Sump design

[zach_discus]

Hello again,
So looking at repurposing a old acrylic tank into a sump. Tank cracked in several places around the top due to a poor design for the openings. Looking to cut the tank down to 22" and building a new top for it. My question is I am now planning to run a big external skimmer and since I will not need a skimmer chamber, I am thinking to just make the middle section a large refugium. Skimmer and reactors ( calcium and others as needed) will be feed by a external pump plumed into the filter sock compartment. Socks will be at 20" and refugium baffle will set it at 18".

Will this work or any suggestions?

 

[sbash]

Sounds like a solid plan to me! The baffles look good and a nice big fuge is the way to go

 

[zach_discus]

Thanks< I thought it should work but wanted others to look at it and poke holes in it.

This will give me a refugium 30x24x18tall (50 gallons), sump its self is 55x24x22tall (100gallons at baffle height). The tank this is going under is a 96x30x30 (360 gallons). Going to be a slow build but should be fun!!

 

[Viracon13]

I prefer to put the first baffle that's after the filter sock, touching the bottom of the tank. The second baffle lifted 1"-1.5" off the bottom. This allows water to enter the refugium at the bottom left and pushes water out at the top right. I think it helps with circulation. Your layout is very common but I believe it causes some dead spots at the bottom corners of the refugium.

I also don't think you need that many baffles before the return pump compartment if your skimmer/reactors are feeding back to the filter sock compartment.

 

[zach_discus]

You bring up several good points. The one I haven’t worked out. I want to feed the skimmer and reactors from the filter sock compartment, but should I run there respective return lines to the refugium or the return chamber?