50 gal breeder sump

[downset21]

I would like to make this a refugium. I have never taken on a project like this so I'm a little apprehensive.

1. I notice that many of the designs I've seen on here are divided into three chambers. Is this absolutely necessary and if it is, where is the skimmer in relation to the refugium and the pump going back to the tank?

2. Will a small flourescent light suffice or do I need T5s or something that strong?

3. Will home depot have the acryllic pieces I need to divide this tank up?

4. Can people post pictures of their active sumps? I looked but I only found a few. If this is too much trouble, no big deal. Thanks again.

 

[downset21]

This will be a reef for a 220 gal tank by the way

 

[downset21]

One more question... I would like a refugium to be a safe haven for copepods. Should I take the intake sponge off of my return pump in the future so the pods can get into the display tank?

 

[Sokretys]

Hey good stuff, refugiums can do some pretty incredible things.

A few questions though,

What are the demensions to your 50 breeder?

What skimmer will you be running?

What return pump will you be going with?
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As far as the baffles...

-you will get some sketchy flex even with 1/4" acrylic which always makes me feel uneasy even if its worked for others. If it should fail for some reason...talk about a pain of a repair job.

-So, you can get 1/4" glass panes cut custom for you at any glass window shop etc. They are usually pretty precise with their cuts too. no flex at all...not to mention the bond between glass on glass is a bit better than acrylic on glass

 

[number1gsxxr]

There are many ways to do a sump. Here is a 40B sump I just made. The left section is for the skimmer. I made the baffle 9" high since most skimmers like to be in 7-10" of water. The middle section is for the return pump and the right is for a small refugium. As for the refugium light I just use one of those work lights you can find at Home Depot or Lowe's along with a fluorescent daylight bulb.

 

[downset21]

this is perfect and just what I needed. Now I just need to figure out where I'm going to put this thing.

 

[sixspeed]

This is how i set up my 20 gallon long sump. Had the return go in the chamber on the right with the skimmer, then was the fuge and the final area is for the return pump. I wanted my return pump to be on the left closer to its entrance into the tank.