Critique my sump plumbing with pictures..

Jonviviano · 08/30/2012, 12:31 PM

Hello all, first off thanks for taking a look at my thread. I have a fairly new system setup. The display tank is a 18x18x18 curved front cube. The sump is plumbed through the wall into a closet right behind it. I have had alot of tanks but mostly with sumps below instead of behind. I would like to start a thread on my tank because there is alot of DIY. I wanted to post this seperate so my question doesnt get lost in a build thread. the picture isnt very clear, but its the best i have right now. the system is running smooth right now, but i would like to optimize everything and have a cleaner look. Thanks in advance.

Pool_shark · 08/30/2012, 05:00 PM

With an 18"x18"x18" cube, you probably have more water in your sump than in your tank... just saying. Does the water enter on the left and leave from the right-most chamber? Why is the pipe in the left chamber so long? Why is your skimmer on the outside of the middle chamber if there is noting else in there? Why not move your live rock from the left (settling chamber) to the center fuge chamber? Can you explain why you chose to set this up the way you did?

Jonviviano · 08/30/2012, 06:49 PM

Total system volume is around 36-40 gallons and yes, it seems like a lot is in the sump! I'm OK with that though as I plan on upgrading in the future. The tank water drains into the middle chamber. It flows to the right through the bubble trap and is returned from the third chamber back to the display. The return pump is T'd. One line to the tank and the other to the first chamber which eventually makes it's way through chambers 1 and 2. I woulf like to have the Skimmer in sump but I also have a filter sock in that chamber. I those this design for many reasons. But mainly so I could dial back my return pump and the excess water goes to my five

Pool_shark · 08/30/2012, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonviviano

I those this design for many reasons. But mainly so I could dial back my return pump and the excess water goes to my five

Ok, now I see what you're doing, and it will certainly work. However, if it were me, I would bring the new water into the sump on the far left, this way your hevy particles can settle out of your dirty water in the far left chamber and not go any further. Then you can return your "overflow water" from your return 'T' into the center, and also move your live rock into the center so it doesn't get showered with the heavy solids. You could actually return your "overflow water" from your return 'T' to the same chamber as your return pump if it made the plumbing easier.

This is a creative way to "dial back" a pump that you feel is too big. The key is the 'T' above the return pump and the ball valve. Nothing wrong with this except buying a smaller pump in the first place would probably run quieter and put a little less heat into the water.

naterealbig · 08/30/2012, 07:41 PM

Doesn't look bad, although I prefer to run my pumps externally

. If I remember correctly, the Coralife skimmers come with two different lengths of tubing to connect the pump to the skimmer; one short and one long. The longer one was to be used if the pump was sitting inside the sump, and the short one was to be used when the skimmer was hanging on the side. I would bet that you would get better air draw and stability from the skimmer if you used the shorter length of tubing.

If you don't have one handy, you will find the tubing you need at lowes or home depot. Should be a cheap experiment, which may lead to better performance out of your skimmer.

sheppard · 08/30/2012, 07:49 PM

I think its a good sump set up. But why did you T the return back into the left chamber of the sump?

08/30/2012, 12:31 PM	#1
Jonviviano Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 417	Critique my sump plumbing with pictures.. Hello all, first off thanks for taking a look at my thread. I have a fairly new system setup. The display tank is a 18x18x18 curved front cube. The sump is plumbed through the wall into a closet right behind it. I have had alot of tanks but mostly with sumps below instead of behind. I would like to start a thread on my tank because there is alot of DIY. I wanted to post this seperate so my question doesnt get lost in a build thread. the picture isnt very clear, but its the best i have right now. the system is running smooth right now, but i would like to optimize everything and have a cleaner look. Thanks in advance.

08/30/2012, 05:00 PM	#2
Pool_shark Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: NW Chicago Posts: 147	With an 18"x18"x18" cube, you probably have more water in your sump than in your tank... just saying. Does the water enter on the left and leave from the right-most chamber? Why is the pipe in the left chamber so long? Why is your skimmer on the outside of the middle chamber if there is noting else in there? Why not move your live rock from the left (settling chamber) to the center fuge chamber? Can you explain why you chose to set this up the way you did? __________________ 90 gal LR reef w fish, LPS, Zoas, MH & T5 lighting and 30 gal fuge w macro and pods controlled by Apex.

08/30/2012, 07:41 PM	#5
naterealbig Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 2,252	Doesn't look bad, although I prefer to run my pumps externally . If I remember correctly, the Coralife skimmers come with two different lengths of tubing to connect the pump to the skimmer; one short and one long. The longer one was to be used if the pump was sitting inside the sump, and the short one was to be used when the skimmer was hanging on the side. I would bet that you would get better air draw and stability from the skimmer if you used the shorter length of tubing. If you don't have one handy, you will find the tubing you need at lowes or home depot. Should be a cheap experiment, which may lead to better performance out of your skimmer. __________________ My skimmate has notes of saffron, and a hint of lilac.

08/30/2012, 06:49 PM	#3
Jonviviano Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 417	Total system volume is around 36-40 gallons and yes, it seems like a lot is in the sump! I'm OK with that though as I plan on upgrading in the future. The tank water drains into the middle chamber. It flows to the right through the bubble trap and is returned from the third chamber back to the display. The return pump is T'd. One line to the tank and the other to the first chamber which eventually makes it's way through chambers 1 and 2. I woulf like to have the Skimmer in sump but I also have a filter sock in that chamber. I those this design for many reasons. But mainly so I could dial back my return pump and the excess water goes to my five

08/30/2012, 07:49 PM	#6
sheppard Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Ontario Posts: 66	I think its a good sump set up. But why did you T the return back into the left chamber of the sump?