what to do...

so i am new at this hobby, made a few poor beginner choices and now i am looking to upgrade out of these poor choices..

anyway for the past 6 hours i have stared at the pump/filters threads to decide what the best solution is to turn my 37g glass tank into the perfect reef setup (without drilling any holes)

i want to do a sump but im just sitting here scratching my head as to how to get this going.. can anyone give me an indepth list of above average compenents to make a fully functional sump style filtration system. or even give me a laundry list of what you have (granted you have a reef tank around my size)

the only thing i have right now is a crappy eclipse 3 that is going bye bye the second i do the sump because i will be getting MH lighting in correlation , and i have a red sea prizm skimmer that i can still use.



thanks in advance for the help!

 

So...where to start.....

Your sump will hopefully sit right below your display tank. It will consist of the largest tank you can fit down there. It will be divided into several simple chambers. There will be a section for the skimmer to sit, heater, a refugium with macroalgaes, and your return pump. The water should flow from your tank using an overflow box to the sump. The overflow box is a box that sits on the inside of your display tank that creates a siphon. They are also capable of stopping a siphon and they determine the water level in the display. Wait... heres a pic of my setup.....

the skimmer and heater are on the right. The water comes from the overflow into the sump into the right chamber. I also have my heater in that chamber as well. The skimmed water (full of microbubbles) flows through the 3 baffles (glass or plexi separaters) and prevents bubbles from flowing through, called a bubble trap. Then the water flows through the refugium and over the last baffle into the return chamber where the return pumps shoots the water back up. Your sump design may not be exact to mine, but that is a reference. It is very basic and simple and works for my needs. Keep posting questions until you have a solid understanding.

 

thanks so much Mattheuw!

ive grasped the concept, one question did you buy your sump with baffles in place? or did you construct it yourself?, if so what is the best way to do so?. i am a Mercedes Benz tech so being handy is no problem at all. and one more thing what are the components of the refugium? macroalgaes?

 

The only major additions you will need for a fuge is: macro algae, like you said, and a light. If your going to build a sump you may as well go the extra mile and make it a fuge also.

I recommend building it yourself. It will save you a ton of money and you will end up with a sump that is just as functional.

Here's a list to get you started:
HOB overflow
20g long or bigger if you have room glass tank
return pump
plumbing
cheap light almost anything will do with the right bulbs in it
Glass cut to sizes you need for baffles

Here is a thread that someone just posted with a good design on it:
http://www.3reef.com/forums/refugium/sump-design-73401.html

 

alright great! i think i will do that, as far as the lighting for it, what would suffice for a fuge? because i will already be spending a pretty penny on a MH for the display tank.

ps.

i will have my eclipse 3 lighting fixture when i ripp it of during this whole change over process.

 

You will just need a spiral light and a fixture. Most hardware stores sell a big round reflector fixture and you can pick up a 30 watt (the higher wattage the better) spiral fluorescent bulbs and that will do it. Should be possible for under 10 bucks, but your eclipse light would work too.

Local reefers in wisconsin are always selling pre-made sumps, maybe you can find one on craisgslist or your local reef site! I would suggest making it because it is very easy, just time consuming. Either use 1/4" acrylic or glass. Glue with silicone.