[MontanaRocknReefer]

Hey Guys!

I have been in this hobby recently now for over five years and have never had a sump and refugium.

Now I really need to be led by the hand and explain to me what I would need.

I have two 20+gallon hex tanks and would like to use these to go under the stand of my 80 gallon reef tank.

I will need an overflow box since my tank is not drilled.

I also have a cal reactor but need the 5lb co2 tank, regulator, valve, etc to complete this set-up.

I know I will need a couple of pumps and pvc piping but that is where it ends for me. What size pumps and what size bulkheads and piping?

How can I hook all this together and make it work. I know the tanks will need to be drilled and what level for the holes in the tank, etc?

I know it's asking alot but I know how I am with this stuff and need the experts to step forward and help me out! It would be so greatly appreciated as I want to make my system alot better for the health of my critters and for peace of mind for me. Thanks again for any much needed help! Johnny

[Reefland]

Hey Montana!

Welcome to the world of sumps.

Before you start buying, you need to figure out how much water you want to flow through the system and then the first purchase is the overflow box; Life Reef is probably your best choice.

From there you can buy your pump (I like MAG's). The pump gph rating should not exceed that of the overflow box; if it does it will have to be throttled back with a ball valve.

For plumbing, you'll have to get plumbing to connect to the bulkhead(s) from the overflow I like flexible tubing for this) and then hard plumbing from your pump to your tank. It's all pretty simple really and I can help out with specifics as you come up with them.

What concerns me is trying to use 2 hex tanks for the sumps. Obviously the drains are going to generate air which means bubbles and your going to need a way to diffuse them prior to the return. A hex tank is going to be nearly impossible to fit any baffles in, have you considered this?

Scott Z.

[scubadude]

Originally Posted by Reefland

Hey Montana!

What concerns me is trying to use 2 hex tanks for the sumps. Obviously the drains are going to generate air which means bubbles and your going to need a way to diffuse them prior to the return. A hex tank is going to be nearly impossible to fit any baffles in, have you considered this?

Scott Z.

This would worry me too like Scott said there is no room to easily add baffles. I have a very simple design that allows fuge and sump into one tank. And if you are a little crafty then some cheap acrylic and weldon and a table saw will get you a customized sump/fuge to fit your needs. Heres my design



The LR area I also put my skimmer in.

[kevinpo]

There is a fairly easy way to create baffles in any shape tank. (think outside the box )
If you can make the trip over to Spokane I can show you several different setups in operation and you can decide which one is best for you, or at least get some ideas.

If you have the return go into a 2" piece of PVC glued to the bottom of the center of the hex you have created one set of baffles. A 4" piece of sewer pipe goes around that set on 1/2" legs so the water passes under it. That has a 6" irrigation pipe around that glued to the bottom so the water must flow over it. it's height shoud be within a 1/4" of the depth you plan to keep the sump. There you have a cheap set of baffles that work quite well.

Regards,
Kevin