Opinions pretty please ;)

Ok, hopefully this will be the last post to pick your brains about this particular topic. I want to see what ya'll think of these dimensions as far as the baffles because for some reason that's what's holding me up the most :/

Stats first: main tank's a 110g. going to be using an Eshopps pf-800 overflow box with %75 draining into sump and the rest into the fuge. My sump/fuge will be in a 30g long (36"L 12"W 16"H). return flow with a quiet one 4000 (approx 4ft vertical return to tank).

OK...so the question! 1.) First part of the sump will be the intake area with skimmer (Coralife super skimmer 125) then 1.5" spaced bubble trap. Baffles @ 9.5"x2 then 9". 2.) second part is return area @ approx a foot long (w/live rock) 3.) third part is fuge w/baffle @ 12". Figuring @ least 4-5 live sand which will leave 7"water (maybe less sand?).

ps. not concerned with skimmer height as I intend to use eggcrate to lift it higher if needed...already messed with it. I'm more interested in having enough water in sump/intake area until i get a basic ATO system running.

Thank you for your time & patience helping a newb get his first diy project going!

 

Sounds good although a little flow through the fuge will help.

 

it sounds right to me. I would put in a ball valve on your overflow to the fuge and dial it way down, much less than 25%.. fuges love slow water..

 

I wouldn't put rock in the return area,just takes up space from water.The more water you can get in this area(as long as it doesn't overflow when power goes off)the longer you can go before you have to top off.

 

I had to google your pump, so hopefully I have accurate data……Your dropping 800 GPH and using a 1000 GPH return pump with 4’ vertical run and presumably some elbows to add to the HP – probably a perfect match. I’d still suggest a ball valve be installed, easiest to install it now even if its for future use.

In my opinion your planning on too much flow through your fuge – I know many prefer this and many prefer to the slow method as I do. I suggest you tee the line running to the fuge and install a ball valve as well – that way you end up with the option of fiddling around with the flow rates to see what works best for you. Various macro’s respond differently to water flow and lighting, so what works for one tank might not work for another and I would like to see you have options down the road.

If your tank is a reef with plenty of rock I also do not see the need for further displacement in your sump. I agree with the 4-5 inches of sand in the fuge. Good luck with your project !

 

Wow! Great info guys, seriously. Thank you! I'd intended to use a ball valve to control the flow going to the fuge. I'll have to figure out a lesser value than %25...I'm guessing a little more than a trickle...slowww stream.

As far as the return, I've read enough on here to realize adding a ball/gate valve after a 'T' off for the return is also a good idea.

Thank you for the confirmation also on the sand in the fuge and the need (lack of) for more live rock in the return area

Hopefully when i get it all running I can take a pic here for an update. It's taking a lot longer than I'd expected to get a plan on how to 'set it up', get the parts I need etc. I still have to get all the plumbing for it. Waiting on the pump to arrive and still need to get the baffles cut/installed. +k for ya'll's help!