Blog Comments

overflow>filter sock>frag tank>/skimmer>//>return pump and fuge pump/<fuge and mangroves/<ATS

that's a perfect solution, I didn't think about having a split sump. This is exactly why I post plans on RA. Doing a sketchup now.

How far down could you pull the skimmer? Could you run it like this:

Filter sock -> frag area -> skimmer -(bubble trap)> split return <- chaeto/mangroves

Ball valve some of the return over to the chaeto/mangroves section with a higher baffle that will overflow from that refugium back into the return section as well. That way your skimmer is getting water without pods and your refugium can be whatever flow you would like. You still would need to block frag section lighting from getting to your skimmer, so I would use some black acrylic for that baffle.

By the way... if there's anything wrong with that idea let me know. I want to get this big tank plumbing thing really figured out! :-) Also... I'll always be a big fan of dual return pumps. If one ever goes down you're at least still running at half flow.

Forgot to add there will be LR right after the skimmer and before the return for extra filtration which would add some extra pods heading into the DT.

I wish I could put the skimmer before the fuge, but there just isn't enough room after I raise the skimmer to the optimal water level of 9 inches. To what degree do you think the skimmer will affect the pod popualtion entering the DT? I didn't think about the ATS putting off microbubbles, but that's a really good point. I'll probably add a small baffle at the end of the sump after the return to aide in reducing bubbles. I realize that I'll have to clean the skimmer often; my current setup also has the fuge and skimmer next to each other. It's a little extra time, but I would probably need to clean it out just as often for regular pump cleaning maintenance, the algae will just remind me.

It's coming along nicely and is built like a tank.

I don't like the skimmer where it is, but frankly no matter where you put it in that set up it will export pods. If you put it in the first section (labeled Cheato fuge), it would get first shot at the most nutrients, it would have less chance of sending microbubbles into the return zone, and not affect the pod population.

You can put your carbon in the final (return) zone, but the ATS may cause microbubbles as well. That's something you'll have to tweak.

Lastly, with the refugium, frag section and ATS all being lit up, your skimmer is going to grow algae within. Cleaning it often is going to be needed, probably 4x a year.

That's one of the reasons why I decided to add mangroves to the sump. I should be able to keep up with the maintenance if I can remember to clean the sides of the sump when I clean the DTs. All three sections will be bare bottom and the last section will be emptied once a week for water changes, so I'm not to worried about detritus building up.

Cool, the mangroves will be a nice decoration touch (apart from their usefulness). Seems like it will be key that you keep the sump clean, so the whole thing looks great.

very cool can't wait to see how it turns out!

DIY LED's all the way, even for the refugium. The sump will be the same dimensions as the bottom of the stand for a claen and simple overall appearance. No doors for hiding equipment because electrical and top-off will be on the other side of the wall.

I second the Sweeeeeeet, is the sump supposed to go in the base of the stand?

Sweeeeeeet. I love seeing projects from design to completion. What did you end up deciding for the lighting? :-)

return what you bought and go do it all over again! lol

I'll try, but I forgot to take my camera to Lowe's today

Keeps us posted and take lots of pictures of everything....I want pictures of you in the store buying to the finished product! good luck!

Thanks guys,

I'm a little worried about having enough space on both sides, but the scape is going to be minimalist with very few rocks in the DT fuge and an island style in the cube. That's why I'm adding more LR in the sump. Plus if I changed the width I would have to get a bigger cube! And yes, Matt guessed it, I forgot to mention the LED's will all be on the same level either on the ceiling or close beneath. All 3 LED fixtures will have different optic sizes, probably 40, 60, and 80. The LED's for the other fuge, frag tank, and algae scrubber will be hidden in the top part of the stand making the lights very clean and unnoticeable.

I love it. The only things I would suggest would first of all be to try to go wider with the tanks since they are being viewed from both sides. One inch of clearance on each side to get a mag float on the glass only leaves 10 useable inches in the tanks. As much thought as you've put into these I'm sure you've realized that, but this is coming from a guy who has a12 inch and wishes he had more room.

The other question is about the LEDs... you might be able to get by with the bar level across the entire fixture over the tank with multiple optics sizes. That would be sweeeeeeeet!

The concept looks AMAZING! :-)

That sounds real neat. Question, will the lighting for the lower tanks get in the way of viewing the upper tanks? Not sure how high each fixture will be off the surface of each tank. However, that idea sounds really fantastic.

Gotta love a project