New Sump

[Rudy]

I have an all glass 125 gal (72L x 18Wx 24H) I am planning to use for my sump. I would like to get start securing the various baffles and compartments this weekend.

I have read a lot over the past 6 months and I am left actually more uncertain. One simple example, I have seen designs with the skimmer placed before (upstream) the refugium as well as after (down stream).

I have attached a schematic of what I am planning to build, but I am seeking thoughts, comments, adjustments, advice, etc? :idea:

I am open to any/all constructive criticism.

Thanks - I need a change of pace from the stand.

 

[Sploke]

Dang, large sump. What size is the display tank? I have a 20long sump on my 55 reef, its broken up into 3 compartments right now. The drain from the tank splits into 2 on the way down. About 2/3 of the water goes directly into the skimmer compartment, and 1/3 goes into the fuge. They each flow back to the middle into the return pump section. The heater is in the fuge. So the layout is skimmer --> return pump <-- fuge

 

[Sploke]

another thing that might have some impact on the design....what size is the main tank, how much flow are you planning on running through the sump, is it reef, FOWLR, etc?

 

[vorlx]

What I would do to be able to fit/afford a 125 gallon sump/refugium under my tank hahaha... Then again a 125g sump/refu for a 75g tank might be a little backwards!

What I did with mine is a 2 1/2 compartment setup.

I have the intake on the far left with the skimmer, then water overflows into the refugium, there is an acrylic divider/eggcrate dividing the last compartment which only contains the return pump. I have my heater in the refugium due to size constraints mostly but it seems to work well in that chamber. I have experimented many times with sock filters but just seemed to get the most benefit by leaving it all natural without mechanical filtration (other than the skimmer if you want to call that mechanical). I run carbon by using a media bag inside an enclosure from an old emporer 280/400. It fits perfect in front of my first overflow section in the sump.

I honestly really like the simple layout. The only thing I would probably change in a larger form or a redo of mine would be a higher 3rd compartment so that I could go with a DSB. I have seen many different types of layouts and am convinced you can be successful in many different ways.

One comment about yours would to be to put the skimmer before a bubble trap if you are going to have them. Alot of skimmers can add to the micro bubble issue which I am sure you are already aware.

What size DT do you have? Are you adding a sump from scratch or do you already have one and are upgrading it?

 

[Rudy]

Sorry I neglected to include valuable information. Although I have kept marine species for approximately 15 years, believe it or not I have never incorporated a sump into my hardware. I guess I followed the Berlin method rather strictly, albeit initially coincidental. Couple that with this complete DIY system in our new house, I am a bit over my head in a few areas, most notably, plumbing, and lighting. :headshake2:

I am in the midst of a 230 gal system build. Or, Tank-Build is how I believe I am expected to refer to it. :silly: So to directly answer your questions directly.

1 the display tank is approximately 230 gal.

What size is the main tank?

230 us gal

how much flow are you planning on running through the sump?

At least 1200 GPH. I am planning to use a Blueline 70 HD for the sump return pump and a Blueline 30 HD-X feeding an oceans motions 4-way on the closed loop.

is it reef, FOWLR, etc?

It is going to be a reef tank, but I will be very conservative. Refer to earlier comments regarding my first sump.

Rather than repeat myself or continue on about the project, you can visit the "Tank Build" thread by following this link:

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=139370

Thanks for the advice. I have a follow-up question forthcoming on a new reply post.

 

[Rudy]

I have seen many different types of layouts and am convinced you can be successful in many different ways.

as is the case with most things. Or at least I am hoping.

One comment about yours would to be to put the skimmer before a bubble trap if you are going to have them. Alot of skimmers can add to the micro bubble issue which I am sure you are already aware.

This is exactly why I posted my schematic. Catch my mistakes. Skimmer position relative to baffles was somthing I had neglected to consider. Thanks

What size DT do you have?

230 us gal, see previous response for other specifications.

Are you adding a sump from scratch or do you already have one and are upgrading it?

First sump.



I have a question for you. If I am going to have at least a 4-6" DSB in my display tank, why do I really need a DSB in my refugium? That is not to say, I will not have live sand in their, but another 4", is not likely unless it is just left over. More like 2", tops. Would the addiitonal 2-3 inches really make a big difference in copepod and other microfauna production?

Thanks for the help

 

[vorlx]

I have a question for you. If I am going to have at least a 4-6" DSB in my display tank, why do I really need a DSB in my refugium? That is not to say, I will not have live sand in their, but another 4", is not likely unless it is just left over. More like 2", tops. Would the addiitonal 2-3 inches really make a big difference in copepod and other microfauna production?

Thanks for the help

Probably no reason to have it if you maintain a DSB in your DT. I don't have a DSB in my DT which is why I wanted one in my refugium. After thought really. You probably wouldn't need to continue it in your refugium as far as copepod/microfauna/macroalgae growth/production.

 

[kcress]

I'd certainly agree with vorlx in that you'd probably want the skimmer directly working on the pre-skimmed stuff coming from the tank. Not after some filtering. Otherwise the organics you're trying to carry out of the system with the skimmer may just stay somewhere in your filter media connected to your water.

 

[kcress]

BTW nice graphic man.

I'd just move the skimmer to the first chamber and move everything else down one. You can then try your media filter stuff and yank it later if desired.

 

[clown-lover]

My only concern is that you have the skimmer after the refugium and according to stuff that I have read you'll end up skimming PODS before they ever hit your return zone back to the tank and you are going to be loosing what I consider a valuable asset to the tank even before they get there.

See http://www.melevsreef.com/make_a_sump.html. I consider melev one of the best manufacturers out there and when reading up on my sump when I purchased my used setup wondered exactly why he designed the type F that I have the way he did..

JMO - hth

Mark