Building a sump/refugium

[Steve silbernagel]

Looking for direction on building a refugium for my 55 gal. I got a 10 gal. ready to go and a lead on 1/4 sheeet glass cut to my dimensions. Just not sure what equipment and size to go with.

 

[AquaRick]

The size/length of your baffles will be determined by the size of your heater and skimmer etc.

 

[Steve silbernagel]

I don't have a heater and I currently have a super skimmer 220 but I might trade it in for a 125 bc I think it might be too big.

 

[Steve silbernagel]

How do u measure it

 

[crister13]

You can't have a skimmer that's too big. I would recommend trading for a different brand of skimmer. Coralife isn't vey good at making skimmers at all. You measure it with a ruler, meter stick, tape measure, whatever you want.

 

[Steve silbernagel]

How do I know what is the rite size for the baffles. I was thinking one double bubble trap before the refugium and a single chamber after it leading into the return

 

[Steve silbernagel]

Well I'm stuck with the super skimmer. But will it work?

 

[Sniperhank]

It will "work" yes. I also have a garbage skimmer, a seaclone. It does ok...but getting a better one would be best.

In terms of building a sump, get the 55 and gather up what you have. Then once you measure everything out you can draw it up pretty easy. That is how I did my 20 long. I have 10 inch sections in it with tons of room for what I need.

 

[Steve silbernagel]

Yea buddy my overflow just showed up. Now it's time to get the glass cut for my baffles and silicone them in. All that's missing is a mag 9.5 pump a f'in 115$ at my LFS

 

[Steve silbernagel]

Mag 9.5 is on its way eBay $86 new

 

[Steve silbernagel]

Figured it out what do u think. 20L on a 55 gal

Sorry it's hard to see

 

[Steve silbernagel]

So I think I'm almost ready to get started listed below is my parts list so far.

20L
220 CL super skimmer
600 gph HOB overflow
Mag 9.5 (7-8 ft head pressure)
1" PVC pipe and elbows and a ball valve for my return
Large tube of Aqueon silicon

But I'm not sure about using glass or acrylic both equal out to the same cost although the acrylic is a little more but there extra left over. Plz chime in with any advice.

 

[Ingy]

Acrylic glue and glass silicon don't stick we'll to the other one. Can make it difficult to glue glass baffles in an acrylic tank or Visa versa. If its a glass tank I'd stick to glass baffles.

 

[Steve silbernagel]

Thx I see a lot of people use acrylic maybe bc it's easier. I'm gonna go with glass for the long term durability

 

[Grizz]

+1 for glass. I used acrylic and it split 2 bubble traps, good idea might be overkill you could lose one pane on the right and gain a bit more room

 

[Steve silbernagel]

The way it sits I got 7.25 on the intake 10 on the refugium and 8 on the return. Tank is 12" wide inside and 12" tall

 

[Grizz]

Is 7.25 enough room for your skimmer? Also you can go down to .5" between panes

 

[Steve silbernagel]

I think so but if not I can just shrink my return and shift everything down. I'm still waiting on the glass hopefully tomorrow on that.

 

[Steve silbernagel]

.5 in pretty tight to silicon. Can I get away with sealing one side. I thought about .75 bc I can still work the silicon. From my blueprint if I shirk down to .75 from 1" I'll gain .75" on my refugium or intake. Still up in the air

 

[Grizz]

I siliconed just one side on mine and have had no problems Dont shrink the return as thats where all your evaporation will show i try to make that as large as i can