinking of a mixed reef. Honestly I’ll probably end up going with two-part but I’m put off by the lack of trace elements and accounting for salinity.

[Dan_00ryan]

Originally Posted by bribo12

Looks fine to me. Only thing I wonder is I’m curious why you didn’t design it to have the first chamber be large enough to fit a skimmer? But That hob skimmer looks pretty good so if you’re ok with it then a big fuge should help a lot.

On the reactor what kind of reef are you planning? Softy dominated? Lps/softies? Mixed? SPS/Acro dominated? Calcium reactors can be a blessing but also a curse as they can nuke a tank especially one that small.

I already own the HOB and didn’t want to shell out of the money for a new one.. otherwise I’d probably go with an internal one. More room I guess.

I’m thinking of a mixed reef. Honestly I’ll probably end up going with two-part but I’m put off by the lack of trace elements and accounting for salinity.

[Sniperhank]

I used old magazines under the elevated baffle while the silicone dries. That and tape if necessary.

[Dan_00ryan]

Originally Posted by Sniperhank

I used old magazines under the elevated baffle while the silicone dries. That and tape if necessary.

Is this just to keep the silicon from making a mess? Thank you!

[Sniperhank]

No, just keeping things in place until the silicone is dry.