Detailed dry fit 72 bowfront sump and pics.

[ShooterRick]

I finished the sump baffles last night. The aquarium sealer is black but available and in the sump I didn't care how it looked. I fabricated the lid for the sump/refugium out of 1/8 inch. plexi. The handle was gel glued on and is well to tell the truth an old massage vibrator head from somewhere. LOL. I have a fuge light with homemade reflector not shown that will sit on the lid held about 4 inches off by the reflector. The refugium will be bare bottom and is only 6 inches deep hence no sand, and about 11x10 inches in area. I relocated one baffle from the original plan to add 4 inches to the area of the fuge.

The only problem I see is my stand is not deep enoeph to allow me to place the skimmer behind the sump. That means while the supply pump for the skimmer is in the first chamber under the tower the return from the skimmer is in the same chamber as the return pump for the DT. I am not fond of this but I do not know if it is a major concern so comments welcome.

From Left to right: Tower with 3 media trays to me used for particulate filtration and carbon only but no bio media. Under the tower is a 250 gph utility pump with prefilter to supply the SWC/Octopus recirculating skimmer. I have left plenty of 1/2 inch tubing play to remove the lid and slide out the tower trays to service.

Second: 11x10x6 chamber refugium.

Third: Return pump chamber and skimmer return. Second question. Can the pvc pipe of the skimmer return be under water? Pics wont upload will try again in reply.

[ShooterRick]

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

Hi Rick. The skimmer drain in the return section could create micro bubbles in the DT.

[ShooterRick]

Hi Rick. The skimmer drain in the return section could create micro bubbles in the DT.

Yes that was my concern as well. Also I was concerned about pumping 250 gph from the 1st chamber bypassing the fuge. I may have to get creative to solve this one. I am pretty sure I can get the skimmer return into the fuge but would prefer the 1st chamber under the tower but I see no way to do that with this sump. Any ideas appreciated.

[Reefing Madness]

Replumb the skimmer return using pvc pipe, into the fuge or intake portion itself. Also, you'll more than likely have to set the skimmer on a few blocks, most require a certain height above the water line for maximum flow. You'll have find out what that is from manufacturer directions.

[Reefing Madness]

My bad, don't replumb. Use the black foam or a sponge on the return line from your skimmer. That will take out the chance of bubbles getting into your return.
Replacement Foam Pre-Filter
Something like this. Put a rubber band on the bottom of it soe water can't just run out that way, but is forced through the foam, and that will take out all the bubbles. Must have slipped my mind before, because I use one on mine.

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

My bad, don't replumb. Use the black foam or a sponge on the return line from your skimmer. That will take out the chance of bubbles getting into your return.Replacement Foam Pre-FilterSomething like this. Put a rubber band on the bottom of it soe water can't just run out that way, but is forced through the foam, and that will take out all the bubbles. Must have slipped my mind before, because I use one on mine.

Initially, I was thinking the same thing about the sponge at the skimmer drain. You'll have to be sure to clean it regularly though. Im not sure what kind of back pressure would be put on the skimmer by lengthening the plumbing. Back pressure riuns a skimmer's productivity (hence recommended operating depths) but it might be worth it to contact the manufacturer about it.

[ShooterRick]

All things considered I have decided to place the aquarium across a corner giving me ample depth front to back under the stand to run the skimmer next to the tower and return its water into the refugium. This way I at least know that at each turn all the water going into the sump will be in the fuge before entering the return chamber.

Other potential thoughts is once the skimmer is raised simply build a trouph across the inside of the sump under the lid to channel water across and into the first chamber. I could split 2 inch pvc and use it as the channel and not build up any back pressure that way. The first option is the simplest.

[ShooterRick]

Replumb the skimmer return using pvc pipe, into the fuge or intake portion itself. Also, you'll more than likely have to set the skimmer on a few blocks, most require a certain height above the water line for maximum flow. You'll have find out what that is from manufacturer directions.

The only info I seem to find as to height of skimmer is the return pipe must not be under water. Not a prob. Also I found several posts elsewhere that said this skimmer works better with smaller supply pump and ball valve shut down as much as possible. That is good since the pump I was going to use is a 250 gph pump and my total system volume is about 90 gal as far as I can figure. 1.5 x 90 is the pump recommendation at mimimum.