Glb's 40g upgrade!

[TaylorPilot]

LOL, beat me to it while I was typing!

 

[NanaReefer]

 

[glb]

It isn't a silly question. The point of it is to keep all the things in your fuge in the fuge, and not getting all twisted around the skimmer. The point of having it completely under water is that there is only a small 1/2" thick layer of water traveling over the top, creating a flow over the top of the water and spinning the cheato. See my crude drawing. The water in the second chamber creates a rotating effect and keeps the ball spinning slowly. Although depending on your flow rates, you may still need a little power head in the bottom left corner of that chamber facing up to keep it spinning. The whole point is to to keep the cheato centered in the chamber and not hitting the sides.

I see what you're saying. Why do so many of the pics have it reversed? I know there's more than one way/rationale to do things, but I want to understand the differences in design?

 

[glb]

My first & second baffles are the exact same at 8" my third is 10" raised by 1" and the 4th is 7"
Left to right, return, bubble trap, fuge, overflow/skimmer.
My chaeto never spins, tumbles or what not. It isn't necessary at all. Gets great flow, which is all that's truly needed.

So you have the height dropping one inch, like some of the designs I've seen.

 

[TaylorPilot]

They don't usually, look at this one from PM. Instead of having the water come over top, this one has holes in the baffle, so water flows through it instead of over it. They water level is still set by the final baffle before the bubble trap.

http://www.precisionmarine.com/refugiums/about-precision-marine-pro-series-refugiums

 

[glb]

I would probably put the bubble trap after the fuge. I would make it the last thing before going into the return section. Do you know if you will be using an ATO? If so, I would make the return section smaller and the fuge section larger.

So the divider that sits an inch from the bottom always goes first in a bubble trap?

 

[TaylorPilot]

The only reason I would think you would want to do it the other way is if you put the fuge BEFORE the skimmer. That way you could run the fuge with more water volume, then lower it so you can put your skimmer directly on the floor. Look at this one from Synergy. They skimmer section is after the fuge, so you can adjust the level of water to the desired level for your skimmer.

http://synergyreef.com/product/synergy-reef-ss-44-sumps/

That design is allot more complicated and requires a larger sump. For your setup, in that configuration, I don't see a reason to run the skimmer section higher. The water level is already higher than it needs to be for the skimmer.

 

[NanaReefer]

So you have the height dropping one inch, like some of the designs I've seen.

Yes. With my ATO float switch I then can set the water hight in the return chamber up to 7". I keep it at about 5" to allow for surface agitation.
All dosing happens before bubble trap to allow mixing before being returned to the DT.

 

[TaylorPilot]

So the divider that sits an inch from the bottom always goes first in a bubble trap?

Typically it is the baffle that touches the floor and sets the water height for the previous chamber. Then the bubble trap that sits and inch or so off the bottom that the water has to go under. Then in some instances, they put a 3rd smaller baffle that sits under the water level to help push any bubbles that may have gone under the baffle up towards the surface. I doubt you will have much of a problem with micro bubbles unless you are running allot of water flow, considering it has to flow across the fuge first.

 

[glb]

Yes. With my ATO float switch I then can set the water hight in the return chamber up to 7". I keep it at about 5" to allow for surface agitation.
All dosing happens before bubble trap to allow mixing before being returned to the DT.

What kind of return pump do you have?

 

[NanaReefer]

Sicce Syncra 2.0 Absolutely quiet!
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/sicce-syncra-silent-2-0-pump-568-gph.html

 

[glb]

I have a Jebao dct 6000. It can be dialed up and down so I can use it in a bigger tank later if I want. I tested the skimmer and the return pump in the kitchen sink and they're both good.

 

[NanaReefer]

What overflow are you using?

 

[glb]

What overflow are you using?

I'm going to buy the glass holes 700 in and out.

 

[TaylorPilot]

How is the build going?

 

[glb]

How is the build going?

Stand frame is done. I'm planning the sump now so I'll know where to drill holes in the back of the stand. I'm going to do the top/bottom/back/sides this weekend then paint the inside with mariner's paint.

 

[TaylorPilot]

Check out the newest BRS video, it is all about fuges!

 

[glb]

Check out the newest BRS video, it is all about fuges!

Excellent. I love this guy!

 

[nervousmonkey]

Awesome to see you here GLB! Following along man, looking forward to seeing the progress you make. This is going to be an awesome build!!!

 

[glb]

Awesome to see you here GLB! Following along man, looking forward to seeing the progress you make. This is going to be an awesome build!!!

Thanks!!!!! I'm excited too. And also I'm a chick.