Refugium sump question

[Franco323]

Hello everyone I’m new on the forum and new in the hobby just a few weeks ago I purchased my 1st tank I purchased a 180 eurobraced Glass tank so the sump I went with dimensions are 48x13x18 so what I wanna know would that sump be ok for my tank or should I go with a bigger sump also on the refugium what size refugium is recommended for 180 tank please give me your feedback thank you. I will upload 2 pictures one picture of my sump and the second picture of the dimensions I was sent over text message before having it built

 

[NinnJinn]

Everything should be fine. Just make sure your stand is tall enough so you can work in the sump if you need to and you can get the skimmer in and out of the sump if it needs to be worked on.

Welcome to R2R!!!

 

[Franco323]

Everything should be fine. Just make sure your stand is tall enough so you can work in the sump if you need to and you can get the skimmer in and out of the sump if it needs to be worked on.

Welcome to R2R!!!

Hello there thanks for the welcome that’s actaully another issue I’m having I wouldn’t be able to bring out the skimmer completely because of how tall the sump was made I would only be able to bring out the gathering cup from the top of the skimmer that’s about it

 

[NinnJinn]

Yikes!! If the stand is already built, I would have your sump not as tall. Because if something goes wrong with the pump on your skimmer you're going to have to drain your sump and figure out how to get the sump out of the stand

 

[Franco323]

Yikes!! If the stand is already built, I would have your sump not as tall. Because if something goes wrong with the pump on your skimmer you're going to have to drain your sump and figure out how to get the sump out of the stand

My tank is brand new water hasn’t even been ran through it yet so I still have a chance to have another sump built before I throw the water into it yeah the dimensions on the sump are weird

 

[NinnJinn]

Not trying to cheat anyone out of money but if your sump has not been built yet you may want to check out online stores because you could possibly get a sump cheaper.

Also, a lot of us build our own sumps for pennies on the dollar compared to a professional one. Mine is just a 30-gallon tank with dividers silicone into it.

 

[Franco323]

Not trying to cheat anyone out of money but if your sump has not been built yet you may want to check out online stores because you could possibly get a sump cheaper.

Also, a lot of us build our own sumps for pennies on the dollar compared to a professional one. Mine is just a 30-gallon tank with dividers silicone into it.

Yes the sump has already been made is been made about 3 weeks ago my refugium section is a lot bigger then my protein skimmer section and if I place my protein skimmer in my refugium I would be able to easily bring out my protein skimmer for maintenance if ever needed so what I’m going to do is forget about the refugium put my protein skimmer in the refugium section and just run a algea reactor that’s my only option I paid $400 for that sump I don’t wanna pay another $400 for a different dimension sump

 

[NinnJinn]

That would definitely work as well

 

[Franco323]

That would definitely work as well

What you think I would receive better results from a refugium or algea reactor ?

 

[rtparty]

First, I would build a new stand. Get rid of the center brace, make it taller and give you more room to work. With some decent wood working skills or a friend that is good, you can build one for cheaper than a new, custom sump. Look up RocketEngineer stand designs. You'll have to figure out if you need 2*6 or 2*8.

Second, that sump looks more like a freshwater sump to me. How is your tank going to be plumbed? Durso? Herbie? Bean Animal? If you don't know what those are, time to hit Google for an hour. It will open up your mind and give you great ideas to build a better stand and possibly sump to fit your needs.

Finally, and this may be the most important part, NEVER put a piece of equipment in your sump/tank that you can't remove later without tearing the tank down. That is a guaranteed way to make your life a nightmare one day.

 

[Franco323]

First, I would build a new stand. Get rid of the center brace, make it taller and give you more room to work. With some decent wood working skills or a friend that is good, you can build one for cheaper than a new, custom sump. Look up RocketEngineer stand designs. You'll have to figure out if you need 2*6 or 2*8.

Second, that sump looks more like a freshwater sump to me. How is your tank going to be plumbed? Durso? Herbie? Bean Animal? If you don't know what those are, time to hit Google for an hour. It will open up your mind and give you great ideas to build a better stand and possibly sump to fit your needs.

Finally, and this may be the most important part, NEVER put a piece of equipment in your sump/tank that you can't remove later without tearing the tank down. That is a guaranteed way to make your life a nightmare one day.

The stand was made brand new by visio I rather just pay another $400 for a custom sump not as tall I would be hard plumping my set up

 

[Franco323]

First, I would build a new stand. Get rid of the center brace, make it taller and give you more room to work. With some decent wood working skills or a friend that is good, you can build one for cheaper than a new, custom sump. Look up RocketEngineer stand designs. You'll have to figure out if you need 2*6 or 2*8.

Second, that sump looks more like a freshwater sump to me. How is your tank going to be plumbed? Durso? Herbie? Bean Animal? If you don't know what those are, time to hit Google for an hour. It will open up your mind and give you great ideas to build a better stand and possibly sump to fit your needs.

Finally, and this may be the most important part, NEVER put a piece of equipment in your sump/tank that you can't remove later without tearing the tank down. That is a guaranteed way to make your life a nightmare one day.

Would I get better results with a algea reactor or refugium?

 

[rtparty]

Would I get better results with a algea reactor or refugium?

You need to be able to get a reactor in and out which you won't be able to so you'll have to do a refugium

 

[Franco323]

You need to be able to get a reactor in and out which you won't be able to so you'll have to do a refugium

Good morning I just checked and yes I could actaully bring out my protein skimmer in and out no problem so that being said I could actaully use the sump I have and run a refugium

 

[rtparty]

Good morning I just checked and yes I could actaully bring out my protein skimmer in and out no problem so that being said I could actaully use the sump I have and run a refugium

Then you should be good to go

 

[Franco323]

Then you should be good to go

Yes I’m actaully happy that I could bring out that protein skimmer what light should I use for my refugium? I was thinking kessil h380 and just throwing in some chateo I’m still debating if I should throw in miracle mud