Proposed Fish To Add

My tank has been established for about 6 1/2 months now. I was going to put the macro in something, like an in tank fuge or eggcrate in the back of my tank where my strong powerhead is directed. Should I add macros before or after i get my first fish and corals? Im guessing wait till I have a couple fish. My nitrates are at 10 right now. Phosphates are nothing.

The problem with building my fuge is finding the right size. a 10g won't fit underneath my cabinet, and it would be kind of big being to the side of my tank. I think i would have trouble with the pumps returning to the tank and to the fuge. I have a 15g eclipse tall tank also, but it currently has tropical fish in it. I could consider putting that underneath my tank, but there isn't a whole lot of room. I proposed going with a 5.5 gallon, since it would fit perfect to the side of my tank.

 

You could temporarily put some cheato in a soapdish (with suction cups) from Linens and Things (or similar place).

They work great for frag racks too

 

If your handy you could build your own sump out of acryllic sheets and weldon cement. That way you custom build the size and shape you need. It would not be too hard to build a small sump like your talking about. Your other options are to see if you can find a rubbermaid tub that would fit under your tank. Even ice chests can be used as sumps.

 

I just need to figure out how I will build it, as far as the intake side of the fuge, the center where I will be holding my macros and such, and the side wehre the water is sent back to the tank. Anybody have a picture or DIY job they could show me?

 

Melevsreef.com - Welcome! This is a great site to get design ideas. If your considering making your own sump, then use the most simple design which is a 3 comparment design where the overflow from the tank flows into one compartment which overflows into the middle compartment which would be your refugium. This would then flow into the last compartment through a bubble trap. The last compartment would contain your return pump. It's a very simple design that I use on my sumps and fuges and it works great.

Its sump Model E on the web site above. However, if your sump is too small you may only be able to make 2 compartments and have your fuge in the first one along with the overflow from the tank which would be ok because macro algae does better with good water flow.

 

Im just confused on the park to how the water is sent to the sump/fuge and back to the tank. Im guessing the position of the pumps matter? I would just be afraid of an overflow.

 

You use an overflow to get the water from the tank to the sump and a pump to return the water from the sump back to the tank. There's nothing to be afraid of with an overflow. You only fill the sump 1/2 way. I adjust the height of my hang on tank overflow so it fills the sump 1/2 way so there is not chance of flooding. You never should fill a sump all the way to the top. Thats just asking for a flood.

 

Ok. This will definatly be a fun summer project to do. Underneath my tank i don't have a whole lot of room, about 20 inches length of space and 6 inches width. I will do some measurements to see how I will make it. Does it matter if the sump is tall and thin?

I cannot drill in the bottom of the tank either obviously, so I need and out of tank overflow.