new and need sump/ref. designs

[wastedincome420]

First off I would like to say Hi to all, I'm new to this BB and from the posts I've read so far this is one I'll be using alot.
The first topic that I would like to pick your brains for knowledge is on designing a sump with refugium. My main tank is a Oceanic 105g on matching stand. I have a 48g(?) 48"Lx12"Dx19"H AGA tank that I plan to use as my sump and refugium. I need to know how big should the refugium area be?? Also want to have a few(or how ever many I need) baffles to cut down on bubbles, How tall?, in which order(over-under-over or vica-versa) ? I also need to have room for my berlin skimmer, heaters, and probes.
I hope that you guys can help give me some input;) I don't want to make something and then find out i should have done it different.
I look forward to your replies
Thanks,
Mark
Wastedincome420@aol.com

[scubadude]

Check out my site I have a refugium setup for my 90g and will soon for my 220g

Scubadude's Refugium

And Spasse has a great setup too.

Spasse's Refugium

[wastedincome420]

Thanks scubadude;)
But I'm still looking for some more idea's (not that yours doesn't
look good or anything) So please keep the input flowing OK

[TEO_2112]

Hi Wastedincome,

I made these plans for a friend using a 55 gal. The ideas can work for
any size tank. Don't know if its what you are after but the more ideas you get the better off your decision will be. This sump refugium can be made with three pcs of acrylic, two/three bulk heads, pvc pipe and a tuppaware container. If you take water from the filter sock for your skimmer and return it to the filter box it should take care of all the bubbles and will never go dry if your sump level gets to low, you will only have to worry about a safty cut off for the return pump. You can "T" the overflow from main tank for refugium water but I planned on taking water from the filter sock box like in the schem. to cut down on # of pipes above sump/refugium to better utilize space (lighting,water top off,ect...)
Hope this gives you some ideas.
Tim

[wastedincome420]

Thanks TEO
That is almost exactly what I'm looking for;) There is just a few things i don't under stand from the pics. The section between the ref.
and the reurn area of he sump. Do have any real pics. it looks great.
hows it working? What I don't understand is the ref. water in, wheres it come from, tank?? skimmer?(if it comes from the skim won't that take out the stuff in the water that the ref needs?? ) also i dont understan what the overflow box in the sump is for?? I would realy like to understand it ALL cuz it sounds like a nice plan to use for me

[TEO_2112]

Hi Wastedincome,
No pics, we haven't built it yet, My friend had some hard luck and we had to put it on hold for a couple of months, but to answer your questions if I can.....
The water to the refugium comes from the filter sock box. plumb the bulk head BELOW the overflow of the sock box and all the water will want to go through the refugium, that's what the valve is for, to slow it down, all the rest of the water flows over filter sock box into return area of the sump.
Maybe I should have used another term than overflow box. The water will have a long way to fall when it leaves the filter sock box.
the "overflow box" Is basicly just a rectangle tube( long tupaware container with bottom cut out or something like that) that you can put chem pads. carbon,and/or filter floss in to quiet the water and to take out bubbles.
we are planning on putting a bulkhead in the bottom of sock box exiting into return area so we can plumb pump for skimmer right out of sock box then return to sock box. for reasons metioned in first reply.
there are plenty of ways to do the same thing, and these plans are just one made for a specific application. You could "T" the flow from main tank and run part into refugium the other in to return area of sump with no filter sock box. A plastic bowl with holes cut in the bottom filled with filter floss would quiet the flow from tank and take out bubbles but then your skimmer would make bubbles and you would have to use a baffle wich doesn't always work with fine bubbles and high flow in close proximity to the return pump.
Hope this answers some of your questions.
Wether you use the plans, some variable of them or nothing from them at all, the more ideas you have the better decision you will make when making your sump/refugium. Just though I'd throw a couple at you since that is what you ask for.
good luck and if you have anymore questions about the plans just ask
Tim

[wastedincome420]

Thanks for taking time to explain;) It helps me alot...You are
right....the more idea's I get the more it helps... I sure that by the time I end up building mine it will have designs from alot of different peoples setups....I'll keep you guys updated in the progress...as you guys have helped me alot