29g sump build

[OA3B]

Hello reefing/community

I am about to embark on an difficult journey in my reefing experience. I am looking to upgrade my current sump 20g system. I purchased my 90g with this sump. After doing some research I have learned that a 29g is the appropriate size for my system. So I purchased a 29g and looked at a few baffle kits. Why are ridiculously over priced kits? They look nice though, but I will give my hand a try. What is the that worse can happen. In my research I found that glass to glass bonding is better than acrylic to glass. My question to the community is the design. The size dimensions for a 20g and a 29g are pretty much the same, except for the height. I made two sketches for review. Also looking for input on the height of the baffles.

 

[Fishko]

Hello reefing/community

I am about to embark on an difficult journey in my reefing experience. I am looking to upgrade my current sump 20g system. I purchased my 90g with this sump. After doing some research I have learned that a 29g is the appropriate size for my system. So I purchased a 29g and looked at a few baffle kits. Why are ridiculously over priced kits? They look nice though, but I will give my hand a try. What is the that worse can happen. In my research I found that glass to glass bonding is better than acrylic to glass. My question to the community is the design. The size dimensions for a 20g and a 29g are pretty much the same, except for the height. I made two sketches for review. Also looking for input on the height of the baffles.

For the first baffle are you planning to have the water run under or over. It would be better if the water flows over and under. Or possibly just under. Id also recommend having the refugium after the skimmer section to avoid having the pods skimmed out.

 

[Fla04gbf]

For the first baffle are you planning to have the water run under or over. It would be better if the water flows over and under. Or possibly just under. Id also recommend having the refugium after the skimmer section to avoid having the pods skimmed out.

Agree with fishko, you should reserve some space for a refugium unless you plan to get an external cheato reactor or something like than. The refugium is the best thing i have ever upgraded so far for my tank. Really made a huge difference to my nutrient levels and the growth of corals. In terms of the height for the glass, i think there is not set rules (please correct me if i am wrong). I built mine and i just made sure i left enough room for the increase in water volume when i turn my return pump off + some margin. You just don’t want your sump to overflow and flood the floor if you know what i mean. Good luck with the DIY! Happy reefing!

 

[OA3B]

For the first baffle are you planning to have the water run under or over. It would be better if the water flows over and under. Or possibly just under. Id also recommend having the refugium after the skimmer section to avoid having the pods skimmed out.

Good point, never gave the pods a thought. So skimmer then refugium it is. The flow for the first baffle will be going over then under.

 

[OA3B]

Agree with fishko, you should reserve some space for a refugium unless you plan to get an external cheato reactor or something like than. The refugium is the best thing i have ever upgraded so far for my tank. Really made a huge difference to my nutrient levels and the growth of corals. In terms of the height for the glass, i think there is not set rules (please correct me if i am wrong). I built mine and i just made sure i left enough room for the increase in water volume when i turn my return pump off + some margin. You just don’t want your sump to overflow and flood the floor if you know what i mean. Good luck with the DIY! Happy reefing!

Thanks,
I agree about the size of the refugium area, and my main reason for this upgrade. I’m looking to have a little more stability with my nutrients. I will have macros, a tray of miracle mud, and some rubble rock.