Your opinions on my sump design

[Dale]

Hi rocketlily,

Three concerns that come to mind regarding refugiums are:

Designing too small a space to be effective for nutrient reduction
Low flow designs that become problematic nutrient sinks
Using Macro alga's that don't fit the design

When designing a fuge I think it's important to be quite specific about the function you want it to serve and the type of macro algae you might stock. The more specific at the design stage, the better the end result. A refugium can:

be used for nutrient conversion/export
be a breeding place for micro organisms
be a quiet place for delicate fish or corals
be stocked with macro algae, live rock, sandbeds or mud beds.

Any thoughts on your proposed application?

[Boomboy]

ive got an idea why not switch your return pump and your refugium and instead of the long part for your refugium why not cut that part off, and make the now switched refuge and put one or two more baffles in there.

[rocketlily]

Originally Posted by Dale

Hi rocketlily,

Three concerns that come to mind regarding refugiums are:

Designing too small a space to be effective for nutrient reduction
Low flow designs that become problematic nutrient sinks
Using Macro alga's that don't fit the design

When designing a fuge I think it's important to be quite specific about the function you want it to serve and the type of macro algae you might stock. The more specific at the design stage, the better the end result. A refugium can:

be used for nutrient conversion/export
be a breeding place for micro organisms
be a quiet place for delicate fish or corals
be stocked with macro algae, live rock, sandbeds or mud beds.

Any thoughts on your proposed application?

I am not sure what I'lll be doing in the fuge at this time, but I want a design that will not limit me in the future.

[Okguy]

Originally Posted by rocketlily

I am not sure what I'lll be doing in the fuge at this time, but I want a design that will not limit me in the future.

Too keep your options open, I suggest T'ing off the overflow and using a valve to control the flow through the Refugium. This will allow you to control the flow with absolute certainty.

Originally Posted by banditpowdercoat

I have a 45g corner and was thinking of making a sump like that. Just have a 10G sump right now. Got to learn to do acrylic, or find someone to build me one hint hint

Ha, Ha. I'm the biggest spaz when it comes to building things. I just followed the instructions on Melev's Reef website http://www.melevsreef.com/
The only thing I did differently (other than twisting the design) was I went to a glass shop to have my acrylic cut (which is the hardest part of the entire build). Just make sure you tell them to cut the acrylic with a saw and not score it with a knife.

Seriously if I can do it, anyone can

Kevin

[Marlin65]

Ha, Ha. I'm the biggest spaz when it comes to building things. I just followed the instructions on Melev's Reef website http://www.melevsreef.com/
The only thing I did differently (other than twisting the design) was I went to a glass shop to have my acrylic cut (which is the hardest part of the entire build). Just make sure you tell them to cut the acrylic with a saw and not score it with a knife.

Seriously if I can do it, anyone can

Kevin[/quote]

Cut Acrylic on the table saw with a carbide blade. Use wood hole saws with cooling to drill holes and make sure your edges are absolutely straight and smooth for a good fit.