[Guest]

Okay no need to go into a lot of detail. Here is what I have (maybe if I can post the pic right.) I want to convert this to a sump/ fuge. can this be easily done or should I start from scratch?

 

[hjmtv]

Do you want a sump or a refugium or both? If its a sump only, you're already there (minus the bio balls) Either other option is a longer description which I will type in once you reply back. Can you show where your outlet is your picture. That will help.

 

[Guest]

I want to do a sump/ fuge combo. the aprox dimensions of the box are 4x12x14 (the bio area/drip trays raise up about 18". There is no outlet. Right now I have submersible pumps (mag 18 and 2 rio 2500)and a skimmer sitting in the larger compartment to the left. I may have to drill an outlet if I cannot use the configuration I have.

 

[hjmtv]

Doesn't seem like anyone else is in to this topic.[-ashamed] After re-reading the post, I think the box will be too small to make into a combo unit. If this is for your 240g, I think for fuge should be 25g at least. The sump should be roughly the same size as well. Maybe it would be easier to use this as your sump and plumb in a new 25g as a fuge. You should have enough room under that monster you have.[D]

 

[Will C]

i would use a 125 gal if you can fit it. you could cut off the end 2' and use it for a sump while the first 4' could be your fuge. and i agree the current tank is way too small.

 

[Guest]

well I am kind of in a bad position now. I either have to use what is in under there now, or use nothing. The sump won't come out. The way my stand is built. I could have pulled it out the back but the tank is too close to the wall. unless I drained the tank and got 4 men together at the house to move it again.

 

[Hellspawn2]

Picasso im going to do the same thing with my wet/dry. I think i will add 2 dividers in the sump and use the middle as a fuge area. One side with teh w/d and the other will be my rtn pump. Now are u using a Sand or mud for the fuge? Im kinda stuck there as to what to use?

Hellspawn2

 

[Will C]

i would not use the mud junk. i tried this product when it first came out and lost about $400 in fish when it crashed. so i really dont like it and i would never reccomend it to anyone. the sand is safer cheaper and it dosent get used up and have to be replaced evey year. as for you picasso it seem like your stuck. cant you get it out from the front? if your going to repace it you can allways cut it to get it out. also couldent you fit mabe two smaller tans under there throught the front? you should be able to do that. if you can im sure we could configure something to work for you. if not get me some exact dimentions and a better diagram and how the towers are held in there and i think i could dream something up for you.

 

[Hellspawn2]

How about this its kinda of generic but i think it may work? Also when i add the dividers i assume i should caulk them or should i do something else?

Download Attachment fuge.gif
6.07 KB

 

[Will C]

thats a good basic set up. i would eliminate the baffel on the left and replace it with one just high enough for the sand so you get better flow. also make sure the height on the right is enough to let the algeas grow to a decent height. use the caulk you get at the pet store for the baffeles. i know people say you can use the ge type II but for only 3 dollars more why risk it. also is this going to be a fish only tank or a reef. if its a reef you dont need the wet dry, in fact it will only harm the reef so you need to decide that now. you can make it out of plexi also so you dont hae to spend $100 on the premade junk.

 

[Hellspawn2]

Ok this will be a reef tank so i should build a new sump/fuge? Or u think its easier to convert what i have? Shoot me some ideas please.
Thanks in advance.

Hellspawn2

 

[Will C]

so it is allready completed? if so try to remove the wet dry and replace it more sand area. you wont need the wet dry unless your going to load the fish. i have a 90 gal reef with about 6 fish in there and no wet dry. i had one in there at first but i have since removed it.

 

[hjmtv]

I agree with Will C that your plan is a good one but remember the fuge should be based on show tank size. If you have a 240g show tank, a 20 gallon fuge isn't gonna cut it. Bigger is almost always better.

 

[Hellspawn2]

Sorry i probably should have said this before i have a 55g tank right now and its been up for about a year. It was orginally a 90g tank but had a little pump problem and wife made me move it to the basement ( so i through all my stuff in a 55g until i decide where to place my 90. I have a wet/dry sump and was thinking that its time to switch it to a sump/fuge. So my plan was to just get rid of all the bioballs and put the 2 baffles in the sump and make a sump/fuge. Its a 30g sump and i plan to leave it on my 55g right now. Should i use plexyglass for the baffles?

 

[Will C]

so then its not built?? im a bit confused mabe i missed something. you have a 30 gal tank under your 55gal reef right? in this tank sits an ammonia tower?? is it the kind you can just pick up and take out?? if so are you then left with an empty 30 gal tank?? let me know this and i can answer you better.

 

[Hellspawn2]

Sorry for the confusion after pouring through countless of threads on here and RC and SWF i decided to use a rubbermaid container as my fuge area. Its a 18g tub that i put 2 drain bulkhead in and im going to build a small stand to elevate higher then my sump and plumb som pvc to drain to it. Now that im thinking about it what is the best way to move water to the fuge? I was thinking about putting a old PH in head and install a ball valve in to cut down on the flow and add another bulk head in. I will show you a pic tonight of what im working with. Yes Will its a plain 30g tank that i can lift the wet/dry out and it would just be a plain old tank after that. ) Ill try to get the pic up tonight.

 

[hjmtv]

If you put the powerhead in the sump and then move the water up th the fuge , let gravity do it's job with a simple drain tube back to the sump. Once you get this flow going, it should not stop. Post a pic when you get it done to show us how you did it.

 

[Will C]

have yor tank dump directly into the fuge then gravity feed into the sump. then pump it back into the tank. but the 30 is then wasted space as it will only hold your skimmer,but i guess you have room to add things later so i guess its ok.

 

[Hellspawn2]

Here is my fuge that im working on its just a basic 18g rubbermaid container that i put 2 output holes in and im going to add a input bulkhead today. This will sit next to my sump elevated high enough to have it overflow back to the sump. I dont know if my pic came through if not let me know and i will email them.
Thanks,
Hellspawn2
Download Attachment fuge.gif
77.35 KB

 

[hjmtv]

I will assume that the lid will not be on once you install this??? Being a refugium and being lighted, the lid might cut down on light transmission.[]