Fuge/Sump setup help (2 Viewers)

[Guest]

I am interested in setting up a fuge/sump for my 40g tank. I am planning on getting a 20g glass refugium and setting it under the tank and moving my skimmer to the fuge from the main tank. My question is what is the best way to setup my water cycle and lighting?

1. gravity flow to sump, with a pump to return to main tank. Or
2. have two pumps, one to pump water from the main tank, and one to pump back to main tank.

Also what can i do to find out how much pressure i need for such a small tank (i.e. pump size/rate of flow) to keep it balanced? And also what kind of lighting should I use if i plan on growing caulerpa or other macro algae? Thanks for any tips and help.

 

[monica]

On mine I have an overflow box and then a pump in the fug to return water. I think my pump is a maxijet 900. and the lighting is just a PC

 

[ShaneV]

2. have two pumps, one to pump water from the main tank, and one to pump back to main tank

While this sounds logical, in practice it will never work long term. The difference in the pumps, how clean they are, the height the sump pump needs to pump, etc. Youll never get the 2 dialed in to be an even rate.(Also what happens when 1 pump goes out?)

You want to do it gravity fed, using either a drilled tank or an overflow box.


I have a Mag 7 on my 29, it would probally work well for you in this situation.

 

[Guest]

Yes I did think about that one but, i was also considering what would happen if somehow to much air got into the overflow box and the water siphon would shut off, then i would just be pumping my sump dry... but just a thought... i do know what you are thinking and that it can be dangerous either way but just trying to figure out the best way to do this with the least maintaince and worry possible. O yes what is a good reliable hang-on overflow box that I could purchase? Thanks for the reply guys.

 

[Rick]

I discovered a nice way around that one is to put a plastice milk container into the sump with the top cut off. Place your return pump in the plastic milk container waited down with rocks. The water level in your sump will only drop as low as the top of the milk carton. Cheap trick that works great.

 

[ChrisB]

I decided to run my Mag pumps external of my fuge to keep the heat out of the tank. Just my .02 worth. I have a 55g tank, 20g fuge. Single overflow with 1 drain in it. I have a Mag 7 returning the water to the tank. There are Pumping Flow Versus Pumping Height charts out there that will tell you how many GPH you can expect to have.

 

[DonnieKim]

leaffish has an overflow forsale I believe