I got my Fuge. Help w/ details.

i would say the 1/16 glass should be plenty... its all siliconed in there anyways. That bond should be pretty stong... i could be wrong.

 

Thanks guys. Since I can't drop the middle partition straight down, I will probably just redo that side. I think the glass thickness will be fine. I'm thinking of making the skimmer overflow a bit wider and putting in a thin tray to run carbon on.


So what about flow and detrius build up? Most I have heard is 100-200 gph in a regular fuge. Much higher for mangroves. Tangster sugested as low as 10-15 gph. Whatever extra I can get from plumbing improvements, I'm sending to the fuge.

My return pump does the same as my Mag 7 on my skimmer. The return plumbing is restrictive. I'm redoing it to get flow to my fuge. I don't know how much I will get, but some calcs say another 100-150 gph with piping changes.

With a real low turn over, less detrius will make it to the fuge Thought about running a filter sock to the fuge to help. Could run in line after the skimmer, but it seems it would be "too" clean at that point. I want enough waste to feed the fuge, but not so much to cause build up.

What are your thoughts?

 

My skimmer section is after my fuge and my tank is full of pods. I don't think it matters as much as people think it does. I think you should do whatever maximizes your water volume and is easiest to build. I do limit flow into my fuge section with a PVC valve. I split the flow so most goes directly into the skimmer section tokeep the flow through the fuge relatively low.

I use absolutely no mechanical filtration in my setup. The chaeto in my fuge acts as mechanical filtration I guess. Tons of pods and worms in there cleaning up whatever gets trapped.

 

Sweet. Seems easy to get tunnel vision as to why it should be done "this way". Interesting how so many people have sucssesful tanks with totally different setups.

It seems that most that do in line setups don't split overflow. Didn't even think about it actually.

 

I'm changing out the baffles with 1/4" glass. I'm just using one pane on the fuge side. Don't see a need for a bubble trap. tasking out the column too, but wuill keep the one on the skimmer side to direct water to skimmer pump.

So... Should I incorporate some sort of filter for the fuge overflow??? Just something to catch any algae that might get int othe return?

 

Found that link that shows how to remove the existing sump from under tank if you are still interested ?

Marc's Super Sump

good luck

 

I would use 1/4". That's what I used in my 40gal sump/fuge. That is what a tech support rep at All-Glass told me as well. On my fuge side the water is 13"H x 17 1/2 wide. Also, keep in mind. Silicones do have limitations & not all have the same drying time. Mine was 7 - 14 days for it to fully harden.

 

Thanks Van. I could not visualize it before, but it all makes sense now.

Man, that is so scary looking. I know it's braced, just gives me the willies. Gives me something to think about because there is no way that sump is comming out. This is simpler and more effective than what I was thinking.
I'll have to take a look at my stand to see it I could do something similar.

 

RE: filter socks....some like them other's don't. I would never run a filter sock from the output to the fuge. Too many nutrients lost that can be used. If you want to run a sock, I would do it at the output of the skimmer. You will catch some detrius this way without completely starving the system. Also, you will get......Well, I almost said 'rid of microbubbles', but you have bubble traps....nevermind. You could also run a sock on the input to your sump (I am assuming you will have a split from the main line....one to the sump and one to the fuge with ball valves to control flow).

Now, you do have to clean filter socks often. Twice weekly is the norm in my house. Put in the washer with a little bleach on gentle cycle (also two rinse cycle if you have the option). Hang dry. Rinse well in a bucket before using.

 

So far, I'm happier cleaning my skimmer than replacing, or cleaning filters. I think I could live with cleaning the one I use to break the fall from the skimmer. I always ran a pre filter because I want clear water. After not running it a while, I saw the skimmer just picked up the slack.