suggestions for sump size and design

[bongobrian]

Ok, I've pretty much decided that I want to start a sump on my 46 gallon. My small hang-on ecosystem refugium is doing a good job, but I want a larger area for growing macros and I'd like to start dripping kalk. What would be a good size sump for a 46 gal? I have an extra 10 gallon aquarium sitting in my basement, but I'm not sure if that would be a big enough sump for the 46. What do you guys think? I don't have much livestock... only 2 medium sized fish and lots of corals. What do you guys think? do aquariums make good sumps? or should I scrap that idea and go with something like the sterilite or rubbermaid container instead. Does anyone have a good sump design they could give me. Any advice is appreciated. Gracias.

[bongobrian]

anybody?

[golfish]

Brian,
Sorry, I meant to come back to this one IME, setup the biggest sump you can fit under your stand. Make sure there's room for the skimmer, heater, return pump. A 10 gal would be fine but a 20 would be better. The sump is the cheap part. You''l need to add a few dividers\baffles. If you go with glass then have a glass shop cut you 2 or 3 baffles and your set. If you search the net you should be able to find a few sump designs. Here's a link to Perry's sump design.


http://www.reefcentral.com/images/sump.gif

[tendar]

I would agree the biggest sump you can fit under the tnak the better. You can run out of room in a hurry if you put in a few baffles to battle bubbles. I had a 20 acrylic sump made for me and it fits with the skimmer and 4 baffles. Would have gone bigger but wouldnt fit through the door.

[bongobrian]

Thanks guys, I guess I'm just really weak on ideas in this area because I've never set one up. I thought 10 gallons might be a bit too small. How about 2 10 gallon tanks? One for the sump and one for a refugium? Someone was telling me to use rubbermaid containers instead of glass, which makes sense, but are there any drawbacks to this? I would kinda like glass for my refugium because then I can see everything inside. Thanks for the link to the sump design page. That will come in handy. Can anyone recommend any special equipment like overflow boxes and return pumps? thanks again.

[golfish]

Brian,
I would look for an overflow that uses a U-tube. I used one for 10+ years and it never failed me. A Sen\Sedra or Mag pump would make a good return pump. Something in the 500 gph range should do the job.

Mark

[wastedincome420]

From what Ive heard, the bad part about useing "rubber maid" is that it can be hard to add any type of baffle.
Also, you want the flow in the refugium to be at alow rate, around 100gph from what I hear. Can you fit a 20g tall (for the ref.) and a regular 20g (for sump) under your stand??
It would also be good if you can add a Deep Sand Bed in the ref part (atleast 4") as this will really help with keeping the nitrites down.