Building a Hang On Back Refugium...need help?

InDahOcean · Jul 19, 2016

uhh i think i find the problem the overflow box is rigid, it's like leaning on the wall of the tank. Is there a way to fix this?

InDahOcean · Jul 19, 2016

ok, I understand now, that's quite a clever design. Oh, I check the overflow box just now, and I discovered that the overflow box is rigid. It's leaning on the wall of the tank. So I guess not enough water is coming into the overflow and into the sump. Any way to fix this?

InDahOcean · Jul 19, 2016

Also this pump here https://www.eheim.com/en_GB/products/technology/pumps/compact_plus, what hosing should i get for it that can also connect to the Y valve?

ReeferMaddness843 · Jul 19, 2016

InDahOcean said:
ok, I understand now, that's quite a clever design. Oh, I check the overflow box just now, and I discovered that the overflow box is rigid. It's leaning on the wall of the tank. So I guess not enough water is coming into the overflow and into the sump. Any way to fix this?

Can you add a pic of overflow lean issue? Don't think that's it based on what info I've gotten so far. If water is getting lower and lower in sump, it has to be getting higher in the tank. Matter of displacement as it has to be somewhere. If you keep adding to the sump, does it keep pulling down until it begins to suck air? If so, that's an issue of too much return flow. If the display won't keep a constant flow through the overflow, that's a lack of return pump power. The sizing of pipe depends on your returns and pump piping size. Whatever size you're running now, buy a "y", ball valve, and extra hose long enough to extend to overflow section of sump that will securely remain in place. (That's what I'm understanding, if I'm wrong just lemme know) May be tied up a bit but will jump back on this thread as time allows.

InDahOcean · Jul 19, 2016

Here are some pictures of the leaning tower of Pisa overflow box.

Like it's slanted.

InDahOcean · Jul 19, 2016

Yeah, I think it's the slanted overflow box that is the issue. When I correct the overflow box to a 90-degree angle, it drains a lot of water in no time.

InDahOcean · Jul 20, 2016

Hey, I need help again. What protein skimmer you recommend for a 55-gallon tank? A good and affordable protein skimmer. Also here is my sump design. I'm gonna have 5 pieces of acrylic, The first chamber is gonna be where my water go from the overflow box, also where I'm gonna keep my protein skimmer. The dimension of the first chamber is 6'-8'x12'x7'-10' (LxWxH) (for now I don't really know about the protein skimmer dimension, so the length of the first chamber is gonna be unknown). Also, I have a question what should the water level for the protein skimmer should be? 6', 7', 8', 10'? Oh and depending the height of the first chamber, can I add additional water into the sump without flooding the tank?
Ok, next chamber is gonna be where the filter socks are gonna be. I'm probably just gonna get 2 filter socks, and make 2 sock holders. The dimension of that chamber is 5'x12'x6'-9' (height of this chamber is also gonna depend on the first one) (the 6'-9' is the height of the acrylic sheet, but I will probably leave an inch gap for the water to flow through into the refugium). Obviously, the next chamber is the refugium, and that is gonna be big. The dimension is gonna be 12'x12'x7'-10' for the refugium. Next, I'm gonna have the water flow over a baffle, and into this 1/2 inch space that leads to the returning pump. Here is a blueprint or design i guess?

Frop · Jul 21, 2016

InDahOcean said:
Really if I'm gonna build a 10 gallons sump it's gonna cost more than the 4.8 because I have the power head pump and materials for a HOB DIY. I'm not biased of the 10 gallons idea, and I can totally build that (not a HOB style though). I was just wondering will it be worth (the extra money) and does the extra gallons of water makes a difference?

Glass ~ $10
5.5Gal ~ $15
Overflow ~ $30 (eBay)
Return ~ $10
Pump ~ $8
Tubing ~ $2
Sealant ~ $10

This fuge is directly behind my 10 gal cost me about $85 not including the heater, sand (that I had extra), chaeto, spray paint, saltwater, wood it sits on, and soon to be protein skimmer.