Sump / Fuge question

[Doc]

OK you smart people, help a newbie out. OK, well I am not a super newbie, but as far as refugiums go, I am. I have been toying with the idea of putting in a chamber in my sump for a fuge. I imagine it will help with the nitrates created by big fish, but here is a question, does it do anything for phosphates?

More importantly, baffles. I have seen plans for baffles that are flush against the bottom of the sump and I have seen them with slits in the baffles and some with spaces at the bottom of the sump between the floor and baffles. which is the most effective set up? I am thinking four chambers for my 125: 1st chamber) intake from tank, media bags and two protein skimmers (the one I have is rated for 200 gallons and I will get an octopus skimmer rated for 300 gallons). 2nd chamber) the largest chamber, with a DSB and about 250 lbs of live rock for bio filtration (I am planning on keeping about 200 lbs in the DT, stacked in the corner, filled with soft corals and places for the angelfish to hide). 3rd chamber) fuge - is 8 inches wide big enough for a decent fuge - 18 inches deep? 4th chamber) carbon, phosguard, heaters and return pump back to tank. what do you think?

I was planning on just a desk lamp style light for the fuge, connected to the timers of the other lights for the tank. Will that be enough light to grow the cheato?

Again...Baffles? Best way to plan it? Thanks in advance.

-Doc

[kimoy]

Originally Posted by Dr Marco

OK you smart people, help a newbie out. OK, well I am not a super newbie, but as far as refugiums go, I am. I have been toying with the idea of putting in a chamber in my sump for a fuge. I imagine it will help with the nitrates created by big fish, but here is a question, does it do anything for phosphates? no it won't help control PO4

More importantly, baffles. I have seen plans for baffles that are flush against the bottom of the sump and I have seen them with slits in the baffles and some with spaces at the bottom of the sump between the floor and baffles. which is the most effective set up? I am thinking four chambers for my 125: 1st chamber) intake from tank, media bags and two protein skimmers (the one I have is rated for 200 gallons and I will get an octopus skimmer rated for 300 gallons). 2nd chamber) the largest chamber, with a DSB and about 250 lbs of live rock for bio filtration (I am planning on keeping about 200 lbs in the DT, stacked in the corner, filled with soft corals and places for the angelfish to hide). 3rd chamber) fuge - is 8 inches wide big enough for a decent fuge - 18 inches deep? 4th chamber) carbon, phosguard, heaters and return pump back to tank. what do you think?that sounds a good plan to me. the over/under bafles are used to eliminate microbubbles from going into your dispaly tank. I would go for 3 baffles on the last set before your return chamber and the first is on the bottom of the tank and the next is half inch to one inch elevated and another one on the bottom of the tank

I was planning on just a desk lamp style light for the fuge, connected to the timers of the other lights for the tank. Will that be enough light to grow the cheato?

Again...Baffles? Best way to plan it? Thanks in advance.

-Doc

HTH. Good Luck!

[Piggy]

That's going to be one big sump. Just make sure you measure before placing any baffles in place. I can't wait to see it and go, AWE!

[Doc]

Originally Posted by Piggy

That's going to be one big sump. Just make sure you measure before placing any baffles in place. I can't wait to see it and go, AWE!

Piggy,

I am SO excited about the prospect of my new tank that I lie awake at night just smiling! I am thinking my sump will look pretty darn cool.

-Doc

[RyanG]

Doc can I ask why you are going to separate the sections for the live rock and he DSB? More for my own knowledge and to see what the thought process is.

[Doc]

I must have mis-typed that section. I meant to say the DBS and LR would be in the same section, separated from the skimmer, heaters, etc. I will do a 4 inch bed and stuff the rock on top of it

-Doc

[RyanG]

Ok now I understand better you gonna keep any little nastys in it or just mostly macro?

[Doc]

Originally Posted by RyanG

Ok now I understand better you gonna keep any little nastys in it or just mostly macro?

little nastys meaning what?

-Doc

[RyanG]

Non reef stuff mantis or any other things that will be eaten by your shark, any animals or just macro.

[Doc]

No mantis shrimp. I was thinking of putting in a chocolate chip starfish and a red general starfish in the sump with the LR so the kids can have something to play with that is not the shark

-Doc