External fuge

[JReefaddict]

So incase you didn't read my other post, I'm looking to add a fuge to my 57 gallon with a wet dry currently. The issue at hand is the wet/dry is sized for a 125 gallon tank from what I've been told so it won't come out from inside the stand without taking the tank off which isn't an option. This leads me to my next wonderful idea.

I thought since I can't take the current sump out, why not build an external fuge, either to fit within the space left under the stand as a hang on fuge or to sit next to it and have it as a display fuge. Getting water into the fuge is going to be easy, I figure an mj1200 with a ball valve should work fine, but the return to the sump is where I'm not sure what to do. I have looked at the CPR aqua fuge and the measurements won't work because they are too long to have both the drain and return hang on the open parts of the sump. I was thinking possibly an L shape do give it some more surface area. The only problem at hand is I haven't worked with glass or acrylic much but I'm a mechanic by trade so I am mechanically inclined. I'm mainly looking for ideas and someone to talk me out of it if it sounds like I've gone off the deep end so to speak

 

[Finnaddict]

I have built a few external fuge's. For the return I used an overflow box on the inside and drilled for a bulkhead that drains back into the main sump. Here is a few shots.

 

[JReefaddict]

That looks pretty good. I'm thinking something that will hang on the wet/dry. Someone also mentioned cutting it and turning it into a normal sump. Here's what I'm working with.

 

[Finnaddict]

IMO an external is better than in-line. You can adjust the flow with the external and have more control. Depending on the size, a refugium with sand and water can weigh a good deal. Hanging it off the sump might not be a good idea.

 

[JReefaddict]

I wouldn't be relying only on it hanging for support, I described it wrong. It would be more like sitting next to the wet/dry and be the same height, just built in an L shape so I have a good size fuge. Or build like a 15 gallon one on a half stand and use dragons breath so it looks appealing to the eye. Not sure everyone else would be too thrilled about that though