So here is the sump... I tried several designs and finally decided to separate the refugium section.
First I cut the sealed top off the inlet area. It was dirty and there was no way possible to clean it. I thought I could make better use of the space. So I install 1.5" pipe with holes placed strategically on the pipe. I plan to fill this chamber with LR rubble and have my drain enter the pipe which will keep flow on the rocks. The hole in the front is where the water will enter the skimmer section. I will have a 90 pointing down to direct the water. This also should help keep bubbles reduced.
I then removed the tiny refugium section above and turned this into my internal return section. There are 2 baffles, the first keeps the skimmer section constant. The second is about 1" off the bottom to trap bubbles. As a backup I installed egg crate that allows me to place some filter material to stop bubbles and trap anything that got by the skimmer. I am not concerned about changing this because it takes about $.10 worth of filter pad I will pre-cut and have ready. When it gets dirty, out with the old in with the new.
The refugium will go in the space on the right. I am considering building my own out of acrylic. I would like to house some extra LR in it somehow... That is my next design to work out. I plan to have 2 gate vales controlling my herbie drain. One going into that pipe in the sump, the other going into the refugium. I will T the drain just before it enters the gate valve then union into the sump. The other outlet on the T will run 3/4" into my refugium with another gate vale inline. This should allow me to dial in the herbie drain, the refugiums flow, and keep good flow into my sump.
Phase 2 - finish woodwork, paint, and get refugium built or bought?
I will be finishing most of the framing and starting to plan the look of the finishing wood. I have most if not all the equipment going under the tank minus a controller. That is next on the list... I am thinking Apex Jr with some add-ons...
Phase 3 - plumbing, leak test, etc..
I ordered some gate valves. I will plumb the system and make sure I design it with enough access and unions that it can be controlled and cleaned once I box in the framework. I plan to get things exciting and start to run some wet tests on the system at that point.
Phase 4 - light design and build
By this point I should have a controller plan and be ready to build or buy a light that will complement a sunrise/ sunset, high noon, lunar function. I want to go as real as possible with my lighting effects this time around.
I hope to begin Phase 4 within 2 weeks. I have had some health issues and that is why my build has slowed down a bit. But in retrospect it allowed me to carefully consider my choices.
Any ideas on how I can house a DSB, decent amount of live rock, and chaeto in the same refugium design. I have about 14" x 10" and can go up to 20" tall, to work with...???
Any suggestions on the light? I was thinking LED with controllable drivers. But havent ruled out MH either... I already have non dimming LED that I can work with and add to it a dimmable driver or two...
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