Sump help: what do I do?

[Peter Jason]

I just got my Waterbox 70 gallon reef edition (not marine). And this will be my first sump. I want a refugium and a protein skimmer.

Left side of sump- 2 filter socks. This goes to the middle chamber, here I plan on placing my refugium and heater. Is there a better spot for a heater?

Back right chamber- that will be my return.

Front right chamber- that will be my auto top off


Now, where do I put my protein skimmer?

 

[Flippers4pups]

That's a tuff one. Ideally it needs to be as close to the incoming drains as possible.

 

[Peter Jason]

That's a tuff one. Ideally it needs to be as close to the incoming drains as possible.

The filter socks are siliconed in there. Do you think I could get a narrow enough protein skimmer and put in the front or second filter sock?

 

[Peter Jason]

The filter socks are siliconed in there. Do you think I could get a narrow enough protein skimmer and put in the front or second filter sock?

Or can I make that second filter sock and turn that in a refugium?

 

[Flippers4pups]

What size tank?

 

[Dom]

I would put it in the ATO chamber and then buy something else for ATO.

 

[Peter Jason]

What size tank?

70 gallon

 

[Peter Jason]

I would put it in the ATO chamber and then buy something else for ATO.

I think the ATO would need a hole drilled into it. I don't know if I feel comfortable doing that.

 

[Dom]

I think the ATO would need a hole drilled into it. I don't know if I feel comfortable doing that.

Hmmm... good point. As an ATO reservoir, it would be isolated from the rest of the sump. Yeah... I don't like my idea anymore. LOL

 

[Flippers4pups]

Center section looks to be the best spot. 6" skimmer. Measure that area. Sock locations are too tight.

ATO float/sensor in the return section. ATO reservoir, I'd remote it outside of the stand.

 

[Peter Jason]

Center section looks to be the best spot. 6" skimmer. Measure that area. Sock locations are too tight.

ATO float/sensor in the return section. ATO reservoir, I'd remote it outside of the stand.

what about the refugium?

 

[Flippers4pups]

what about the refugium?

Aside from taking out panels, I have no idea.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I would place it using the suction cups underneath the sock housing OR right before return pump area

 

[Peter Jason]

Aside from taking out panels, I have no idea.

Could I take out the second filter sock and put a small refugium in that top left chamber?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Yes or you can place a filter sock CUP in there and mount heater in center making a hole and can add carbon or other media in a nylon bag

 

[Dom]

Could I take out the second filter sock and put a small refugium in that top left chamber?

I don't know if such a small refugium area would be beneficial.

What about something like this:

I added a refugium to an old style wet/dry sump by hanging it on the side of the sump. Perhaps you could use something like this off the back of the tank?

 

[Reef-junky]

Why not just run a second tank or tub as the fuge?

 

[Peter Jason]

I really don’t want to hang anything off the tank. I want a clean look. I doubt there will be enough room in the sump area for HOB fuge. I maybe could do a second fuge. But I feel having a small fuge is better than no fuge.

 

[Reef-junky]

Do you have room to put a small tank or tub next to the sump?

 

[Peter Jason]

Do you have room to put a small tank or tub next to the sump?

The sump takes up all the dang room unfortunately. I could probably fit a micro reactor, but that’s it