Let's see I think I had my first animals in it late June. About 3 months
later I started reading about sumps. I got to be honest though. I did have
a 20 gallong tank as a sump but I didn't have any glass/acrylic dividers in
it to keep the bubbles from going back into the main tank. I had to slow
down financially on my tank (baby on the way) so I never did get those
dividers in there. My main tank was just too cloudy with microscopic
bubbles all over the place. I didn't have the time or disposable money to
put dividers in so just a few weeks ago I killed the sump idea. Only
temporarily as I did like adding the new water and chemicals at the bottom
level. I loved that the main tank was a perfect level all the time.

Another problem with no glass dividers is that the equipment (filter,heater,
thermometer, skimmer) in the sump weren't always in enough water to function
correctly. They weren't always submerged enough. If I had dividers, I
could have made a middle area, a refugium like I believe you want to make,
that always had an exact level in it for my equipment and the animals I'd
one day put in.

My 90g is 48" long so could fit the tank in the double doors just fine. The
equipment hanging on it (I put one Emporer 400 filter down to the sump and
my hang on skimmer) took up enough space that I couldn't use the cabinet for
anything else. You'll just have to do your measurements and figure out
where you'll put your electrial wiring as well. It was a fun project and my
tank was healthy either way.

To get yourself a cheap 20g or whatever tank, try craigslist.com or talk to
friends. It's amazing how many friends have an old aquarium sitting in
their garage from either an ex-reptile or a fish tank they didn't have time
for.

I'm not much of a do-it-yourself person either. But I gotta tell ya, the
plumbing thing was fun. I read, I made a drawing and a Home Depot isn't far
away so I did go there a few times. It was fun to make. I'll tell you
though, when I set it up next time, I'm going to buy/make some water level
cut offs. Basically I want one to tell me if my main tank is too low to
shut off the pump upwards. The other cut off will tell me when the water
level near the pump in the sump is too low so it won't keep going while
taking in dry air (for instance if I let the water level get too low).
Basically those two things and finding some pre-made dividers are my next
venture before I add on.

I have a lot of pods in my main tank. I don't do anything to grow 'em or
protect 'em. I don't, however, have a mandarin or any fish that solely eats
them either. I was planning on doing a refugium like you in the sump. With
some sand and rock in there you'll have pods growing just fine.

Well that was long winded. That happens when we like the hobby we're doing.
Take care!

B





"StringerBell" wrote in message
...
Thanks again Bryan. Its funny how my experience seems to be parralelling
yours. How long was your tank set up before you started to think "Sump"? I
filled my tank with base rock, sal****er and live sand around Sept. 1st,
so I`m about 10 weeks into it. How is your tank doing?

My Cabinet is 36" X 18", so I think I can fit a 20 down there. I also want
to grow more `pods. But I`m definitely NOT a "do-it-yourself" type guy and
am a bit paranoid about the flooding possibilities.



"Bryan" wrote in message
...
Stringer you were right where I was several months ago. I did a lot of
reading.
Check out what I did. http://www.geocities.com/bryg30/AquarDiary7.html I
bought a squid though to send water two different directions. That isn't
necessary.

Yes you'll need a hang on overflow box to send the water down. Make sure
it will fit in the back of your aquarium near the wall and between other
equipment. A 1" tube down to a sump will flow about 600gph so make sure
your pump going upwards will (at least) do that with the length of hose
going up to the main tank. Charts are often online or in the box with
the pump.

The valves I built are so I can perfectly match the water going up with
the water going down without restricting the pump from being able to flow
the amount it's made to do.

But ya know, to be honest, a low-tech aquarium is fun and less hassle. I
like the building part so I did it but my tank was in great shape without
it as well. A hang on skimmer doesn't grab right from the surface of the
water so it will help but won't be perfect as you can tell. IMO, before
buying anything, try turning one of your current power heads a little
upward to break up the water surface. Your skimmer will be able to get
more of the tanks water from there. If you like the outcome but need
your powerhead where it was originally for good tank flow then yes, buy a
3rd powerhead.

B

"StringerBell" wrote in message
...

"Pszemol" wrote in message
...

Do you have the sump/overflow ?
This kind of setup is great for skimming the water surface.

No---I have a basic system: Just a Skimmer and a bunch O`rock. Should
I get a 3rd powerhead to aim up at the surface to break it up?
I was actually pondering adding a 20 gallon refugium for under the
cabinet. I have a basic tank, I would need an overflow box for that,
right? How do you prevent floods, by not filling the refugium to
capacity?