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07/08/2015, 03:37 PM | #1 |
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Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Arizona
Posts: 2
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New Tank, New Hobbyist (Sump Layout?)
Hey Everyone,
I just inherited an old 300 gallon fresh water tank from a neighbor and have been diligently researching how to re-purpose it as a reef tank (96x24x30 glass tank with 72x18x22 glass tank for sump). I essentially want to setup the entire system to operate as a simpler, cheaper, low bio-load fish only tank but have the sump setup to easily upgrade to a reef tank as money becomes available. Do any of you have suggestions or recommended builds for a sump layout? For instance, should I setup a chamber for a future refugium; should I put in filter sock holders even if they are to sit empty at first? Things like that. I have plenty of glass plates to use as baffles, I just need to know where to put them. Sorry for the broad post, but new hobbyist and new member here. Thanks. |
07/08/2015, 05:00 PM | #2 | |
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Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Brighton, CO
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Quote:
http://gmacreef.com/reef-aquarium-sump-tank-design/ I have a spot for a refugium and haven't put anything in it yet since my bio load isn't that big yet. I also made a egg crate cover to hold my filter sock but will probably take it out when I get my skimmer and refugium up and running. |
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07/09/2015, 08:15 AM | #3 |
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Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Arizona
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Thanks for the link.
I will probably go with a central return but after hearing from you I will definitely put in a chamber for a refugium and some holes to mount a sock even though I probably wont be using them for awhile. |
07/09/2015, 08:24 AM | #4 | |
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Garden Grove, Ca
Posts: 17,023
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Quote:
Here is a picture of my sump: From left to right: Filter sock holder and skimmer section, refugium, return pump section. |
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07/09/2015, 08:37 AM | #5 |
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Join Date: May 2014
Location: People's Communist Republic of Massachusetts
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There's no reason you have to run a refugium at the beginning. You could keep that section empty or just fill it extra live rock. Some folks here advocate for not using filter socks, or at least only using them when you're trying to remove something in particular, as they can remove microfauna.
The best advice I can give, which isn't really worth much, is to have a pro drill your tank for the drains (if it's not already drilled). 300 gal tanks are a bit pricey to practice your drilling skills on. Good luck and please post pics along the way. We love pics.
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"55gal glass box full of water, rocks and some not-so-amused little fishes" 2x Occellaris, 1 Pajama, 1 Neon Dottyback. Current Tank Info: 55gal tank, sumpless, ReefOctopus Classic 90, Twin bulb T5. |
07/09/2015, 03:22 PM | #6 |
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Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Austin, Tx
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Did a super simple sump on our frag tank...
Basically just a bubble trap separating the skimmer/drain area from the returns.
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Peter TankStop - Fish and Coral 470G Display - Build Thread Current Tank Info: Retired - 470 Gallon Mixed Reef (120x29x31") |
07/09/2015, 05:33 PM | #7 |
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Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Brighton, CO
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My DIY Sump
Very simple set up for me. You may not need a refugium like the other post said and just put more live rock in it. Somethings you can put in the refugium to live in it and when the babies go to through the pump they can feed your fish, if they breed.
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07/09/2015, 05:50 PM | #8 |
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Location: Louisville Kentucky
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For a sump .I think its very important to have a Skimmer chamber that will maintain its own water level. Its best for it to be the first chamber and the baffles being higher then the others will do this . Also if you do add a fuge do it on the end so you can have calmer water flowing in it and the pump in the middle..
here is mine. But i have external pump and separate Fuge that gravity feeds to sump. 20150609_164354.jpg |
07/09/2015, 07:42 PM | #9 |
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07/09/2015, 07:45 PM | #10 | |
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Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Louisville Kentucky
Posts: 3,110
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Quote:
skimmer isolation like this is a must. |
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Tags |
300 gallon, low bio-load, new tank, sump layout |
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