I know what is required. It's just that the sump design is weird. It's big and strong but weird. The DT is 1500 litres (~350 gallon). The sump came pre installed with the tank and a all aluminium stand. It's over 5 feet long and holds ~ 500 litres (~ 120 gallons) of water.
OK how it works: The main overflow (I installed 2 more for more flow and for overflow emergency) first goes, right to left, through 4 wet/dry medium boxes (main overflow pipe is slotted above the 4 boxes) that sit neatly on a strong PVC 'gutter". That gutter with 4 medium boxes sits above the rest of the sump. That gutter empties into the 1st chamber of the sump at very high flow and is 12 by 12 inches by over a foot high. I have Chaeto tumbling in it with a strong LED grow lamp above. The next chamber (chamber 2) is separated from the 1st chamber by glass that only allows water to go under its 2 inch gap, separated by 1.5 inches to the "over" glass panel (basic bubble trap). This chamber is also 12 by 12 inches and the water is a consistent 10 inches deep (regulated by the 10 inch high fixed glass weir height of chamber number 3). My Bubble Magus curve 9 plus DC is sitting neatly in chamber number 2 because it has that consistent 10 inch deep water. It runs perfectly. This skimmed water exits through another bubble trap into chamber 3. This chamber is currently EMPTY - it is 12 by 12 inches by 10 inches deep - this is where I want to place a refugium. The water from it exits through another bubble trap, then over an 18 by 18 inch, 6 times 4 filter sock (yes six filter socks) platform - chamber number 4. Then it exits under another bubble trap into chamber 5 which houses the return pump - variable speed DC Red Devil that I have finally managed to be able to set to 100% by adding 2 extra DIY extra overflows (one is higher and only will run as clog protection). Before the addition of my DIY overflow(s), I, prior to the added overflows, couldn't run the return pump at more than 50% of max flow without the sump going dry, thus shutting off the return pump (thankfully has dry protection). The last return pump chamber (#5) is 18 by 18 inches and also houses digital heater number 2 (1000 watt titanium) and my UV steriliser (used as needed for polishing). Now I have amazing flow.
Because chamber 3 is 12 by 12 inches square and currently empty, it would be ideal for a refugium. However, because it has an under/over bubble trap exit, how do I keep substrate from being pulled under the bubble trap and into my sock chamber? I went to the hardware store yesterday and bought a 10 by 10 inch by 8 inch tall plastic box (advertised as a hardware storage container with lid and pull out partitioned tray). It only cost me $5.99 and fits into my desired refugium chamber quite well. I won't need its lid or its tray. All I intend to do is fill it with DT crushed coral and some miracle mud then plant it with macroalgae and simply place it in the chamber. No snails allowed, but you never know, so I bought plastic mesh (same stuff DIY folks build algae scrubbers with) that will cover its bottom exit (remember it's a bubble trap exit) just in case an errant snail, crab etc., did manage to get there. I don't want critters getting into my return pump - pods excepted if course - I do have millions in the DT that are gobbled up at dusk.
My question is this - plastic box planted out (maybe a mangrove later) OR install a 8 inch tall wall like we see on commercially available sumps (I see that they now have wavy tops for their fuge partition).?? My concern by adding an 8 inch wall of glass will require a system shut down and reef safe silicone or use of an underwater curing, fish safe adhesive. Either way, it's going to take too long to fully cure. I'd rather not shut down the system and empty the sump at all. A box seems to be a logical solution. Comments or suggestions welcome.
Bill
