what size fuge for my aquac skimmer and 150gal tank?

[ryanpal]

hey guys,

i have a 150gal tank with an aquac 150 or 180 (i'll have to double check i don't quite recall). i currently have a sump thats 30gallon.

i have chaeto in there but understand i should have a fuge so i dont clog the pump. anyone on the board have a similar setup?

few questions...
what size dimensions should i get?
anything i should keep in mind to make sure the fuge will work with my skimmer? (im not sure how much this varies from brand to brand)

lastly, how much would the cost be?

thanks,
ryan

 

[jazzsam]

hey guys,

i have a 150gal tank with an aquac 150 or 180 (i'll have to double check i don't quite recall). i currently have a sump thats 30gallon.

i have chaeto in there but understand i should have a fuge so i dont clog the pump. anyone on the board have a similar setup?

few questions...
what size dimensions should i get?
anything i should keep in mind to make sure the fuge will work with my skimmer? (im not sure how much this varies from brand to brand)

lastly, how much would the cost be?

thanks,
ryan

Size matters....... Depends on what you are going to put in there. I was going to put my skimmer in my sump but then decided to have it external so I actually redid the size to accomidate. I actually wanted more space in the return section because that was were you see evap first. My answer is....... It all depends on what you want to do and use.

 

[ryanpal]

thanks for your reply.

well since im new to refugiums, i'll answer the best i can.

i currently have my skimmer inside my sump, so i wouldn't mind this route with the fuge. i guess the main reason why i want to go the fuge route is so i can safely harbor the chaeto. right now its in my sump and once it grows it can be problematic for my pump. so basically, im open to keeping what i have (skimmer inside) and to be able to keep chaeto safely.

im open to any other suggestions for this setup.

ryan

 

[jazzsam]

You can check my tank build to see what I have. I have one tank split up into 3 sections. One Return section, one fuge, and one skimmer section. The bigger the better for a fuge so you can have more rock and good algae in there.

 

[MikeNapoli]

Ryan,

What's your fuge budget. I got an ADHI 45 fuge/sump ... I love it. But it was very expensive. You could also contact RichT and see if he can build one for you. As far as the size for your 150 .. you should follow the guidelines on the ADHI site.

Like Sam said Bigger is Better.

If I didn't get my ADHI45 Sump $470: http://championlighting.com/product.php?productid=22062&cat=0&page=1

I would have gotten this one $240: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3579+16745&pcatid=16745

 

[hayabusa2003]

If I didn't get my ADHI45 Sump $470: http://championlighting.com/product.php?productid=22062&cat=0&page=1

I would have gotten this one $240: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3579+16745&pcatid=16745

Both are nice sumps, but they're both made from 1/4in acrylic. For that price range, I would suggest contacting RichT for a custom build. The frag-swap-sump he built is being sold for $295 and he used 3/8in acrylic. That's the route I'll be using once I figure out what skimmer I'm upgrading to.

 

[reefsandrotts]

My 150 sump size is 60" long 12" wide and 14" high it has 4 chambers 2 for intake which are 4" long 1 on each end, my fuge is broken into 2 parts with a 9" center chamber for my pumps (thanks rich) that are drilled to allow water feed for the pumps.
Both fuges hold a DSB with macro and tons of critters.
Skimmer is external ETSS 1000.

 

[MadReefer]

Ryan,
There was a sump for sale from the Swap. I am not sure where the link is now. If you send RichT a PM he can let you know if it's available. I don't recall the dimensions or price.

Mark

 

[ryanpal]

thanks for the replies guys.

looks like the cost of a sump is a bit outa my range (at the moment). i was hoping it would only cost around $100 max (boy was i wrong ;D). looks like i'll have to find one used or wait a bit till i can get the funds.

thanks for the replies guys

 

[mladencovic]

thanks for the replies guys.

looks like the cost of a sump is a bit outa my range (at the moment). i was hoping it would only cost around $100 max (boy was i wrong ;D). looks like i'll have to find one used or wait a bit till i can get the funds.

thanks for the replies guys

I am not sure you got the picture right. Sump is just an additional storage for additional water and any container will be fine. The easiest way to do it is to go with some simple glass tank that will fit in the space that you have for the sump. The larger the better. You can also use rubbermaid or any other plastic containers (those that are sturdy enough and chemically stable) if the space and location permit (this what is ussually used for very large systems that have enough space). I am pretty much sure you can find a plenty of things to serve that purpose for less then 100$. For my 75 gal tank, i am using plain 20 gal tank that I bought for ~ 30$.

Also, the best way to utilize fuge is to set it up as a separate tank or a simple container. Now, in many occasions, space in setups (stands) is limited and people partition one section of their sump to use as a fuge. If you want only to grow chaeto for nutrient export, then, strictly speaking that is not a fuge. In that case you can place chaeto without any problems anywhere in the sump with any kind of light. Fuge (refugium) is primarily a place where you grow pods etc., and can serve as additional filtration mechanism through live rock, DSB, and/or macroalgae that you utilise for growth of pods. In my system, for a fuge, I use a plain 10gal tank that cost me only 10$.

I am not sure what were your concerns about skimmer and a fuge, since they don't have anything to do with each other. Depending on the type of skimmer, you might need to place it in the sump (natural place if it is in-the-water model). If it is outside-the-water model, intake can be either from the sump or from the main tank. Hooking intake or output of the skimmer to the fuge would be (in most cases) contraproductive for several reasons (disruptive to fuge, not enough flow for skimmer).

As for chaeto clogging the pumps, its growth pattern is safe in that respect. That is one of the main reasons why this plant is one of the most popular. Chaeto grows mostly in a clump and doesn't venture "roots" like caulerpa or other plants. It also stays in lit places and will not grow into intakes on its own. If you choose to grow it in the sump, simple baffle partition will keep it in check very effectively. Remember, chaeto is free floating and doesn't utilise surfaces as many other macrolagae do.

In the end I wold strongly advise you against buying sumps from the web/LFS - that is just a wast of money. On the other hand, I would strongly support you if you go with Rich making something for you, because, then, he can tailor it to your specific needs and setup so that you can maximize its functionality (volume, flow, placement of the rest of the equipment etc). Remember, sump does not need to look nice, it has to be functional and as large as possible.

 

[JerseyWendy]

This is how I built my sump, refugium included. Perhaps that'll give you an idea. It was super cheap to build, too, and works GREAT.

---
Wendy

 

[ryanpal]

great response mladencovic,

i currenlty have a sump and my concern was that the pump would suck it in (which hasn't happened yet because it's still a small clump. i guess i could always rig something to section it off.

at the current moment i guess i can do w/out a fuge. if that changes in the future i know where to come ;]