Refugium expansion

[Annette]

I am just setting up a new marine tank and would like some input from more experienced people. The tank is a 150 gal (36" x 36" x 24") glass with a corner overflow. I have purchased a sump: Aqueon Proflex Model #3. This sump is not rated for a 150 gal tanks but is the only one I could find that is close to what I want that would fit into the stand. I intend to set the sump up with a refugium.
The refugium will be small (8" x 14"). I would like to expand it and am looking for suggestions about a sensible way to do that. I am thinking I could divert water from the side of the sump (refugium box) and back into it to another aquarium with a 14" x 26" footprint. Both would fit in the stand. I am kind of stuck on a way to move water from the Proflex refugium and back without making a big mess. My current setup has always been a pain to me because of the salt spray/creep around the sump. So I would like to keep the plumbing and necessary pumps submersed or covered. So the actual mechanics of the plumbing is a challenge for me. The Proflex is made of 1/4 " acrylic, I haven't purchased the other tank yet. I am also unsure as to how any modification of the sump will affect the fluid dynamics.
Any suggestions would be very welcome. Thank you. Also, I'm sure someone else might already have tried this so pointing me to a thread would be great, too.

 

[Chichas01]

Post some pics of the stand and give the inside dimensions. Seems like you could do a much better DIY sump and fuge with a couple of glass tanks to fit under that stand.

 

[rainydave]

Check out this page that shows the various "standard" aquarium sizes. You might find you can build a single complete sump/refugium that fits your needs. This page has some great ideas on building sumps.

 

[Krish]

Welcome to RF Annette!! . I googled your sump and it is a pretty nice design! For those looking in and not sure what the sump looks like just click on the link here and go to sump number 3 Aqueon » Aqueon ProFlex? Modular Sump Filtration | Products . As for the size being too small, is it just too small for what you need to put in it (ie skimmer, reactors etc) or small in your opinion because of the size tank you have? Just curious...

As for plumbing this thing into another tank for a refugium, if space in your stand is a concern, have you considered maybe putting the refugium above the sump or even above or behind the tank? Is that an option?? Because you could always just use a seperate feed pump coming from your sump to the refugium and just let it drain back down into the sump. That way you won't have to worry about fitting a sump and a seperate tank under your stand and worry about a bunch of plumbing. All you'd need is a hose coming from the pump in the sump to the tank, and a drain line back into the sump. Just a thought. If you are looking for other ideas, take a look here at the different sump/fuge ideas on this website Melevsreef.com | Acrylic Sumps & Refugiums . You will find them listed on the left column under varied sumps.

Just a few ideas for starters to get things going.

 

[Annette]

Thanks all for your interest and kindness. I think the sump is too small because it is rated by the manufacturer for up to 100g tanks, I believe. The larger Proflex is rated for a 150 gal but it's too long for the under-stand area. The area underneath is about 35" by 35". I went out and bought a 29 high glass tank. The 29g and the Proflex sump fit nicely in the understand.

The plumbing query is because I would like a larger refugium, hence the 29 gal next to the sump. I was just trying to work out a neat and clean way to "expand" the refugium area of the Proflex using the 29g.

 

[Krish]

Thanks all for your interest and kindness. I think the sump is too small because it is rated by the manufacturer for up to 100g tanks, I believe. The larger Proflex is rated for a 150 gal but it's too long for the under-stand area. The area underneath is about 35" by 35". I went out and bought a 29 high glass tank. The 29g and the Proflex sump fit nicely in the understand.

The plumbing query is because I would like a larger refugium, hence the 29 gal next to the sump. I was just trying to work out a neat and clean way to "expand" the refugium area of the Proflex using the 29g.

Cool...Well just so you'll know, a sump is just a bonus and not necessary to have in order for you to maintain a successful reef tank so I wouldn't worry too much about getting one rated for 100 gals as opposed to one rated at 150 gals. The only difference will be probably a bit more water volume and a bit more space to hold equipment and nothing more. It won't "filter any better than the other. The liverock and sand itself is your filter (bilogical filter) so not to worry going with the smaller one. Now a skimmer for eg rated for a 100 gal tank as opposed to one rated for 150 gals is a different story. You don't want to undercut on things like that, but a sump, no biggie.

As for plumbing it in, let me see if I can find you an old thread where a member plumbed two tanks into each other to work as one sump. Very simple and straight forward. Give me a few.

 

[Krish]

Look at post #21 here http://www.reeffrontiers.com/f12/sump-11834/index2.html . Simple idea. Not sure if it can work in your case, but if not, it might atleast spark an idea for you

 

[thatguy559]

if they are side by side all you need is to drill a hole in the 29g for the return back in put a pvc pipe in and route it back to the sump. as far as feeding the refugium all you need to do is either "T" off the return or "T" off the intake make sure you put a valve on it to control the flow to the fuge.

 

[Annette]

Thank you for your help, now I just have to overcome the fear of drilling the glass tank.

 

[Krish]

Thank you for your help, now I just have to overcome the fear of drilling the glass tank.

Maybe a fellow reefer can do it for you or a local glass shop.

 

[thatguy559]

TJL has a drill press perfect for drilling tanks makes like so much easier. maybe you can bring that tank to his house and he can help you drill it

 

[jrgilles]

Hey, I ran into the same problem when I set up my system. I was going to put the fuge in the sump, but then once I started accounting for all the space, etc. it just didn't seem like there was enough room.

I ended up putting my fuge on the side of my tank, and I keep my sump in the dark, which I like a lot. Keeps it very clean.

Anyway, what I did was put a T piece on my main drain line that led to a ball valve and a hose barb. I then ran a hose to the fuge, which then overflowed back to the sump. Here are some pics of it. I have 2 overflow drains on my fuge because I'm paranoid about overflows >.<. Also 2 overflows on my tank running a herbie style drain, which runs completely silent. Here are some pics of what I did. I drilled with a dremel and side cutting tile bit, which was really cheap. Doesn't work on tanks over 20 gal though. Could even do this in tupperware or whatever, design is the same.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee320/bobgoulsby/MonJan25193050PST2010.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee320/bobgoulsby/MonJan25193124PST2010.jpg

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/SdXwwDh0JOUlJLMA3twegw?feat=directlink

Here is an album with more pictures of the plumbing, etc.

Picasa Web Albums - Rob Gillespie - Aquarium Cons...

 

[jrgilles]

test to see if I can post an image...

 

[rainydave]

TJL has a drill press perfect for drilling tanks makes like so much easier. maybe you can bring that tank to his house and he can help you drill it

Oh man...wish I knew that a few months ago!