need help with my sump/fuge
- Thread starter rmleal
- Start date
Lol, try to save your images as jpeg or gif files instead of bitmaps (bmp), it took forever to download!
For a return pump, my friends at the lfs recommend Mag-drive pumps. Personally I'd get one that will give you a realistic in-tank flow of about 500-700 gph, but I'd divert it into several different outlets. Two or three would go behind the live rock to keep detritus from accumulating there, two or three into the front of the tank for circulation, depending on the needs of the livestock you plan on having. To figure out how much realistic flow you will be getting, look at the charts provided with many pumps- they will tell you how much water will be moved at x-number of feet of head pressure. On a typical 55 gallon stand you'll have about five feet of head (from sump to the top of the tank). Make sure, though, if you go on the heavy side of water flow, that you have a mammajamma of an overflow (what is it rated for?) or you'll have a 55 gallon overflow into a carpeted reef living room.
For a return pump, my friends at the lfs recommend Mag-drive pumps. Personally I'd get one that will give you a realistic in-tank flow of about 500-700 gph, but I'd divert it into several different outlets. Two or three would go behind the live rock to keep detritus from accumulating there, two or three into the front of the tank for circulation, depending on the needs of the livestock you plan on having. To figure out how much realistic flow you will be getting, look at the charts provided with many pumps- they will tell you how much water will be moved at x-number of feet of head pressure. On a typical 55 gallon stand you'll have about five feet of head (from sump to the top of the tank). Make sure, though, if you go on the heavy side of water flow, that you have a mammajamma of an overflow (what is it rated for?) or you'll have a 55 gallon overflow into a carpeted reef living room.
Ooops forgot about the fuge.
For whatever part of the sump will be the fuge, be SURE that the fuge does NOT empty into a filter, protien skimmer, or UV sterilizer of any kind or you'll filter out/kill the main reason for having a fuge---- plankton. If you can use the dividers to keep the fuge part mostly seperated from the rest of the sump, all the better. You can use a medium sized powerhead to return water from the fuge part to the tank (a 300-400 gph powerhead will likely give you 50-100 gph with 5 feet of head, which is plenty for a fuge return). You can light it with a regular incandescent spot light (like the clamp-lights used for iguanas and such at pet shops) but use the new power compact self-ballasted screw in bulbs. Lowes and Walmart carry a 6500K daylight bulb, 13-20 watts. Great for fuges.
Add some live sand and/or mud mix, some macroalgae (caulerpa racemosa, caulerpa prolifera, caulerpa mexicana are my favorites). Add lots of patience and observation, and have fun!
For whatever part of the sump will be the fuge, be SURE that the fuge does NOT empty into a filter, protien skimmer, or UV sterilizer of any kind or you'll filter out/kill the main reason for having a fuge---- plankton. If you can use the dividers to keep the fuge part mostly seperated from the rest of the sump, all the better. You can use a medium sized powerhead to return water from the fuge part to the tank (a 300-400 gph powerhead will likely give you 50-100 gph with 5 feet of head, which is plenty for a fuge return). You can light it with a regular incandescent spot light (like the clamp-lights used for iguanas and such at pet shops) but use the new power compact self-ballasted screw in bulbs. Lowes and Walmart carry a 6500K daylight bulb, 13-20 watts. Great for fuges.
Add some live sand and/or mud mix, some macroalgae (caulerpa racemosa, caulerpa prolifera, caulerpa mexicana are my favorites). Add lots of patience and observation, and have fun!
I have a 135G that I'm wanting to use as a refugium / frag / ???, to put in line wi9th my exsiting 125g to eventually be in uniou with my new 268g. Any comments?