20L Triton Sump More fuge or more equipment

[txtrapline]

Setting up a new 40B mixed reef and am doing a DIY 20L sump.

The TLDR is if I go with a 15.75 wide fuge I can have a 20% DT volume in my fuge and still have an extra inch in my skimmer and return pump compartments without the equipment touching the glass.

The question is "Is this a good plan or should I cut back on the fuge to allow more room for equipment and if so how much?"

Having run ponds with bog filter in the past I love the idea of bio filtration and a skimmer and would rather lean towards as much space for the fuge as I can have. however, I don't know if .5" on each side of the return pump, for example, is enough or is it going to vibrate its way to the wall and be annoying.

Since it is a 40gallon breeder the water volume is probably going to be less than 40 gallons especially with rock sand etc. Even if I shorten my fuge by half to 8 inches I will have 4.1 gallons which is over 10% over 40 and I could add 4 inches to my return pump and 4 inches to my skimmer. but fuges are so much cooler. I don't see myself upgrading skimmers and return pumps and will probably replace with the same and get a bigger tank when I can. (I have a CHJ-4500 and an SCA-301)

Ignore the numbers if you like but for those interested:

I have 4 pieces of 10 inch tall glass cut I am going to do fuge first then a 10" over baffle then a skimmer section then an under over under then a return pump.

Aquarium inside diameter is 11.75 tall 29.5 wide and 11.88 deep

Minimum return pump width is 3.5" minimum skimmer width is 4.5"

Width
Refugium 15.75
Baffle 0.25
Skimmer 5.25
Baffle 0.25
Bafles Space 1.50
Baffle 0.25
Baffle Space 1.50
Baffle 0.25
Return 4.50
Total 29.50

Tank mockup with 15.75" fuge

 

[glb]

Setting up a new 40B mixed reef and am doing a DIY 20L sump.

The TLDR is if I go with a 15.75 wide fuge I can have a 20% DT volume in my fuge and still have an extra inch in my skimmer and return pump compartments without the equipment touching the glass.

The question is "Is this a good plan or should I cut back on the fuge to allow more room for equipment and if so how much?"

Having run ponds with bog filter in the past I love the idea of bio filtration and a skimmer and would rather lean towards as much space for the fuge as I can have. however, I don't know if .5" on each side of the return pump, for example, is enough or is it going to vibrate its way to the wall and be annoying.

Since it is a 40gallon breeder the water volume is probably going to be less than 40 gallons especially with rock sand etc. Even if I shorten my fuge by half to 8 inches I will have 4.1 gallons which is over 10% over 40 and I could add 4 inches to my return pump and 4 inches to my skimmer. but fuges are so much cooler. I don't see myself upgrading skimmers and return pumps and will probably replace with the same and get a bigger tank when I can. (I have a CHJ-4500 and an SCA-301)

Ignore the numbers if you like but for those interested:

I have 4 pieces of 10 inch tall glass cut I am going to do fuge first then a 10" over baffle then a skimmer section then an under over under then a return pump.

Aquarium inside diameter is 11.75 tall 29.5 wide and 11.88 deep

Minimum return pump width is 3.5" minimum skimmer width is 4.5"

Width
Refugium 15.75
Baffle 0.25
Skimmer 5.25
Baffle 0.25
Bafles Space 1.50
Baffle 0.25
Baffle Space 1.50
Baffle 0.25
Return 4.50
Total 29.50

Tank mockup with 15.75" fuge

Sounds like you’re a planner like me! I have a 40g b and a 20g tall diy sump. Also have an SCA-301 skimmer. You have a 20g long so the numbers are a little different but here’s some thoughts. FWIW, my total tank volume including sump is 47g. I carefully measured the water I put in when I set it up to get this number. The middle part of my sump is 10” wide and filled with live rock. To answer your question about vibration, the skimmer does vibrate if it shifts and touches the filter sock holder. I put part of a silicone trivet underneath and that helps. As far as the return pump, the return plumbing mostly keeps it in place. There’s a section of vinyl tubing right above the pump to prevent vibration. Had you thought about a fuge reactor? I have a TLF GFO reactor I’ve thought about converting. Right now I use the live rock, Nopox, and the skimmer for nutrient export. Hope this is helpful!

 

[txtrapline]

Sounds like you’re a planner like me! I have a 40g b and a 20g tall diy sump. Also have an SCA-301 skimmer. You have a 20g long so the numbers are a little different but here’s some thoughts. FWIW, my total tank volume including sump is 47g. I carefully measured the water I put in when I set it up to get this number. The middle part of my sump is 10” wide and filled with live rock. To answer your question about vibration, the skimmer does vibrate if it shifts and touches the filter sock holder. I put part of a silicone trivet underneath and that helps. As far as the return pump, the return plumbing mostly keeps it in place. There’s a section of vinyl tubing right above the pump to prevent vibration. Had you thought about a fuge reactor? I have a TLF GFO reactor I’ve thought about converting. Right now I use the live rock, Nopox, and the skimmer for nutrient export. Hope this is helpful!

I suppose I could put down some none skid stuff. Thanks for the reply I haven't looked into fuge reactors much I will take a look.

 

[glb]

I suppose I could put down some none skid stuff. Thanks for the reply I haven't looked into fuge reactors much I will take a look.

What other filtration do you have?

 

[txtrapline]

No other filtration or filter socks just the skimmer, rock and Fuge

 

[txtrapline]

I added pictures but I guess I don’t have those rights yet.

 

[txtrapline]

So should I just build it like I have planned then?

 

[glb]

So should I just build it like I have planned then?

I’ll ask the #reefsquad to chime in. I don’t know enough about fuges to answer some of your questions.

 

[txtrapline]

I’ll ask the #reefsquad to chime in. I don’t know enough about fuges to answer some of your questions.

Thanks. I have thought about it so much I’m starting to second guess it. Wondering if it’s bad my 2 baffles that set the water height are the same height. Also wondering if I need more room for a gfo reactor or heater and dosers (might have room for it now. not sure how much room that takes up)

 

[txtrapline]

 

[Chef Tommy]

Looks like we had the same idea. I used a 20L for my 75.

 

[txtrapline]

Looks like we had the same idea. I used a 20L for my 75.

Do you feel like you have enough room for equipment, probes etc. it looks like you have yours in their pretty tight

 

[glb]

Thanks. I have thought about it so much I’m starting to second guess it. Wondering if it’s bad my 2 baffles that set the water height are the same height. Also wondering if I need more room for a gfo reactor or heater and dosers (might have room for it now. not sure how much room that takes up)

Some of the reactors can be hung on the outside of the sump (the TLF GFO reactor can). As far as the baffles, if you’re worried about the chaeto tumbling you could add a small powerhead to spin it. Dosers are above the sump so they won’t take any sump space. Where do you live? I’m in South Florida so I don’t need a heater most of the year. Would it fit in the skimmer or return chamber?

 

[glb]

You can probably take out the bubble trap. That skimmer doesn’t produce any microbubbles in my tank. That would give you another inch to work with. Also, did you consider having the skimmer in the first chamber, followed by refugium, then return pump? So small chamber, fuge chamber, then small chamber. Where is the return? The reason I ask is that a filter sock and skimmer can get rid of some of the detritus before it reaches the fuge.

 

[txtrapline]

Some of the reactors can be hung on the outside of the sump (the TLF GFO reactor can). As far as the baffles, if you’re worried about the chaeto tumbling you could add a small powerhead to spin it. Dosers are above the sump so they won’t take any sump space. Where do you live? I’m in South Florida so I don’t need a heater most of the year. Would it fit in the skimmer or return chamber?

I’m in Houston Tx so probably only need heater to keep it stable. The heater I got is like a 13 inch glass heater that MAY fit under the skimmer but will probably need to be in the fuge until I get something more compact

 

[txtrapline]

You can probably take out the bubble trap. That skimmer doesn’t produce any microbubbles in my tank. That would give you another inch to work with. Also, did you consider having the skimmer in the first chamber, followed by refugium, then return pump? So small chamber, fuge chamber, then small chamber. Where is the return? The reason I ask is that a filter sock and skimmer can get rid of some of the detritus before it reaches the fuge.

Technically Triton suggests having return straight into fuge so fuge gets first dibs on detritus etc so I’m trying to stick with that.

 

[glb]

Technically Triton suggests having return straight into fuge so fuge gets first dibs on detritus etc so I’m trying to stick with that.

Oh ok. You know more about fuges than I do.

 

[glb]

Technically Triton suggests having return straight into fuge so fuge gets first dibs on detritus etc so I’m trying to stick with that.

I still think you might be able to do without the bubble trap. It’s taking up valuable space.

 

[txtrapline]

Technically Triton suggests having return straight into fuge so fuge gets first dibs on detritus etc so I’m trying to stick with that.

I still think you might be able to do without the bubble trap. It’s taking up valuable space.

Yeah perhaps let me test fit the heater

 

[Chef Tommy]

Before I added a manifold here is the skimmer & return area, next pic is after manifold for display refugium & reactor.

I do have enough room still with the refugium taking up over half of the sump. I think I'm using one less baffle as you will be though in the return area.