Sump/Fuge Suggestions

[roscozman]

Thanks to Jack, we now have our frag/fuge tank ready to go.

Below is a pic of how we will set up our sump/fuge system. The problem lies where we can not decide on how we should finalize it. Here are some specs:

90gal bottom glass tank (72"x18"x16")
...2"drain with Dart Pump
...3 baffles splitting tank almost in half
.........first baffle 13" high
.........third baffle 9" high

30gal top acrylic tank (48"x12"x12")
...3x separate 1/2" bulkheads draining into 90gal
...water will be supplied from pump in bottom tank
...3 baffles equally separating tank
Tank would be held up by 2x4 frame (not in pic) and can move to other side of sump if need be.

Lighting - 48" 2bulb Current fixture with 6500k daylight bulb and ATI BluePlus bulb


Our initial thought is as follows:
30gal top acrylic tank - Fuge/frag tank where the first three chambers would be used as a fuge with cheato and last chamber would be used for as a frag area.
90gal bottom glass tank - Deep sand bed (6inch) in the first chamber them a sump area in the second housing the skimmer.

How could/would you set up the system? Any and all recommendations welcome.

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff136/roscozman/Sumppic2b.jpg

[ErikH]

better make something to support all of that weight!

[roscozman]

better make something to support all of that weight!

Scorpino - I added this part to the specs:
Tank would be held up by 2x4 frame (not in pic) and can move to other side of sump if need be.

This would be housed under our tank in a 46" stand. There will be a lot of room since our tank is 96" long.

[roscozman]

Well... I received some feedback on RC and am going with the following design:
http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff136/roscozman/sumppic3b.jpg

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff136/roscozman/sumppic3a.jpg

[hobogato]

the drains from that top tank will wash out the sand in the fuge the way you have it and if you have them drain into the return section they will cause micro bubbles in the tank. i would turn the top tank around 180degrees so the supply pump for it is in the return section and the drains empty back into the first section before the tripple baffle.

[ErikH]

LOL I was going to ask why so many baffles in the top! What does the brown block represent?

EDIT: Oh sand, I assume from Ace's post?

[txav8r]

That's a lot of sump/fuge space! I wish I had room for something like that.

[hobogato]

or, you could "t" off of one of your drain pipes to supply water to the frag tank and eliminate that pump all together.

also, just to make sure, you are using an auto topoff of some kind right? if not, that little return section (where all evaporation will show up) will fluctuate quite a bit and you will have to add water constantly.

[Big_Pun]

i like ur purdy pictures, lol, looks good

[roscozman]

the drains from that top tank will wash out the sand in the fuge the way you have it and if you have them drain into the return section they will cause micro bubbles in the tank. i would turn the top tank around 180degrees so the supply pump for it is in the return section and the drains empty back into the first section before the tripple baffle.

One thing I forgot to add was on the bottom of those three pvc pipes will be elbows to help with this problem. Also, the pipes will not be quite that long. If anyone who has worked with sketch-up, it takes a long time to make little adjustments.


or, you could "t" off of one of your drain pipes to supply water to the frag tank and eliminate that pump all together.

also, just to make sure, you are using an auto topoff of some kind right? if not, that little return section (where all evaporation will show up) will fluctuate quite a bit and you will have to add water constantly.

Someone on RC suggested the same thing and didn't know if this would create too much water for the top tank to handle. I guess I could add a ball valve to control the amount of flow. And yes, we have already bought a ATO for the sump.


That's a lot of sump/fuge space! I wish I had room for something like that.

Thanks... That is why I like our stand at 46" tall.


LOL I was going to ask why so many baffles in the top! What does the brown block represent?

EDIT: Oh sand, I assume from Ace's post?

The baffles are already on the tank. Someone of RC suggested I remove the 1st and 3rd baffle. I still have to figure out how to do that.

And yes, that is a 6" sand bed.

[Bill S]

the drains from that top tank will wash out the sand in the fuge the way you have it and if you have them drain into the return section they will cause micro bubbles in the tank. i would turn the top tank around 180degrees so the supply pump for it is in the return section and the drains empty back into the first section before the tripple baffle.

Oh, holy carp! NOW I know where my micro bubbles have been coming from all of these years! THE FUGE overflow - YOU designed! LOL. And now I'm taking the tank down...

[hobogato]

d'oh! bill, we should have had the center of the sump as the return section so that water from the fuge would go thru a tripple baffle before the return pump :blushing:

[Bill S]

d'oh! bill, we should have had the center of the sump as the return section so that water from the fuge would go thru a tripple baffle before the return pump :blushing:

This is freakin' funny. ALL that time - and you point out the fault on someone else's system. I can't BELIEVE I didn't see this! I put filter floss in, I tried rubble, EVERYTHING to get this to stop - I just didn't notice that overflow going into the end of the sump! LOL.

[Big_Pun]

This is freakin' funny. ALL that time - and you point out the fault on someone else's system. I can't BELIEVE I didn't see this! I put filter floss in, I tried rubble, EVERYTHING to get this to stop - I just didn't notice that overflow going into the end of the sump! LOL.

you should have used cool pics like ross, no more napkin plans lol. j/k

[roscozman]

Made a few adjustments to the sump. I have also added the plumbing with PVC for the drain and Flextube for the return. I figured out the back of the frag tank is black, so it can only go in one way with the drains on the right hand side. Also, removed the pump for the fuge and added a ball valve to control the drain from the tank to go fuge and sump.

The return from the fuge has been adjusted as well. Added "durso" to drain pipes and included 45degree PVC to drains to help avoid disturbance on sand bed. Also included an acrylic "brace" for two filter socks.

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff136/roscozman/SumpSide_100128.jpg

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff136/roscozman/Sump_100128.jpg

[txmike]

Ross how high is your water level in the last chamber??How high is you last baffle that holds back your DSB?

[roscozman]

The DSB is 6" high and the last baffle is 7" high. With my ATO, water level keeps constant at about 9"- 10" high.

This leave me about 8" for when I turn the pumps off or in case a power failure.

[Mr Cob]

Nice plans Ross. That's a sweet under display setup you and Eve have there.

I see you still have the frag tank/refugium still draining into the sand area. Why not add two more baffles in there...somewhere near the center of the sand area with maybe live rock in it and just have them drain there...?

[txmike]

thanks for info .

[Squiers007]

I like Mr. Cobb's idea about moving the position of the refugium drains. I know it will probably be a bit more work construction wise, but it could remove any issues you might have with the water draining on top of the sand. Also from my experience you may want to make your final section that your return pump will be drawing from a little larger. That way, if for some strange reason your ATO decides to stop working it will take longer for the pump to run dry. I have had my ATO quit on my before and my final section is somewhat small and it didnt take long for the water level to drop, especially if you have a high evaporation rate. It's always better to plan for the worst than to pray it doesnt happen. Otherwise the design looks great and I love the drawings!! Can't wait to see the real deal!

[txmike]

fyi this system is been up and running for a bit
http://www.maast.org/showthread.php?56211-Rebuilding-our-240-w-NEW-PICS-PG-19/page7 (http://www.maast.showthread.php?56211-Rebuilding-our-240-w-NEW-PICS-PG-19/page7)

This is why i was asking i have seen it up and running and love the way it works.

[roscozman]

Nice plans Ross. That's a sweet under display setup you and Eve have there.

I see you still have the frag tank/refugium still draining into the sand area. Why not add two more baffles in there...somewhere near the center of the sand area with maybe live rock in it and just have them drain there...?

Thanks Rob. I do have the fuge draining into the DSB and don't have any of the anticipated problems I thought I would have. Also, we tried to stay away from LR in the sump, but do have some in our fuge area.


I like Mr. Cobb's idea about moving the position of the refugium drains. I know it will probably be a bit more work construction wise, but it could remove any issues you might have with the water draining on top of the sand. Also from my experience you may want to make your final section that your return pump will be drawing from a little larger. That way, if for some strange reason your ATO decides to stop working it will take longer for the pump to run dry. I have had my ATO quit on my before and my final section is somewhat small and it didnt take long for the water level to drop, especially if you have a high evaporation rate. It's always better to plan for the worst than to pray it doesnt happen. Otherwise the design looks great and I love the drawings!! Can't wait to see the real deal!

I agree, unfortunately it is all up and running. I did create a thread a little while ago title, "I should of". I should of made this section bigger and made my 7" baffle maybe 1" or 2" taller. This would have given me a bigger area for the ATO. I do keep on top of it though... I also used the sump in which I had. We might change it a little later if problems arise, but all is well so far...

[Mr Cob]

Cool Ross, didn't realize it was in line already. Glad no problems....man that's a great setup.

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