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Thinking about a small sump?
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kgwilliams View Drop Down
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Joined: November 26 2005
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    Posted: May 30 2006 at 9:14pm
I have a 30 gal hex and right now I don't have a sump or refugium.  It's my understanding that people use sumps so that they can keep their skimmers, filters, etc. in it, and off of the main display.  I am interested in getting my prism skimmer and bio-wheel filter off of my main display, because I need more room for my lighting on top.  So here's my idea, I think I should put a plastic tub underneath the tank, and hang both the skimmer and filter off the sides, then hook up a pump and some pvc to get the water back and forth.  Is this completely the wrong thing to do?  I know absolutely nothing about sumps or refugiums, all I know is I need some space on top of the tank and what ever I do will have to fit under the tank.  The cabinet door is only 6-7 inchs wide, so I figure it would have to be plastic so that I can sqeeze it inside.
75gal reef /sump/ref 150MH 2 96w CF
Perhaps I would be better at basket weaving. . . at least it would be cheaper!
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Mark Peterson View Drop Down
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Points: 21436 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mark Peterson Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 30 2006 at 11:18pm
IMO, a Refugium would be the best reason to put together a sump below the main display. That would eliminate the need for the HOB biowheel filter.
But frankly, the size of the opening to the stand is seriously prohibitive. You would have a heck of a time trying to work with the sump/Refugium.Angry
Perhaps it's time to upgrade?Wink
 
Actually, seeing as how you hadn't seen Bristleworms until recently, I wouldn't be surprised if there are some things we could suggest to make your tank a little nicer at much less hassle and cost. Feel free to call, or give me your number and I'll call you to discuss. It's really so much faster to talk on the phone where questions can be asked and answered immediately.Smile
Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks:
www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244
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kgwilliams View Drop Down
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Points: 677 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote kgwilliams Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 31 2006 at 7:14pm
Ya I've been thinking about how much of a pain it would be to have one under my tank, with the opening being so small.  I just really need room for more light.  I can't afford anything but CF, and they don't come as compact as MH can.
 
I would love to upgrade, but I don't have the money or the space, right now.  My little boy and I live in a small two bedroom apartment, and I'm in college right now. I will probably have to move in about two years, to a bigger school, and I won't have the means to move my tank.  I figure I will upgrade when I settle somewhere, and hopefully get rich! lol
 
So, why do I need the bio-wheel?  It came with the tank so I've just always used it.  I thought about getting a small hang on refugium.  Foster and Smith has one that is only 7.75 x 4 x 7.5.  I just don't understand how they work, of course.
 
 
75gal reef /sump/ref 150MH 2 96w CF
Perhaps I would be better at basket weaving. . . at least it would be cheaper!
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Suzy View Drop Down
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Points: 7377 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Suzy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 31 2006 at 7:55pm
I saw the coolest thing in Sprungs new book. There is a chapter on aquascaping and he had placed a piece of flexible colored acrylic in the back, roundiing it to the back corners and kinda hiding the equipment. It was kinda funky. I don't think I've seen it done before....

Might be a PIA to clean....

or maybe you could just pull it out to rinse it?
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kgwilliams View Drop Down
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Points: 677 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote kgwilliams Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 01 2006 at 7:09pm
I ended up blacking out the back three parts of my hex, so that I could hide all the cords and stuff.  It's just some of the background stuff that you can buy at youe LFS, I bought the plain blue, anf just used the black side.  It actually made my tank look much better!  It seems like I keep more light in there, cause it doesn't light up the wall anymore.
75gal reef /sump/ref 150MH 2 96w CF
Perhaps I would be better at basket weaving. . . at least it would be cheaper!
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