New Sump / Refugium Info Needed

I would like to build a sump / fuge and get rid of my cannister filter ASAP.
In order to do this I will have to build a new stand to accomodate. Before I build the stand I need to know what size sump / fuge will be most sufficient for my tank (60g). I have done a lot of research on how to build this. I just need to know the specifics for my tank. I really like the set up that psiclone has and was planning on duplicating it as seen here.

http://www.3reef.com/forums/show-off-your-fish-tanks/psiclones-55-gallon-reef-tank-61026.html

A. Will a 30g Sump / Fuge be a good size?
B. WIll a Mag 9 return be sufficient? and is this thing LOUD? I need something quiet as I can get it.
C. What type of HOB overflow should I get and where?
D. Am I missing anything?


Keep in mind I want to do this right, but as inexpensive as possible. I am in college for web design / development so the cash flow is tight. Thanks in advance.

 

For my 90, I run a 20g sump/fuge. I just put a piece of acrylic to separate out the fuge chamber and a piece of eggcrate on top of that. Siliconed it. Normally, you do not want to adhere acrylic to glass with silicone, but dividers are OK. An 'outside wall' would pose a problem.

A Mag 9.5 is too much for your 60. You only want about 5 to 8x turnover to your sump/fuge anyway. So a Mag 7 would do you well. You could also go with a Rio. I have run Rio for my return the last year with no problems. They are half the price of a Mag. With my 90, I run a Rio 2100+. You could get away with a Rio, but the head pressure drops significantly at four feet. You may have to settle with a 2100 and dial it down a bit with a ball valve (not the one included---get a real one).

For an overflow, don't go with the standard J tube. There is a modified J tube (Eshopps) that looks good. I prefer the CPR overflow with the aqualifter (and filter).

You can put the whole thing together for a bout $200 to $225. Give or take. But that is what you are looking at.......

 

Ok I just found a 20g on craiglist for $20 30 long X 12 high X 12 deep. Im gonna pick that up after work. Then the project begins.. I will have pictures and stuff to show as I do it. Probably have to draft up a design for the stand as well. Thanks John..

Is there a way to incorporate a QT into this build? Would I need a seperate 3rd tank? I hate putting new fish into my tank with the risk of them having ICH or something.

 

A small third tank would do for a qt, totally seperate from the dt,sump/fuge to keep anything from "sneaking in".

 

Might just set that up in the future and make it seperate. Hide it in a closet or something lol.

 

Ok stand is being built.. pictures soon.. Do I need a special type of silicone for the dividers in the sump / fuge? I just picked up some acrylic / plexiglass and some silicone.. Dont want to make it out of anything that will kill the fish....

 

Check it out here

http://www.3reef.com/forums/show-of...tank-aptasia-playground-66916.html#post645215

 

Make sure it's 100% silicone, no additives, you can get it at home depot in the big tubes to fit a caulking gun.

 

If you decide to QT things, that tank needs to be completely separate, and not plumbed in. If you plumb it in, might as well not QT at all.
A 30 would be fine, or even a 20 long. Fot the return, I recommend a true PVC gate valve, not a ball. Gate valves are a lot more accurate and will take less fiddling to get dialed in, well worth the extra money.
For the overflows, go with Eshopps. There are a ton of ways the CPRs can cause potential floods. With the Eshopps, its much less likely.

 

I do have plans for a 20gal refugium if you need them. In pics you can see what the after project will look like.