Another "Igloo" idea(?)

[omard]

Have been struggleing with ideas thoughts for "sump" for my soon to arrive 120.

Use existing 20 gal sitting out in garage? - Buy bigger size glass tank? - Buy pre-made? - Go out and buy some acrylic/glass and try to glue together myself?

Saw at Wal-mart yester a "giant" plastic "Igloo" cooler. Measures about 36" X 20" X 20" - (sale $29.00) - advertised as 100 qts - but suspect holds more - quite "durable" looking.

Pull off cover and seems perfect for a sump & will fit great under new stand under construction.

Best solution have come across so far.

Now just have to solve "refugium problem" - put smaller glass tank in sump? - Use small tub ("Nautilus" method)?

Question? - If I use "raised" glass tank outside tub - with powerhead pumping into it - how do you setup fail safe gravity return line/siphon back to sump?

??

OmarD

Well you could use that but if you later decide to use a bulk head or something else needing to go through the wall you can't do it with an igloo. The rubbermaid tubs at Home depo are anywhere from 8 to 25 bucks and you can use bulkheads on them if needed.

I would put the refugium above or beside the sump but just a little higher.
Drill a hole into the glass tank about 2 to 3 " from the top and use a bulkhead and PVC pipe back to sump. the pumped water into the refugium will then equal the amount of water going back into the sump. That is why I used rubbermaid tub as I just cut a hole big enough for the bulk head and used PVC pipe back to sump. I put the refugium onto bricks and a board so that it was higher than the sump and the return PVC was sloping downwards at a 30 degree angle.

This is how mine is setup Phil

[omard]

Thanks, got it..

Am giving up idea now for glass refugium - was just tryin to make use of spare aquarium I had laying about. (always planned to use it for quarantine tank someday, if needed)..I like way yours it set up. Will do similar.

Am going with the extra large cooler for a sump, till I see something better.

Its size fits my needs - long, wide and low. Very sturdy and durable. - In fact, think it would be very easy to insert a bulkhead if I need to one day.

Thanks again,

Scott

[omard]

Oh...nother question...

What is purpose of "spray bar" in sump (coming from sump)?

S

[omard]

That is supposed to be "Spray bar" in "refugium"...

[Phil5613]

May sound dumb but what lighting are you using with new setup? The reason I ask is if you use a "cooler" for a sump it doesn't allow any heat dissapation in your sump area and you may find the water staying warmer then you want it. The lights, pumps and power heads all generate heat so, much so on my 90 that I never see the heater kick on and the temp stays at 82 degrees. I know with circulation and flow the water isn't in the sump for long but every little bit helps and the cost of a chiller far outways the savings on a cooler.

The water movement in the refugium does not need to be a rapid flow. The spray bar turns the water enough but does not disturb the sand or the algae. This gives hiding places for the little creatures I have in there.
I use a construction clip on reflector with a flood light, or grow light, 40 watts min and 75 watt max. I have used different lights but the flood light 50 watt seems to do fine.

[omard]

@Phil5613...

Good point! - heat dissapation not something I had considered.

Water in sump not ever going to be staying around long as am planning good sized "return" pump and dual mega flows on tank should be dumping pretty good volumn.

Will use a refugium light size like Nautilus recommends.

But now am going to install fans (an "in" and "out" on sides of "sump cabinet" currently under construction. --- off to Home Depot once again...

Thanks,

OmarD

LOL you crack me up some times....