20g sump/fuge design????

i have limited space to add a sump and so on so i have built my own 20g to fit but want to double check a few things before adding dividers

i have put a lot of thought into it

have done some rough plans but have all the measurments done, the first part runs into a box nearly as high as the tank and overflows into the fuge, this then overflows only into the skimmer part which in then in turn flows to the return part. the skimmer and return ar obviously on the same level

one other thing can the return from my skimmer go back into the skimmer section


thanks

 

http://www.3reef.com/forums/reef-aquarium-articles-how-tos/all-about-sumps-filters-fuges-79852.html

Powerman has laid it all out there -

I would not build your design to be honest - you have 100% of the flow going through the fuge which, if you plan on having a DSB and allowing pods to grow in peace - that will be too much flow.

Read through that thread and that will give you all the answers you need and then some!

 

ok thanks
if i could direct part of what comes from the main tank straight to the skimmer with taps would that work, what i would like to do is keep the fuge size just in case i want to add a fish in there for safe keeping this would cut the ammount going into it. i have seen loads of designs but legnth is not on my side due to a support beam in the middle of my tank

 

I dont understand what you are saying/asking.

You need to read through the article and understand the concepts behind the design of the fuges.

Extra space in your fuge for a fish? You mean as a isolation tank? You should not need such an area if you plan you stocking and space it well enough. And you would not be able to treat or quarantine the fish in the fuge of the system as it would not be isolated. Also, if you have a DSB in a section of fuge which is maybe 10 gallons - you are looking at 5 gallons or less of water - not very much space for any fish.

 

the biggest section will probably have about 8 gallons as it wont fill to the top. anywhoos, this part would be more for say a fish that doesnt fit in with the rest and somwhere to keep it out from the rest. as you say it would be too much water running from my drain tank through this section for pods and what not so if i diverted say 60% of the drain water directly into the skimmer section and the other 40% or whatever would be recomended into my overflow that goes into the fuge section thus cutting the water flow into this section dramatically. i cant build it all inline as space is not on my side.

i would say from your reccomendations though that my design is the same but the skimmer, bubble trap and return are set the other way, i can also see in to photos that he has most of his water draining directly into the skimmer with a little bit draining into his fuge

have also updated photo with some piping

if on the other hand if i didnt want to add a dsb for the moment and just wanted the space for heaters/rock and anything else would i be ok to go ahead with the origional design?

 

Here's my 20 gallon long sump that I use for my 29 Gallon High tank.


Overflow goes to filter sock which is in the same chamber as the skimmer.
That section goes through 3 baffels, one of which I have some egg crate in and place my media such as chemipure. Then it goes through my fuge before going over one baffel to the return section. It works great and I have tond of pods. I don't have an enormous amount of flow going through it.