Sump/Refugium Build

Hello all,

I am new to this website and i'm starting a 90G reef tank and I have watched a bunch of videos on building a DIY sump/refugium. I've had prior reef experience when I was younger, my dad had a 125G tank built into his wall in his basement. I miss having a tank so I want to get back into the hobby on my own.

I was wondering if I could get some advise on my design and if you professionals think this would be sufficient for my 90G tank. It's nothing new but I want to make sure the placement of the glass is good.

Thanks for the help!

 

Are you planning on having a filter sock? If so then you'll need to build an extra compartment for your drain line. The way I did was, where you have your bubble trap, before your return, is where my drain is. The drain line will have a lot of air bubbles, and this is a good place for your Trap. On the opposite side I have my return chamber, with my return pump, which will also rise and fall with evaporation I.E. a good place to install an ATO. Your drawing looks pretty solid if you put a drain section in though. GL

 

What are you planning each section to be? Are you putting the fuge in the middle? Sand in the fuge? I only ask because when I built mine, it had the fuge in the middle. It didn't work out too well, there was a lot of flow. I had a 1" drop from the first chamber and all the sand would get stirred up when he water fell into the middle. And I don't think you need another section if you use a sock. I have my sock in the same section as my skimmer. Here is mine:

 

take a look at this thread, it may help - sump help

 

Great way to conserve space.

 

Thank's for all the insight on helping me with the build. I haven't decided if I am going to put filter socks in but if I do I think ill put them in the skimmer side where the tank drains. Just to conserve space. I'm about 6-7 weeks out before my stand and canopy get back from the builder so I have a lot of time to do some reading and watch videos. This forum is really helpful with gaining knowledge.

I couldn't resist to drive around to 6 different fish stores tonight looking for things & ideas. I ended up picking up the 29g tank and ordered the silicone, heater, thermometers, hydrometer and a phosban reactor from Dr. Foster and Smith's.

Now I have to decide if i'm going to get a 90G main display or the 110G...

 

Bigger is always better, and easier to Bragg about....lol Whichever you do, be sure to take lots of pics : )

 

I say go for the biggest tank you can afford and fit. I wish I would have started with a bigger tank.

 

Sump/refugium

I have a 75 gallon reef and I run a 55 gallon sump/refugium, can you have to big a system? It is almost filled with live rock and macro algae, skimmer, heaters(2), return pump, gfo and carbon reactor. I run a filter sock but I have no micro bubble I let the return run right into the sump next to the skimmer, I have no baffles at all the macro algae and live rock act as baffles and remove all of the micro bubbles. I run an LED fixture 24 hours a day over the tank. Water is perfect.

 

I would love to have a bigger sump however, I still need to have room under my stand for other things because of the room i'm putting it in. I'm sort of limited to space due to the wife. She has been supportive through the process so far but I can't push my luck. Started out with a 55G tank went up to a 90G and now it is a 110G. I'm pretty thankful.