Sump / refugium

USMC4Life · Jan 22, 2017

Hi all,

I need some ideas and advice on how to set this one up. It's an odd duck because this is a small / odd size. I got it from someone that was no longer using it. So I am cleaning it out right now.

lion king · Jan 22, 2017

What size tank are you using it on? You can install a filter sock holder and a bulkhead into the hole on the top in the 1st chamber. Or take off the top and have 2 filter socks if you are running dual overflows. The 2nd chamber you will have to decide between a protein skimmer or a refugium, I don't think you'll have room for both. The 3rd section is plumbed for an external return pump, you can run an external or seal up and drop in a submersible. That 3rd section could be used for any other reactor, uv, etc pumps you would want to run if you choose to keep the external.

USMC4Life · Jan 22, 2017

The tank is a 65 tall. Right now the sump / refugium has the external plumbing caped. I was thinking putting the skimmer in that section with the return as no other section will fit anything other than the middle. But I would love to run it as a refugium. I need to find a skimmer that would fit.

USMC4Life · Jan 22, 2017

I was thinking of using this pump and this overflow. Let me know what you think.
Flexzion Pond Pump Submersible (1200GPH) Adjustable Frequency Inline Aquarium https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ELBKYS6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_suqHybNYRJFT9

KollerCraft TOM RP3 Overflow Box https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002LYTE4Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_twqHybMDJA9DP

Be102 · Jan 22, 2017

USMC4Life said:
I was thinking of using this pump and this overflow. Let me know what you think.
Flexzion Pond Pump Submersible (1200GPH) Adjustable Frequency Inline Aquarium https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ELBKYS6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_suqHybNYRJFT9

KollerCraft TOM RP3 Overflow Box https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002LYTE4Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_twqHybMDJA9DP

I'd check out lifereef overflows.. never heard of that one before.

lion king · Jan 22, 2017

I'm not familiar with either, as far as a return pump I'd go with something a little better known. It's not just gph, but also performance under head pressure; heat and noise. You'd be looking at twice the price, I prefer the eheim compact plus pumps; I have them on 3 of my tanks.

If you are going to spend that much on an overflow box, I'd check out the eshopps line; they also make good low priced skimmers. I'm not familiar with any in sump skimmers that will fit that footprint, maybe look into a hob skimmer. I've used an eshopps hob on several tanks that's worked very well.

USMC4Life · Jan 22, 2017

I've had a different variants of that overflow before works really well. And self priming.

USMC4Life · Jan 22, 2017

I'll take a look. Can you give me a link or a model number to the pump. The other thing is I have a budget. Just had another kid so $$ is tight lol.

lion king · Jan 22, 2017

I'm running this one on my 90, it might be just a tad underpowered for my 90 but you really lose zero on the head pressure.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0018CJO9...vtargid=kwd-15034660964&ref=pd_sl_jr5qpsmyj_b

USMC4Life · Jan 22, 2017

lion king said:
I'm running this one on my 90, it might be just a tad underpowered for my 90 but you really lose zero on the head pressure.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0018CJO9...vtargid=kwd-15034660964&ref=pd_sl_jr5qpsmyj_b

What overflow are you using ? Got any pictures of your setup?

lion king · Jan 22, 2017

All of my tanks are drilled except for my 40 breeder, I use a hob filter and hob skimmer. A neat setup now for a tank that not drilled in to have it drilled and install one of the ghost overflows, like this one: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produ...d=PLA_G_6194&gclid=CP6X7ayX19ECFUWVfgodzMsIZw

But if that overflow has worked for you in the past, there's nothing wrong with that.

USMC4Life · Jan 23, 2017

I need something that self primes and is modular.

Be102 · Jan 23, 2017

USMC4Life said:
I need something that self primes and is modular.

Once again, I'd sugguest checking out lifereef. They haven't changed designs in over 20 years because it works.

USMC4Life · Jan 23, 2017

The other problem is that I have a tight budget.

Be102 · Jan 23, 2017

USMC4Life said:
The other problem is that I have a tight budget.

The overflow you posted above is $95.50 with few reviews it seems on amazon.. not really the most reputable place to by an overflow imo, too much potential to go wrong. I love amazon and they are the best for support, just wouldn't buy something that has no reviews, nor have I heard of.

The life reef overflow is $129.00 . For an extra $33.50, you can assure yourself that it wont cause any problems with losing the siphon and whatnot. Imo that $40 would be a better investment longterm, in relation to any sort of cleanup costs you could potentially face down the road. Lifereef works and I can only attest to that based on the reviews it seems to get. I scoured the internet for hours trying to find the best external overflow on the market. Always ended up back on lifereef due to the 18 years they haven't changed a design. If it works, why change it?

USMC4Life · Jan 23, 2017

Be102 said:
The overflow you posted above is $95.50 with few reviews it seems on amazon.. not really the most reputable place to by an overflow imo, too much potential to go wrong. I love amazon and they are the best for support, just wouldn't buy something that has no reviews, nor have I heard of.

The life reef overflow is $129.00 . For an extra $33.50, you can assure yourself that it wont cause any problems with losing the siphon and whatnot. Imo that $40 would be a better investment longterm, in relation to any sort of cleanup costs you could potentially face down the road. Lifereef works and I can only attest to that based on the reviews it seems to get. I scoured the internet for hours trying to find the best external overflow on the market. Always ended up back on lifereef due to the 18 years they haven't changed a design. If it works, why change it?

I had that overflow before on another tank and unfortunately it got broken in the move. That aside the overflow is reliable from my experience.

Be102 · Jan 23, 2017

USMC4Life said:
I had that overflow before on another tank and unfortunately it got broken in the move. That aside the overflow is reliable from my experience.

USMC4Life said:
I need something that self primes and is modular.

So why are you looking for something else that self primes and is modular? if you are satisfied with that overflow box, why don't you purchase another one?

USMC4Life · Jan 23, 2017

I'm looking for something similar that is rated for more. But I was also hoping for ideas about plumbing and skimmers because I have never had a sump/ refugium like this before.