Brand New 8 gallon bio cube

[NY_Caveman]

@fabutahoun @najer @saltyfilmfolks @Fudsey @hdsoftail1065 @sfin52 @Scurvy @Brew12 @Musovski @Crabby48 @siggy @Fin

look at the sump design please. This is almost fabrication time for @Lowell Lemon.

 

[najer]

@fabutahoun @najer @saltyfilmfolks @Fudsey @hdsoftail1065 @sfin52 @Scurvy @Brew12 @Musovski @Crabby48 @siggy @Fin

So I just quickly drew a shop drawing to make sure we had enough sump capacity for drain down during power outages and to allow for pumps like the Sicce 2.0 and Eheim 1260. I am an old dog so no fancy 3D computer generated pictures from. I may need to darken up the drawing but this is a general idea based on the dimensions Katrina 71 gave me.

I am not a fan of filter socks but I would have it made to take one if required.
I don't see the point of the bulkhead so would just have the hole.
Looks fine to me.

 

[Katrina71]

Thank you @NY_Caveman

 

[Rakie]

@Rakie why do I need the Vega?

More light, good price, you have the director

 

[Fin]

@Katrina71 I forgot what skimmer you have, but will it fit in that first compartment ok? Looks like once you have a sock in there, there won't be a whole lot of room. I am sure you gave Lowell the measurements though. Doesn't leave much room for a future upgrade. Other than that concern, it looks fine to me.

 

[hdsoftail1065]

It looks like a nice design for sure! I seen the skimmer compartment size being brought up a few times. I have to agree with @Fin and the other folks. Just double check the measurements. Like in woodworking, measure twice and cut once. Nice design @Lowell Lemon!

 

[fabutahoun]

Design looks good

Filter sock holder is nice to have, I don't run socks all the time. I run them occasionally after water change and cleaning.
Bulkhead can be useful to hard plump the sump, Skimmer section is little small but will work, however the sump will need modification if you changed the sump.

For me I like the fuge to be before the skimmer. when the fuge is before the skimmer you can make the water level higher which will have more water volume, the bigger the fuge is the better. don't worry about pods sucked by skimmer as the pods that will be sucked is not much. if you setup the fuge after the skimmer it will at same or less height that the skimmer section.

Both will work, many reefers are doing both its just a personal preference.

 

[dantimdad]

@Katrina71 Two things:

1... I wouldn't use soft hose for drains. The main reason is you need to be able to put in a gate or ball valve to adjust the drain for silence and it's a pain with hose.
2... I never reuse bulkhead fittings at least replace the gaskets, but, in your case, you want ones that go to rigid pipe so I would replace them.

Make sure when you do, get schedule 80 because that's what you have on there and the holes are different from regular bulkhead fittings.

 

[fabutahoun]

Also isolating the fuge with black acrylic is an excellent idea. this will minimize algae growth inside the skimmer , my skimmer is full of coralline algae and I need to clean and soak it with vinegar frequently.

 

[dantimdad]

If you want to put the skimmer before the fuge you can put in on an eggcrate stand and raise it up so you can run the fuge water level higher.

I prefer the skimmer first because it doesn't have a chance to skim out good stuff.

 

[Fin]

I have used them for years and would never run a tank without one now.
I have the A and a D in the big tank (550 litre water volume, 700 over all).
I use 6% peroxide and 2 catalysts in each.

Do you have one in the tank, or are they both in the sump?

 

[NY_Caveman]

The Tunze 9004 was mentioned for a skimmer. It is 4.3" x 3.5" x 12" and has dual magnets to support it at any height. I would think before the refugium to protect pods and for what it does. Remove the organics and let the macro have the inorganics.

 

[Katrina71]

Design looks good

Filter sock holder is nice to have, I don't run socks all the time. I run them occasionally after water change and cleaning.
Bulkhead can be useful to hard plump the sump, Skimmer section is little small but will work, however the sump will need modification if you changed the sump.

For me I like the fuge to be before the skimmer. when the fuge is before the skimmer you can make the water level higher which will have more water volume, the bigger the fuge is the better. don't worry about pods sucked by skimmer as the pods that will be sucked is not much. if you setup the fuge after the skimmer it will at same or less height that the

@Katrina71 Two things:

1... I wouldn't use soft hose for drains. The main reason is you need to be able to put in a gate or ball valve to adjust the drain for silence and it's a pain with hose.
2... I never reuse bulkhead fittings at least replace the gaskets, but, in your case, you want ones that go to rigid pipe so I would replace them.

Make sure when you do, get schedule 80 because that's what you have on there and the holes are different from regular bulkhead fittings.

Excellent point about the valve!

 

[Katrina71]

The Tunze 9004 was mentioned for a skimmer. It is 4.3" x 3.5" x 12" and has dual magnets to support it at any height. I would think before the refugium to protect pods and for what it does. Remove the organics and let the macro have the inorganics.

Yes 9004

 

[Katrina71]

This is exactly why I want you guys to decide! Great info!!!

 

[Katrina71]

I'm going to get an extra pump and an extra skimmer JIC. Just gotta take care of essentials first. (Obviously first pump is a priority)

 

[dantimdad]

I have two extra modified coralife super skimmers. You can have one. They would be good in a pinch if something happened to yours.

Just remind me to throw one in the car on the way up there in April.

 

[sfin52]

I would prefer the skimmer before refugium because of what has been mentioned plus less macroalgea breaking off and clogging skimmer.

 

[fabutahoun]

on the other hand if the refugium is after the skimmer and before the return, macroalgea can breakup and clog the return in addition to broken algae floating around in display.

edit: and if there is a manifold to feed different reactors it will be much worse

 

[Lowell Lemon]

So from the group it sounds like a bigger skimmer area which makes the refugium smaller. Also I can drop the media area for more pump room. How big should I make the Skimmer chamber?

I designed the sump to run at about 11.5 " water depth on the pump and refugium side so Katrina 71 can have sump monsters! There will be a mold injected vent grate to prevent algae from getting into the pump chamber. An ATO is recommended on the sump chamber since it is smaller than the other areas. I can add probe holders and 1/4" holes for tube as well in the pump chamber.

Not in a hurry so if it takes until next week to finalize design it is okay. Just don't want to hold up Katrina 71 on any other part of the tank set up. I would run PVC instead of the clear vynal to prevent algae from growing in the drains and return lines. The cup holder sock holder can be removed...I have never used one but I used to prefillter in the overflow....that is how old school I am.

I always run a ground probe due to years of experience....it saves lives...yours and the fish and inverts. Induced voltage creates havoc on the fishes lateral line system.