Need Help Planning my Sump

[MrDellimore]

Hello R2R community!

After building my tank and aquascaping, I am trying to sift through different filtration options for my 180G Display Tank. I have a 29G sump gifted to me by one of my friends, but I am considering purchasing a 75G tank from a petstore for more options.

I ideally want this to be a tank that is low maintenance and I am willing to invest to make sure that the filtration reduces my need for water changes as much as possible. The equipment I am planning to add is as follows:

• Recirculating Reef Octopus Skimmer (Not sure if I should try to plumb this externally to allow more space for a refugium)
• Refugium (Not sure how I will go about this or what size I need)
• Clarisea SK5000 rollermat (so I dont need to change filter socks)
• UV Sterilizer (On the fence if this is really needed)

I am plumbing 2 return pumps

ClariSea SK-5000 Automatic Filter System - D-D The Aquarium Solution

ClariSea fleece filters automatically remove particulates from your water that would normally turn into nitrates and phosphates. Perfect for reef aquariums, the SK-5000 Automatic Filter System will leave your tank with brilliantly clean water which will help increase your lighting penetration...

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Regal 200EXT 8" Recirculating Protein Skimmer (VarioS)

BRS Recommended for tanks up to: Heavy Bioload (Most Common) - 175 Gallons Medium Bioload - 250 Gallons Light Bioload - 400 gallons Reef Octopus Recirculating 8" Protein Skimmer from Reef Octopus - with a controllable VarioS DC pumps to process more or less water, depending on your aquariums...

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Smart UV 40 Watt (OPEN BOX)

Emperor Aquatics is now Pentair Aquatic Eco-Systems. Why does BRS recommend this? When it comes to UV most other companies will recommend a small UV for a large tank which in reality won’t do much more than make your water look a bit clearer. If your ultimate goal is to keep bacteria, protozoa...

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My refugium is a bit of an unknown to me because I am not sure what size I should aim for or what I will ultimately set it up with.

With the equipment I am planning is a 75G sump adequate size? Also is my filtration approach in the right direction for my goals? I am pretty new to reefing and not sure if i am neglecting something.

Thanks for any and all direction!

 

[ScubaDan206]

Will you use a manifold for your reactors, or separate pumps? I think the refugium should be a s large as possible. Give it access to as much of your system volume as possible. Is it possible to use the 29 as an external refugium? Others have said too, but make your maintenance chores easiest to access so you don't mind doing them.

 

[MrDellimore]

I haven't even considered reactors as part of my filtration yet. Being that I already have the two return pumps I would most likely plumb a manifold if I start reactors.

I am pretty new to this and havent even cycled the tank yet because I want to ensure I have a proper plan for filtration.

Are reactors something you think I should consider this early or at what point would I need them?

 

[MrDellimore]

To give better context, I plan on keeping livestock that is low maintenance and not adding a heavy bio-load. I dont plan on keeping any complex corals, at least for now.

So I am trying to plan my filtration around these parameters for now until I maybe I decide to stock something more complex later.

 

[ScubaDan206]

I would plan for ease of expansion for the long term, even if you don't need it yet. Adding things on later is easier and cheaper if you already have the plans and capacity built into the design.

 

[ScubaDan206]

I think a carbon reactor to start.

 

[MrDellimore]

Gotcha, should be fairly easy and low cost to just plumb a manifold for additional reactors. At what point would you start running carbon on a tank?

 

[ScubaDan206]

I started day one, but you don't need it all the time. Use it to clear water periodically or when you cut corals to absorb possible toxins.