Help with Refugium design

[edacsac]

I was reading this thread:

http://www.reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtop...s=0&postorder=asc&highlight=bb+vs+dsb&start=0

...and found alot of good information and opinion, but would like some on my particular design. I've been undecided about tank size and what not for awhile, but I've finally decided an now I need to double check my fuge plans. I've studied variuos plans from melevsreef.com, along with as many images I could see at various forum image galleries. So here we go...

Tank size will be 30L at 48"x12"x12"; sump will be a 55 at 48"x12"x20".

In the image blow, water flows right to left. I need the huge skimmer chamber because I'm using a red sea turbo classic and it needs THAT much room to fit the skimmer & pump.

I'm also undecided on return pump size. I've read somewhere that sump flow should be equal to skimmer turnover, which in my case would be 500gph. I decided on a mag 7, which after calculating head loss would put me around 425gph as a return pump. The thread I linked has some comments that 300gph was too much for a 90gal tank. Any suggestions for me? Do I really need to match my skimmer turnover? If not and I go with a lower flow through the sump, I will eliminate the skimmer output chamber, extend the skimmer chamber and allow the skimmer to recirculate skimmed water.

I will also have a closed loop in the display (could use thoughts on what size pump for the CL as well!), unless I come across a reason to not have a CL.

**Edit to add details:

I plan to have a DSB in the refugium, and no more than 1" of sand in the display. The refugium will have macros, and I might even try a couple of mangrove just for poops and giggles. I don't have a clue what I will keep in the display yet; I'm hoping for lots of cool stuff on the LR when I purchase it, and I know I will at least have a firefish and maybe a kenya tree coral if it will fit in a 12" high tank.

Please advise on my setup!!

Thank you!!

 

[wstubbs]

Almost identical to my setup! Only difference is that I have the smaller tank as the sump. (That would be my recomendation.) I have the ocean runner 2500 connected to my turboflotor 1000. I don't have a skimmer output chamber, and I have a Mag return pump.

As far as the Mag goes I have a Mag 7 and it seems to do well. One exception tho, it seems to be getting pretty noisy like it's gonna fail. It may be of my own fault, I did have a pretty big sand stir for a while and sand ended up in my return chamber. Leading to sand flowing threw the pump.

I had replaced this pump before this will be my second replacement. This is how I found your post I was searching for a more reliable/durable option.

 

[mr_X]

both of those designs look good. more so, i'm glad you got some information out of my crazy thread!
will you use a filter sock in the intake area? if so, make sure you have room for it. i couldn't fit the acrylic filter sock holder in either of my sumps
and don't forget about the evap in the last chamber. that thing empties fast!
my tank was larger than yours, but i ended up with a mag7. i think it was a good choice for my size system. now, i still use the mag7 with my 125 display, and still feel it's the right pump for my needs. i have a sedra9000(900gph) powering the oversized skimmer i use now, and i get plenty of skimmate. i don't know if that's any type of guage on choosing the correct return pump, but i feel that unless you plumb the skimmer for a direct water feed, a weaker return is not a bad idea. it will give the water in the intake of the sump more time to be skimmed before it heads to the macroalgae. :wink:

 

[edacsac]

Thanks wstubbs!

I'm trying to stay in the "nano" region for my tank, but I get the idea that a large refugium is a good idea, so I'll still probably set mine up backwards. Lol. If everything goes well, my refugium should be pretty cool to look at as well.

How big is your setup for using a mag 7? I've been thinking of maybe using even a mag 5 the more I read.

Thanks mr_X,

Your thread was actually a good read! Learned alot form it. I wasn't planning on a filter sock, but maybe I will plan on it and just not get it right away. I've read so many pros and cons that I thought I'd try without it. You can almost read yourself right out of the hobby...

Does it evap fast enough that I should make the chamber larger, and does it really evap form the last chamber? Or is it that the last chamber indicates the overall evaporation from the system? Like if I'm gone for 24 hours it will evap itself dry enough to ruin the pump? That would be bad. I'm not sure where to go here; I'd like an auto topoff system, but I'm not to trusting with the reliability of float switches.

I will go with a slower return pump.


Thanks for your replies! I appreciate the help! Diamond hole saws are on the way, I can order my tanks next weekend, it's geting closer!

 

[wstubbs]

I loose a gallon every 2 days or so. I do a light kalk mix dose of about 1 liter per day and just top off the other 1/2 gal with fresh water.

Also I did end up replacing my pump with the mag 7. Originally it was a mag 5 I was mistaken.

 

[mr_X]

i replace about 6 gallons of water a day. evaporation depends on a few things:
the amount of heat all the components of your tank put off (all pumps, lighting)
the temperature of the room.
the amount of exposed water surface(topless tanks will tend to evaporate a bit faster than covered ones)

my girlfriends' tank is a 30 gallon cube, with a 8 +- gallon sump, and she adds about a quart a day.

so, getting back to your question about the speed of evaporation, you'll have to wait and see how it goes, and then adjust things to compensate- put glass between the lighting and the water...run a fan across the surface, between the lighting and the water.(i'm not sure if that contributes to evap or slows it :? ....run the air conditioner ...etc..

the last chamber in the sump is what has evaporated from the entire system. it will only show up there. your display will never look low, and neither will your refugium and intake areas.

what about this- while you are drilling away, plumb a 10 or 20 gallon tank at the end of the 55(at the same height), and put your return pump in there. now, when you want to do a water change, shut down the pump, shut the ball valve that seperates the 2 tanks, empty, and then refill that tank. start the pump back up and open the valve. nice and simple.

 

[edacsac]

what about this- while you are drilling away, plumb a 10 or 20 gallon tank at the end of the 55(at the same height), and put your return pump in there. now, when you want to do a water change, shut down the pump, shut the ball valve that seperates the 2 tanks, empty, and then refill that tank. start the pump back up and open the valve. nice and simple.

Thats a great idea! I might do that. I could use some sort of tupperware'ish container for that chamber.

As for evaporation, I guess like you said, I'll have to wait and see!

Thanks for all your help!