Sump questions

blakemiller1981 · 11/06/2009, 11:37 PM

Ok heres my delima. I just acquired a 125 gallon tank to setup for a friend who got injured overseas as a present for him. I want to setup a sump on it also but dont know what to do or where to start. I myself have a 55 gallon tank setup and was going to use another 55 gallon tank for the sump. My questions are how do i setup the sump like where do the baffles go and at what height? also the 125 gallon tank has a 1 inch bulkhead on the back right side of the tank about 5 inches down. I also have a 600 gph overflow box and a 550 gph return pump that i ordered both online. Do I need anything else besides the pipes also how would i setup the pipes?

Like I said im totally new to using the sump as my tank does not have one (wish it did tho). Anything anyone can tell me would be great thanks.

Bandsaw · 11/07/2009, 06:38 AM

Much of it is personal preference. Here is a link to all sorts of DIY sumps to get some ideas

http://www.melevsreef.com/allmysumps.html

ordy1 · 11/07/2009, 06:54 AM

As stated, you can get some great idea's from Melevsreef.com.

Most folk divide the tank into three sections. Skimmer section, which includes the feed from the display tank. Fuge section, self explanatory, and the return section. The skimmer section will contain a bubble trap composed of three panes of glass or acrylic sheet.

Some folk set it up in this order: Skimmer ---> Fuge ---> Return. Others split the tank equally on each side and use the middle of the tank as the return. Water from the display tank is tee'd and sent to each side of the sump tank. One side for the skimmer and the other for the fuge. These two sides then spill towards the return section in the middle.

Which design you decide to use is an argument for the ages. Some folk say that all your Display tank water should first flow to your skimmer section instead of being tee'd and allowed to flow to the fuge and the skimmer. They claim that tee'ing to your fuge creates a detritus trap requiring constant cleaning. Myself, I set up a 20 gallon tank with the flow going to my skimmer ----> Fuge---> Return. But I have two 1 inch overflows and I split one of them by tee'ing it off, attatching a 1/2" ball valve and then attaching 1/2" Loc-Line to provide flow to my fuge.

Hope this helped.

11/06/2009, 11:37 PM	#1
blakemiller1981 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 104	Sump questions Ok heres my delima. I just acquired a 125 gallon tank to setup for a friend who got injured overseas as a present for him. I want to setup a sump on it also but dont know what to do or where to start. I myself have a 55 gallon tank setup and was going to use another 55 gallon tank for the sump. My questions are how do i setup the sump like where do the baffles go and at what height? also the 125 gallon tank has a 1 inch bulkhead on the back right side of the tank about 5 inches down. I also have a 600 gph overflow box and a 550 gph return pump that i ordered both online. Do I need anything else besides the pipes also how would i setup the pipes? Like I said im totally new to using the sump as my tank does not have one (wish it did tho). Anything anyone can tell me would be great thanks.

11/07/2009, 06:38 AM	#2
Bandsaw Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: North Eastern Ontario (above Sudbury) Posts: 720	Much of it is personal preference. Here is a link to all sorts of DIY sumps to get some ideas http://www.melevsreef.com/allmysumps.html __________________ VE3SZB Failure is not an option - It is a requirement if you expect to learn anything. Click on my home page button for pictures of my aquarium. Current Tank Info: 75g Display, CPR SM Aquafuge, 8g sump, 20g tall fuge, Maxspect R420R LED, KoralLin 1502 CaRa, EV-180 Skimmer

11/07/2009, 06:54 AM	#3
ordy1 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: new jersey Posts: 425	As stated, you can get some great idea's from Melevsreef.com. Most folk divide the tank into three sections. Skimmer section, which includes the feed from the display tank. Fuge section, self explanatory, and the return section. The skimmer section will contain a bubble trap composed of three panes of glass or acrylic sheet. Some folk set it up in this order: Skimmer ---> Fuge ---> Return. Others split the tank equally on each side and use the middle of the tank as the return. Water from the display tank is tee'd and sent to each side of the sump tank. One side for the skimmer and the other for the fuge. These two sides then spill towards the return section in the middle. Which design you decide to use is an argument for the ages. Some folk say that all your Display tank water should first flow to your skimmer section instead of being tee'd and allowed to flow to the fuge and the skimmer. They claim that tee'ing to your fuge creates a detritus trap requiring constant cleaning. Myself, I set up a 20 gallon tank with the flow going to my skimmer ----> Fuge---> Return. But I have two 1 inch overflows and I split one of them by tee'ing it off, attatching a 1/2" ball valve and then attaching 1/2" Loc-Line to provide flow to my fuge. Hope this helped.