Refugium Design - Need advise

[jaded]

I have a stand that will house my 90 gallon aquarium as a huge sump for the 135. I'm going to have to house the skimmer in the sump do to obvious space issues with this setup. I'd like to trade the 90 for a sump/fuge that would fit better but I doubt that will happen so...

In my experience a skimmer that is in the sump is constantly out of "tune" due to evaporation changing the level of water in the sump. I'd like to design a sump that has a constant water level chamber. I'm not very good at figuring aout what will happen once the water starts flowing so I thought I'd ask the experts

Below is a basic layout... I thought with a little guidance I could come up with something that will work... otherwise I guess I'll have to chuck the whole 90 idea

[6LINE]

You will probably want to put the 'fuge at the end (right side in pic) have your inflow go in the center and 'T' off to the fuge so you can have a slow flow throught the 'fuge area. You can put a ballvalve on it to regulate.

[jaded]

is this what your saying? In this example what sections water level would drop with evaporation?

[Henry]

I have one of Matt's mini-Monsters in my sump being run by a t3 externally. I have a baffle in my sump that keeps the water level around the intake and exit of the skimmer stable

[6LINE]

Yes, that is about right. I am not a pro, but it looks good. I think the baffles need to be a little lower as to not overflow with a power outage. On that note, don't forget to drill your syphon breaks in your return. Evaveration will be noticable in the area that the pumps are. Like i said, i am not an expert on this but maybe someone else can give better info.

[Polkster13]

Try this link: http://melevsreef.com/

[dow]

I have a 20-long set up similar to what you have diagrammed here, except that the skimmer and return pumps are switched. The overflow from the tank T's and feeds each end of the sump, with a ball valve for the 'fuge end like you have diagramed.

[jaded]

dow: which section loses water with evaporation? the pump or skimmer section?

[jaded]

thanks for the link polkster I think this is about what im going for

http://www.melevsreef.com/acrylics/sumps/f/sumpf.jpg
http://www.melevsreef.com/acrylics/sumps/f/dougs_wet_sump.jpg

[dow]

Evaporation loss shows up in the pump return (middle) section.

[dan]

have you found a builder for your sump/ fuge or are you going to order it online? give me a PM if you want to build it locally.

[jaded]

I already have the 90 gallon aquarium... all i need is the baffles and fuge divider. Do you have any extra plexi?

[dow]

jaded,

I used glass on mine. Measured what I needed and had a glass shop cut if for me. If I had it to do over, I'd hae them dress up the edges a little. I didn't cut myself, but I came pretty close a couple of times. Mine has four sheets all the same size: three set as a bubble trap between the overflow water/skimmer area and the return area (1 inch apart, with the middle one 1 inch above the bottom), and one on the other side of the return pump area to separate the 'fuge area from the return area. It looks very similar to that shot of the fuge from Melev except that I don't have the overflow comb between the fuge and the return area.

[jaded]

the way I'm seeing the pluming in the model F sump above he is using the retun water flow to feed the fuge. I was thinking about using the intake water in my diagram. I guess I should follow the experts on this one???

[dow]

Well, I'm using the intake water on mine right now, but when I put the new tank in, I'll most likely plumb it similar to the way you see it there. At least to try it out. The new tank has dual overflow lines, but I don't really want that much water going into the 'fuge area if I can help it, lol.

[jaded]

At least PVC is cheap!!!

[jaded]

has anyone gotten a sump from dan... I'd like to get a ball park of the cost to have him build one but hes offline and I'm about to start shopping for plexi. If its affordable I'd much rather have a custom built sump if for no other reason just to have at least a little room to work under the tank