Custom build - Sump w/ fuge for 60 gallon cube

[CanhMan]

Hi SDReefers,
I'm planning on building my own sump with fuge out of acrylic for a 60 gallon cube.
The stand is a Solana stand so plenty of room. I'm thinking 24"x24"x??" footprint to fill up the entire interior.
If anyone has done something similar, please shoot some advice / lessons learned.

Thanks,
Canh

[sneeze]

I did a 60 cube once upon a time. I ended up using a 20 long that stuck out the back of the stand on that one. Biggest lesson I learned was that I like large stands that give at least a 6" shelf around the tank. Not what you're asking about, I know. Best advice I have, is to make it perfect and don't cut corners for cost. Otherwise you'll end up re-doing it later. Also, plan for upgrades, even if you don't think you'll need them for quite some time. I.e fuge/frag chamber, space to stack top off water, space for a larger skimmer, etc.

[CanhMan]

So I felt like doing a DIY project and got around to building the sump & fuge. Found some old (not clear) acrylic lying around and started the project instead of going to MAX (and spending $$) this weekend.
Cut the acrylic with my circular saw so not perfectly straight but did the job.

Weldon 3 and 16 to fill up the minor gaps.

Nothing pretty but does the job and doesn't leak!


I wanted a bigger fuge to replace this current setup up and the new sump is 24" square by 16" high to fill up the stand.


I'll let it sit for a day or so to make sure there aren't any leaks.

I plan to split the drain to feed the skimmer in the middle and the fuge in front. The return chamber is the L shape but not sure if I need baffles yet.

I'll update once I hook up the plumbing.



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[OhioStreetz]

I like it... It's cool how the side are all different heights

[CanhMan]

Thanks Bud. That was kind of accidental. Originally it was supposed to be 18" all around but I decide for access reasons I wanted the front to be 16" so I gave the 2" to the back to help with salt creep too.


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[etran1970]

Did you just updated a big tank

[CanhMan]

Kind of...I've had a 28, 40 and 60 over the last couple of years.
This is for my current tank which is a 60 cube.

[CanhMan]

Fits perfectly...



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[CanhMan]

Plumbing almost done. Need one more fitting...always the case ain't it?



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[CanhMan]

Project finished. I'm sure I'll find something to mess around with next.



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[OhioStreetz]

Is it loud with the fuge falling down into that chamber on the right?

[CanhMan]

Surprising no. I was worried about that so I installed a valve to control and slow down the flow in the fuge to keep it quiet.
The flow from the skimmer chamber is faster but since the height is 9" for my skimmer, the fall isn't that great either.
The main noise is from the return pump and the vibration due to the pvc pipes. I need to play around with it to reduce the noise. Might switch to tube instead.

[CanhMan]

Been awhile since I got on SDR.
Thought I'd share an updated photo.
I added a BRS dual reactor which fits nicely.
Changed the fuge light and moved it higher to avoid moisture buildup.
Pods growing and ready for a green mandarin dragonet!


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