Sump/Refuge Design

Hi Mark, just thought I'd throw in my 2 cents...as mentioned there are many different ways to setup a sump, but I'll have to agree with the other feedback you've gotten so far, you wouldn't regret making the changes now, it will make your life easier in the long run when it comes to maintenance. Over the years I've tried a few different sump designs, the one I found that works the best (for me) is a single tank with baffles. Skimmer on one side, fuge w/ dsb on the other side and return pump in the middle section. In my current sump I added a few more baffles in the middle section and added some LR rubble before the return pump. I believe it's better to slow the flow rate going through the fuge section, especially if you plan to grow some macro algae in the fuge. I'm assuming you only have 1 overflow on your 55, so if you choose to go with this approach, you'll have to split your overflow line and add a couple of gate-valves.

Here's my current design, just to give you some additional ideas...

 

Very well said post Powerman. I started cutting out the baffles in my 40gal this evening. I'll put out a delta design later this week.

Believe me, I don't take criticism hard ... quite the opposite... I appreciate it. I also seriously respect experience above all else. In my job, these attributes are a must. Throw out your thoughts and rationale... get critiqued.... adjust... try gain... test.... test... test... adjust... repeat until it is as good as you can get. In my job at NASA, lives are on the line thus people better be able to handle critiques or they are in the wrong field. SO, I very much appreciate the comments. I'll incorporate and try again. Something simpler.

Thanks, more to come.
Mark

 

BTW, Powerman, what is "GFO"?? I googled it trying to find it and couldn't.

Thanks
Mark

 

GFO... Granulated Feric Oxide.. It removes phosphates.

 

Thanks, the next step in my learning is to understand dosing and reactors and what all I need to do there.

I got my new overflow and my new lights in the mail today. So I spent the evening installing those and tearing out some of the baffles in my 40 gal tank. Slow but sure. It will get there.

Can anyone point me to some reading on reactors and dosing? Something "top-down"... I keep finding all this detail stuff without the framework to understand what's going on and why.

Thanks everyone.

Mark

 

At the risk of sending you to the dark side, here is a new article this month in ReefKeeper Mag.

Reefkeeping Magazine - Calcium Reactors… In, Out and Everything in Between

I can't remember if it was you, or another person, but you are quite a ways away from a reactor.You should just start out dosing while you learn what's up with keeping your tank right. Tons of products out there, but by far the best, simplest, and cheapest is Bulk Reef Supply. Learn it, know it, love it. BRS rules, and I am by far the only fan. 2 part (Ca/Alk) Magnesium, activated carbon, GFO, reactor media, RO/DIs, reactors.... Great company.

The 2 part dosing kit is $70. Comes with jugs dispensers, measuring cups calcium alkalinity, Mg. For a new tank it would probably last you a year and a half. I was paying $20 a month for a little jar at my LFS

There are large SPS tanks still dosing 2 part. Reactors are good things, but personally, I don't want one. At that is coming from a grear geek. Here is a recent thread discussing the two. Turned out pretty good.

http://www.3reef.com/forums/water-chemistry/2-part-dosing-vs-reactors-74496.html

 

And I am just the opposite, I gave up dosing 5+ years ago for a calcium reactor and would never think of going back to dosing. Different opinions and they both work.
I found dosing in a SPS dominated system to be a PITA and the reactor simplified that problem. It takes a week or two to get it dialed in correctly but they really are plug and play from there if set up and controlled properly.
Keep reading and asking for critiques on your thoughts and ideas and choose the method or idea that you feel most comfortable with, there really is no wrong or right, its all about experimentation and having fun. One thing I do suggest though is start out with hardy fish and corals if you choose to stray too far, a little more humane I suppose.