Sump/Fuge/Skim/TopOff/Argh!

Currently I'm using an Ecosystems HOB Fuge/Skimmer with a 40 gal breeder, and am having trouble working out how best to add a topoff system.

With the current set up, and baring in mind that a soon-to-be-added Vortech will be creating 1-3" waves, I can't see a logical place for the topoff float device. If it goes in the display, it will have to be set to come on during the vortech's night cycle to determine water level. If it goes in the fuge, it won't know that topoff is required until the main tank drains 8" (under the fuge's gravity return).

All i can come up with is the addition of an under-tank sump, purely for the topoff float. Have attached a sketch of the proposed system, would it work or is it overkill?

Thanks (for the third time this week).

 

What kind of filtration are you using? You just mentioned a skimmer.

Get an overflow box and sump/refugium and it will keep the display tank at a constant level, then you can use the float device in the sump and set it at whatever level you want to down there and the display tank level won't change.

That's the only way I can think of that it would work. Using the float in the display tank, even if the wave thing is off is sort of ghetto - not that I haven't done ghetto things with my tank... but that is visibly ghetto

This will also help with your nitrate problem!

 

I'm not opposed to ghettofied stuff, but having what amounts to a great big piece of toilet in my display isn't too appealling.. ha ha

I hadn't planned on getting a "filter" filter, as i was under the impression the liverock/dsb/algae/skimmer does that job in an established tank. Is that incorrect?

So let me get this straight; with what you suggest the display continuously overflows into the sump/fuge until evaporation causes the overflow to cease, which is where the topoff float in the sump kicks in?

 

Liverock/dsb/skimmer work great for filtration but with the sump you can make it a refugium and keep macroalgae in there (like cheato) which will consume nitrates, plus the added water volume will also help. Another benefit of the sump is that you can put your skimmer in there, depending on what kind it is.

As far as the overflow box, it's kind of hard to explain but it never loses it's siphon, it always keeps a continuous level in the tank and will not drop below that, the only area affected by evaporation is the sump. YOu would just have a pump in there to run the water back to the display tank.