I have a 35 gallon hex tank that I am going to make a reef tank. I plan on filtering with live sand, live rock, and a skimmer. I have many many questions but first on my mind is: What size should my sump be? What size should my refugium be? Does anyone have any suggestions on how to fit them under my tank? The stand is hexigonal as well. The stand and tank were given to me. I don't think I would have picked that shape to begin with but it is what I have to work with. Thank you for your help.

The general rule for a sump and or refugium is make them as big as you can. Obviously you are constrained by your stand and you may need to get creative to fit something under there. Are you feeling creative??

I do feel quite creative. Do you have something in mind?

first thing you need to do is what type of sump you want get the layout set before you built one try different drawings and what will be comfortable to work in any other Q? feel free to ask

id suggest get the same sized tank underneath & in the same shape as the display if you can fit it, run a central corridor for the main sump flow & 2 small baffles before the return. run 2 quarter moon shaped sections ether sides of your central corridor & have a semi high exit at the end of you moon sections (like a dam spill way by still submerged) to create a slightly slower area for your fuge areas if thats the way you want to go.


welcome to TR anyways bud

I must say I like Veriann's idear but you can also do one of the hang on back styles that a few companies offer. I've been using a 2.5 gallon hang on back fuge on a smaller tank for a while now with great success.

Bear in mind lighting constraints while your designing as well, if you plan to run macro algae in the refugium your going to want to light it somehow. I've had great luck with the little 25 watt halogen under cabinet "pucks" from home depot (had for pretty cheap, great spectrum, and teeney!) which may buy you space if that's a problem but at the cost of a little extra heat put off the bulb vs. flour. lighting. Do let us know what you do though!

2309

What do you think about this set up? Each side of the hex is 12 inches.

I would "T" off of the return line to feed the 'fuge. I used to have my drain line split into my refugium, but it led to a lot of detritus build up in there. You will need to add a couple valves so you can dial the proper flow to each tank.

Also, if you use a spray bar in the refugium, make sure its submerged. I had mine about a 1/2 inch off the water and it caused massive salt creep from the spray.