My First DIY Sump/Refugium

[WilFresco]

So I decided to make a homemade sump and this is what I came up with, let me know if I'm missing anything or if it's good like it is.

So in the first chamber is coming from the over flow where I plan on getting some live rock and seaweed, then the second chamber is for the skimmer, then flows into a bubble trap (or should I add some kind of filter there?) and then the last chamber is for the return pump. What u guys think?

 

[masterswimmer]

First chamber where the overflow comes into the sump should be where your skimmer sits.
The second chamber can either be the fuge (sandbed, macro algae & LR rubble) or the return pump.
Third chamber would be the opposite of the second chamber (fuge or return pump, whichever the second chamber wasn't).

Russ

 

[CONSTANTNE]

I was going to say the same. First chamber is usually skimmer, second fuge, and third return pump. What size is the tank?

Im thinking of DIYing my next sump.

 

[WilFresco]

I was going to say the same. First chamber is usually skimmer, second fuge, and third return pump. What size is the tank?

Im thinking of DIYing my next sump.

125 gallon

 

[WilFresco]

First chamber where the overflow comes into the sump should be where your skimmer sits.
The second chamber can either be the fuge (sandbed, macro algae & LR rubble) or the return pump.
Third chamber would be the opposite of the second chamber (fuge or return pump, whichever the second chamber wasn't).

Russ

Ok so first chamber for the skimmer and then the second chamber for the sandbed, rock and macro algae, and then the last the return pump

 

[masterswimmer]

Let me clarify my previous post. The way you have the sump set up will work. It's not 'wrong', it's just not done the conventional way.

The reason I like to have the skimmer in the first chamber is so that there is more time for bubbles to dissipate from the water before being returned to your display tank.

Both ways will work, I feel my way is just a bit more efficient.

Russ

 

[LatinP]

Ok so first chamber for the skimmer and then the second chamber for the sandbed, rock and macro algae, and then the last the return pump

That's one way of doing it. I prefer first chamer in from overflow and the skimmer, second the return and the third the refugium. Then what you do is split the line that comes in from the overflow box and put a Y in there one to the first chamber where the skimmer is and one into the refugium, the one that goes into the refugium would have a ball valve so you can adjust the speed of which water goes into that chamber.

I know it seems like alot of work but slower flow is much better for filtering and there's no way to regulate water speed with the traditional skimmer > fugue > return setup, but either works I guess I just like that setup better.

 

[rkaragozler]

First chamber where the overflow comes into the sump should be where your skimmer sits.
The second chamber can either be the fuge (sandbed, macro algae & LR rubble) or the return pump.
Third chamber would be the opposite of the second chamber (fuge or return pump, whichever the second chamber wasn't).

Russ

I have to agree with Russ, a couple of things you will have to change.
1- get rid of the glass in the far left chamber and put a piece of pvc on your hose.
2- determine your running water level of your skimmer and adjust the height of the baffle between chamber 1 and 2, OR just build a platform for your skimmer to stand on.
3- cut a piece of egg crate, and glue it to the top of the 2nd baffle, so you don't get any seaweed or any other macro algae, into your pump
Nice job, keep up the good work

 

[WilFresco]

Let me clarify my previous post. The way you have the sump set up will work. It's not 'wrong', it's just not done the conventional way.

The reason I like to have the skimmer in the first chamber is so that there is more time for bubbles to dissipate from the water before being returned to your display tank.

Both ways will work, I feel my way is just a bit more efficient.

Russ

If u look carefully between the second and last chamber, there's a narrow chamber so it works like a bubble trap to rid the bubbles before going into the last chamber with the return pump

 

[WilFresco]

I have to agree with Russ, a couple of things you will have to change.
1- get rid of the glass in the far left chamber and put a piece of pvc on your hose.
2- determine your running water level of your skimmer and adjust the height of the baffle between chamber 1 and 2, OR just build a platform for your skimmer to stand on.
3- cut a piece of egg crate, and glue it to the top of the 2nd baffle, so you don't get any seaweed or any other macro algae, into your pump
Nice job, keep up the good work

That's what I tried to do, the wall on the second divider is 8" high cause that's my skimmer's "sweet spot"

 

[rkaragozler]

That 8" height should be the first baffle on the left, and thats where your skimmer would go, and the center would be your fuge.

 

[zlin0524]

question,,,, i have a 120g , with a 25g sump .how many watts of a light bulb should i use in my sump .???

 

[zlin0524]

 

[masterswimmer]

question,,,, i have a 120g , with a 25g sump .how many watts of a light bulb should i use in my sump .???

It all depends upon the size of your fuge where you keep your macro algae. I'd use a light that fits appropriately on the space you have above your fuge.

Russ