Help with Sump Build

[Waffo]

I have a 30 gallon sump right now and I want to add a refugium.. I'm just not sure how to build an actual refugium, and have space the for the skimmer.. Does anybody have any tip or ideas on how I should build.?

This is what it looks like now..

 

[Sacohen]

I would put 2 pieces of glass (could use acrylic, but glass is better) where I have the black lines.
Height can be up to you.

Here is mine.

Inlet and Skimmer on the right Fuge in the center, then bubble trap and finally return

 

[iReef86]

Its too bad you cant use a 40br...

 

[Waffo]

What dimensions do you think I should use? My skimmer is kinda fat.. And my return pump sits behind the white frag rack that's on a angle there.. On that rack sits 3 pad filters that were used to clean the derbies from the water.. And how will I do it when ever my water drains from the sump?

 

[Waffo]

The lines on the right represent the highest my water can be and the lowest.. Is that fine? Or will it change overall?

 

[Sacohen]

They should be fine.
Is there glass behind the eggcrate on the right?
What is the eggcrate for and why is it angled?

 

[Waffo]

No no glass.. Just that.. It's angled because there is 3 filter pads that are leaned against it so they can act like a filter while the water flows threw it.. I dint make the sump I bought it like that.. But I think I can eliminate it..

 

[Sacohen]

The height of the water before (or behind) the Refugium will be whatever height you make the baffles for the Refugium.

It looks like the eggcrate on the left is for more filter pad or chemical filtration like Carbon so you don't want the water as high as I made it.

If you don't want the water in the sump higher than the top line make the baffles for the Refugium the height of the top line.

 

[Waffo]

I really want the best I can get.. I think the more water in the fuge the better right? Or am I wrong?

 

[Sacohen]

You are right.

 

[Waffo]

Yeah I'm gonna eliminate the rack on the right.. And try to make a bubble trap.. What should I put in my fuge.. I want to be able to have pods..

 

[Sacohen]

I'm new to a fuge too, so I'm still trying to figure that out.

 

[heathd.hd]

After weeks of research here's what I made. Having the pump in the middle allows you to control the amount of DT water that enters the refugium. The rest goes to skimmer. Than I added a small power head in the refugium to roll the cheato.

 

[heathd.hd]

I messed up drilling holes than changed it after these pictures.

 

[Waffo]

Wow.. That looks hard to do.. But I now if I can get a clear idea of how to do it I can.. I just don't wanna mess up..

 

[heathd.hd]

I think once you get into it things will make sense. You could have glass cut somewhere or find a acrylic place and have them cut pieces. drill a few holes and boom. Cool sump.

 

[heathd.hd]

I buy scraps from my local acrylic place cheap so if it gets messed up I'm out like 10 bucks.

 

[Waffo]

I can cut glass here at home.. But I don't know how to drill holes..

 

[heathd.hd]

Head to harbor freight. Get a glass hole saw bit for a drill. You tube has tons of videos. Super easy just take your time.

 

[Waffo]

I can only work with a lowes down here.. Maybe I can find something there.. But I just need a good idea of what exactly ima be doing.. I needs dimensions if possible.. I'm not lazy to figure it out I just work a lot and I'm afraid I won't have time to think so much of it..