My LFS just drilled one hole in each corner up towards the top of my back glass on my 45 gallon tall tank. The drain was fit with a 1 1/2" bulkhead and the return with a 1" bulkhead.
Now I must decide between a closed loop or a sump/refugium. The problem for me with a sump/refugium is limited space under my cabinet..... only 20" total height, 12" depth and, although I have 36" width, there is a 5" vertical strip in the front of the cabinet in the middle where the doors meet. It also provides structural support ... so I have two areas approx 14 1/2" width on each side of the vertical strip. I want to use an in sump protein skimmer, but the height restriction is severe, and the strip in the middle may also make it difficult to fit in a sump of sufficient size.
Any thoughts or recommendations concerning whether I should just use a HOT Protein Skimmer and do a closed loop, or go with an in sump protein skimmer and sump/refugium - problem being my height limitations and vertical post impediment. Im not sure if I can fit a sump, or find a good protein skimmer with 20" max height under cabinet.
Also, if I go with a sump, can I still get 10x circulation for a reef setup? I heard that you use a reduced flow in refugium setup. Would I have to use another source for circulation in addition to the loop from tank to sump to tank?
Any advise for this newbie getting overloaded with the challenge of setting up right?
Now I must decide between a closed loop or a sump/refugium. The problem for me with a sump/refugium is limited space under my cabinet..... only 20" total height, 12" depth and, although I have 36" width, there is a 5" vertical strip in the front of the cabinet in the middle where the doors meet. It also provides structural support ... so I have two areas approx 14 1/2" width on each side of the vertical strip. I want to use an in sump protein skimmer, but the height restriction is severe, and the strip in the middle may also make it difficult to fit in a sump of sufficient size.
Any thoughts or recommendations concerning whether I should just use a HOT Protein Skimmer and do a closed loop, or go with an in sump protein skimmer and sump/refugium - problem being my height limitations and vertical post impediment. Im not sure if I can fit a sump, or find a good protein skimmer with 20" max height under cabinet.
Also, if I go with a sump, can I still get 10x circulation for a reef setup? I heard that you use a reduced flow in refugium setup. Would I have to use another source for circulation in addition to the loop from tank to sump to tank?
Any advise for this newbie getting overloaded with the challenge of setting up right?
