DIY Sump

[ReelNorth]

Is it worth it to shell out 450.00 for an acrylic sump? or is it good to use a 55 gallon tank, drill it and put it under my 125 gallon?

If the 55 is good, how many baffles etc and how would you guys stitch it together. I am trying to save as much moiney as I can so I can get a good skimmer and lighting & RO

 

[daugherty]

you can get the same thing if not better if you use a 55 gal tank. and a lot cheaper

 

[ReelNorth]

so what is the scoop on a fuge? I have a spare 10 gallon tank, or can I put the fuge as a compartment in the 55? I am lost

 

[yote]

You can use one of the compartments in the 55 for a fuge.

 

[daugherty]

down on theis page is what my sump\fuge looks like it is a 50 gal tank

https://www.livingreefs.com/forums/tank-showcase/14455-daughertys-75-a-4.html

 

[cthegame]

you can get the same thing if not better if you use a 55 gal tank. and a lot cheaper

I agree. Just buy plexiglass from home depot and use them to divide the tank.

 

[ReelNorth]

cool. So fill the middle with live rock - sorta like the mossy stuff?

How does the auto top off work? My tank is about 30 ft from my sink and nearest waterline. I dont want to drill a hole in the wall, as my fiance will KILL ME as we are going to sell in a year or so. Is there a way to have a littler container as a top off under the tank? I dont get it. I feel slow.:helm2:

 

[daugherty]

you can make a ato with using a bucket most of the ato have two sensors that go in the sump and hook to the power of a powerhead. when the water gets low it turns on the pump and fills ti with water from your bucket of container.

 

[yote]

I've got a little rubbermaid container that sits beside my tank.The sensors in the return section of my sump.

 

[ReelNorth]

This is getting interesting

So lemme get this straight

Compartment 1 - Bioballs

Compartment 2 - live rock/algae stuff etc (refuge)

Compartment 3 - ?!

The return comes out of c3 I assume.

Assuming I have 2 overflows, both flows come into c1, then overflow into 2, then into 3? So where is the skimmer & the return pump? And do I need a little wee light on the fuge? And is it a better idea to have a small seperate tank as its own fuge or am I just sily and NOOB!!!!

:bowdown:

 

[cthegame]

Instead of bioballs in C1, i would put a skimmer

 

[ReelNorth]

ok.

C1 skimmer, mechanical filtration stuff
C2 live rock/mossy stuff
C3 is return pump?

I am useless:Cheers:

I am also looking at a 72" Nova 12x39 watts lights. Good?:question:

 

[Bifferwine]

C1 skimmer, mechanical filtration stuff
C2 live rock/mossy stuff
C3 is return pump?

I am useless:Cheers:

I am also looking at a 72" Nova 12x39 watts lights. Good?:question:

Yep. The "mossy stuff" you're talking about is probably macroalgae. The best type of macroalgae for your refugium is chaetomorpha. See if your LFS carries chaeto; if not you can get it cheap off of Ebay.