DIY sump/refugium designs & large water tanks

[Madjamey]

I am looking to make my own sump/refugium , does anyone have any pics of theirs or designs I could use ??? Or one to sell ? And where is a good place to get acrylic/glass cut or get some scraps ??? My cabinet dimensions are 14wx16hx72l. Let me know your ideas ! Also I am looking for 2 large water tanks for ro/di and mixing , anyone have a setup they are selling or know where to get these ? 50 gallon or larger. Any designs for this as well ???

[mrsmithers]

Here is a great place to look
http://www.melevsreef.com/links.html

[Magiksurfman]

taking a picture of my sump is a pain but here is something to get you going, use glass with glass and acrylic with acrylic (baffles/compartment walls)

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1686824
http://www.melevsreef.com/allmysumps.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxnugJGiT3o
http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/for/2272557301.html https://sites.google.com/site/drumsandtotes/

[Madjamey]

Very nice !!! Love the craigslist add for the h2o containers , will be getting some on monday ! Thanks for all the links , keep them coming if you got them !!!

[Madjamey]

Still lookin' ! Show me some pics of your refugiums.

[av619]

here is mine its a 10 gal sump. I spent like $5 tank, $2 each devider and they were perfect size! (8"x10"), $5 for silacone, $3 I think for schedule 40 1/2" PVC, then I got a screw on PVC piece with end cap and a elbow that was half glue on half screw in then another elbow thats all glue on that was like $2 then i got 2 ball Valves and one hose spigot type. (that kind is easier to adjust)those were like $10 then i got 6 feet of 5/8" clear flex tubing at ace hardware that was like $4. I already had a pump (maxi 900)i would go a little bigger if i was buying a new one... and i Picked up a sock filter for $9 and I cut it up and sewed it together to make 4 since it was massive! So thats $40 minus the cost of the pump a few lbs of rock and a few lbs of sand. I used petco live sand it was on sale for $6.50 for 10 lbs...

So total cost to make my sump was only like $15 then you have to plumb it and add your other stuff... so its fairly cheap considering your gonna have to plumb one that you get too....

check this link out for a few pictures and let me know while your there what you think....
http://www.sdreefs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=75741

Also feel free to PM me if you have any questions or what to know anything...

[ensiferum321]

Here's a link to my video, I made this one using a glass aquarium and acrylic baffles.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AS6X67cWVM

Just made this one a couple days ago. It's made out of a 5.5 gallon aquarium, picked up some glass and had them cut it at lowes. All together everything was about $15.


http://img808.imageshack.us/img808/4710/img20110314165501.jpg (http://img808.imageshack.us/i/img20110314165501.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

Baffles glued and drying.

http://img852.imageshack.us/img852/9332/img20110314174913.jpg (http://img852.imageshack.us/i/img20110314174913.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

Filled and running!

http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/4115/img20110314200116.jpg (http://img834.imageshack.us/i/img20110314200116.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

[av619]

That one is ok I would have added at least one more baffle for bubble control but hoer than that I'd say thats very similar to the most common one out there!

[ensiferum321]

Edit: haha I just looked at the one you made also, I hope you weren't trying to say mine was "plain" when your's is the exact same..with an extra baffle..

No reason for a bubble trap on it, the size doesn't need one. Yup, it's basic, and gets the job done well.

[Madjamey]

Thanks guys ! They all seem to be about the same setup , I am going to be making a couple of these but for my 125 and 60. I should have plenty of room for all those baffles , HA !

[av619]

Edit: haha I just looked at the one you made also, I hope you weren't trying to say mine was "plain" when your's is the exact same..with an extra baffle..

No reason for a bubble trap on it, the size doesn't need one. Yup, it's basic, and gets the job done well.

Yeah ours our plain what else do you want us to add... we dont have room!!! and you need a bubble trap dude look at your second picture there are bubbles right next to your pump... if they get into your pump 1.they are gonna make it less efficient. 2.they are gonna make smaller bubbles when it goes back into your tank and make your water look less clear and clean.


also man if you need help ill come over and help you out with building yours and setting it up. some beer or frags would be awesome but shoot ill help you out for free if you want... im gonna make a video soon showing exactly how mine works and what I used for everything...

[ensiferum321]

I really hope you are kidding...

I have no problems in my display with bubbles. Don't need a bubble trap boss, otherwise I would have added one. Those are not bubbles you see, thats debris on the outside of the tank. I know your just trying to help, but this is not the first time I've built a sump/refugium. Thanks anyways.


Yeah ours our plain what else do you want us to add... we dont have room!!! and you need a bubble trap dude look at your second picture there are bubbles right next to your pump... if they get into your pump 1.they are gonna make it less efficient. 2.they are gonna make smaller bubbles when it goes back into your tank and make your water look less clear and clean.


also man if you need help ill come over and help you out with building yours and setting it up. some beer or frags would be awesome but shoot ill help you out for free if you want... im gonna make a video soon showing exactly how mine works and what I used for everything...

[av619]

ok well i put one in ... better safe than sorry in my book.... its a $2 peice of glass...

[rodbuster229]

A filter sock gets rid of air bubbles but you have to change out Every water change

[av619]

A filter sock gets rid of air bubbles but you have to change out Every water change

The way i have it set up it runs into a filter sock... thengoes through refuge and up the pump.