Guest Bevo5 Posted May 3, 2015 Share Posted May 3, 2015 Hi all - I'm getting a custom sump made and I have a few questions on what I should be getting. It's going on a 180g tank and I'm wanting to get something in the 65g volume range. Like 48in x 16 or something. Basically - I'm thinking 48in long with two filter socks, room for a big reef octopus 300int skimmer (or something similar), a fuge and then some general open room for a calcium reactor or something. Throw in the baffles and bubble traps and that should be about it. RIght? I originally wanted to put an ATO reservoir on the end but I'm thinking that might be a pain to refill. So now I'm considering having a little bench made that matches the stand - and I'll put a 20g container in there for the ato. I will have about 60in of space in the stand (putting in a shelving unit with a foot of space on the end). So I guess I could always go bigger. If so - should I get a much larger fuge, or just leave more open space for gadgets and reactors? These seem pretty basic to me - but is there any additional tips/ideas I could incorporate? Anyone have a good diagram or layout to look at? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdietz2469 Posted May 4, 2015 Share Posted May 4, 2015 I don't trust seals and hoses. With time they all leak, orings crack, so I like extra room. Personally, I blacked out my fuge so light didn't cause algae growth on my skimmer or reactors. Also probe holders and drip line holders are a must. Just a few things I added. Shane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Bevo5 Posted May 4, 2015 Share Posted May 4, 2015 Yeah I'd prefer to have as much space as possible. I have to get together with the guy building my stand to see exactly how much space I'll have in there. How big of a fuge do I really need? I don't want to go too small for it to be useful.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JManrow Posted May 4, 2015 Share Posted May 4, 2015 You can fill your ATO reservoir with your RO system. Just have a good automatic shutoff on that as well. There will be a bit more to that shut-off, using one that does not let the waster-water run after your reservoir is full. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JManrow Posted May 4, 2015 Share Posted May 4, 2015 I have been using gravity-fed ATOs for 30 years, and only had one leak once. It was easily fixed by putting some food-grade silicon grease on the seal. I do this every couple of years now, as part of my maintenance. O-rings will need a little maintenance to prevent cracking, and should be replaced every few years anyway. I about to replace the o-ring I got with my Bak-Pak skimmer I got in 1997. At least that one was just a retaining ring! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JManrow Posted May 4, 2015 Share Posted May 4, 2015 I like to have near 25% of the display tank volume. Yours sounds be great, and could easily hold a lot of filtering gear and contain a refugium as well! I have seen systems at public aquariums that hold a larger capacity than the display tank! Here is a good read, and some additional links. http://www.wetwebmedia.com/refugium.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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