Sump Design (Looking for input)

Tough call, I really think ...my opinion... that a good quality skimmer will be better for your tank than a fuge. Both are quite beneficial, but sump skimmers are much better than HOBs. You could have a skimmer section and still grow some cheato for nutrient export, but it won't really be a fuge for pods and such, DSB. Or just have the fuge, increase your volume a bit, and get a really good HOB. SWC, Warner Marine H1, perhaps one of the new Super Reef Octos.

 

Hmm interesting.. I really appreciate the help... I have a 15G acrylic bowfront tank sitting around.. do you think there may be a way to use that as the fuge and connect it into the sump somehow?

 

Absolutely. Not uncommon at all. Just let gravity do the work. You will have to drill the tank though. Put in a bulkhead and let it overflow to the return section. At about half full you are looking at 7g...with a DSB...down to 3-4g. Plenty.

Only thing is.... it should be as tall as the other...like on a stand. Point being is when you turn off your return pump, you will back flow some water from your display tank. So you just don't want a small tank that will overflow next to a taller tank that still has room. Does that make sense?

 

Yes actually that makes perfect sense, thanks alot on that topic. As for the height.. um the 20T is 15.75" to the top lip from bottom of glass. and the acryilic tank is 17" fron bottom to top, so they are pretty close.

 

sweet