Need Further help on setting up 75 gallon

[sz212]

Hi,
I have received a lot of help so far but I am still confused on a few things. I am planning on doing a 75 gallon reef. I currently have a 29 gallon reef that has been up and running for almost a year now and have had great success with it. I am now thinking on using my 29 gallon as a sump and possibly adding a hang on refugium in the future as i am on a limited budget. I was hoping that someone might be able to point me in the direction of how to setup a sump step by step and what i would all need to do to start it in a 29 gallon tank. I currently have a bakpak skimmer and i know that will not be enough for a 75 gallon tank, so if anyone can tell me how to properly set a sump up and whether or not i can use the bakpak and add another or whether i should just go for an in sump skimmer that is better suited for a 75 gallon tank. Please let me know if anyone can help out with a DIY sump plan and what else i should get for a 75 gallon tank (pump plumbing etc......) Thank you for patience with a fairly inexperienced member.
scott

 

[Anonymous]

Well, lets start with the simplest possible design. I have used this arrangement many times:

The main tank has to be set up to handle the flow down, either drilled with an overflow box (or "reef-ready") or with an external overflow box (not as good).

Anyway, all you do is throw a submersible pump into the sump, and run a line from it up over the back of the main tank and into it. Make sure it exits not too deep in the main tank, because water can backflow down to the level of the exit when the pump is shut off.

As the water is pumped out of the sump it flows back from the main tank and maintains a static level.

You can actually make the sump function as a refugia, by placing the pump in a bucket of some kind, which will protect the lower strata of water from being sucked directly in. You would illuminate it as well.