PVC Sump Bubble Trap - Opinions Wanted

yagesz · 01/11/2014, 05:58 PM

So the idea is 1 1/2'' Flex from the overflow goes in to a 2 1/2" Tube which is inside a 3" tube inside a 4" tube. all siliconed in the center of the sump. Not the corner due to stuff getting jammed in there.

What do you think? Could I do this without the 4"?

I want to do this to maximize the amount of area for rubble and chaeto. What do you think?

ahub421 · 01/12/2014, 05:11 AM

Interesting idea, sounds like it would work but do tell more about the design. Are you planning to use a filter before this bubble trap? How would you be able to clean it? I'm thinking it needs to be bigger. Maybe 4" so a filter sock could be used then larger hard pvc around that. You could use threaded fittings and caps so it could be disassembled and cleaned.

I read a post from another free thinker from Europe who was speaking about using round cylinders for returns which also sounded interesting but I don't know if that plan worked out. Let us know if you build this and how it worked out.

Welcome to the USA.

yagesz · 01/12/2014, 10:54 AM

Yeah just got back to the states.

I want to silicone the largest pipe directly to the base. That would be the last overflow. Then a med size in the center of it so the water goes under that piece then up over the large. The small tube from my drain line would pour directly in the center.

Before the water goes into the cylinders I was thinking of building a small chamber that is openable that I can stuff with filter floss to clean out.

Just an idea. I want to maximize are in the sump for a refugium.

I hope this helps.

asudavew · 01/12/2014, 11:20 AM

If set up right it should work fine. IMHO

Try it out. PVC is cheap.

Don't forget pics.

yagesz · 01/13/2014, 03:10 PM

I will take pics. I think I know how to make this work.

Kristall-99 · 01/13/2014, 03:56 PM

im going to assume you are going to have small holes drilled in the up and over chamber to let the air bubbles out, or else im imagining your project completely different which happens alot

yagesz · 01/13/2014, 04:05 PM

innermost and outermost PVC will be say 8 inches. the middle layer will be 9 plus be sitting .5 to an inch off the bottom. Ill hold it in place be drilling through and putting a pair of acrylic/plastic rods.

Am i thinking wrong here?

Kristall-99 · 01/13/2014, 04:41 PM

oh so it will not have a cap ontop, i understand all sections will be open top with the middle layer being taller and off the bottom. makes sense to me.

yagesz · 01/13/2014, 07:12 PM

Yeah. Its the cheapest form of the idea. I think the largest section will actually be a coupler to get me some extra room.

I might buy a small piece of glass so that i can remove it from the tank and upgrade if i feel i need to? Modular Sump. what you think?

01/11/2014, 05:58 PM	#1
yagesz Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Wyoming Posts: 246	PVC Sump Bubble Trap - Opinions Wanted So the idea is 1 1/2'' Flex from the overflow goes in to a 2 1/2" Tube which is inside a 3" tube inside a 4" tube. all siliconed in the center of the sump. Not the corner due to stuff getting jammed in there. What do you think? Could I do this without the 4"? I want to do this to maximize the amount of area for rubble and chaeto. What do you think? __________________ 150g DT w/ 55g Sump: Jebao DCT15000, SCA303 Skimmer, Frostbite Clowns, Flame Angel Sold 40B - Vortech MP10, Glass Holes Overflow, Sold 90 Gallon - 3 Tangs, 3 Clowns, 1 Wrasse, 2 Angelfish, 1

01/12/2014, 10:54 AM	#3
yagesz Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Wyoming Posts: 246	Yeah just got back to the states. I want to silicone the largest pipe directly to the base. That would be the last overflow. Then a med size in the center of it so the water goes under that piece then up over the large. The small tube from my drain line would pour directly in the center. Before the water goes into the cylinders I was thinking of building a small chamber that is openable that I can stuff with filter floss to clean out. Just an idea. I want to maximize are in the sump for a refugium. I hope this helps. __________________ 150g DT w/ 55g Sump: Jebao DCT15000, SCA303 Skimmer, Frostbite Clowns, Flame Angel Sold 40B - Vortech MP10, Glass Holes Overflow, Sold 90 Gallon - 3 Tangs, 3 Clowns, 1 Wrasse, 2 Angelfish, 1

01/12/2014, 11:20 AM	#4
asudavew Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: San Angelo, Texas Posts: 1,010	If set up right it should work fine. IMHO Try it out. PVC is cheap. Don't forget pics. __________________ Be nice. Current Tank Info: 180, 125, 75

01/13/2014, 03:10 PM	#5
yagesz Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Wyoming Posts: 246	I will take pics. I think I know how to make this work. __________________ 150g DT w/ 55g Sump: Jebao DCT15000, SCA303 Skimmer, Frostbite Clowns, Flame Angel Sold 40B - Vortech MP10, Glass Holes Overflow, Sold 90 Gallon - 3 Tangs, 3 Clowns, 1 Wrasse, 2 Angelfish, 1

01/13/2014, 04:05 PM	#7
yagesz Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Wyoming Posts: 246	innermost and outermost PVC will be say 8 inches. the middle layer will be 9 plus be sitting .5 to an inch off the bottom. Ill hold it in place be drilling through and putting a pair of acrylic/plastic rods. Am i thinking wrong here? __________________ 150g DT w/ 55g Sump: Jebao DCT15000, SCA303 Skimmer, Frostbite Clowns, Flame Angel Sold 40B - Vortech MP10, Glass Holes Overflow, Sold 90 Gallon - 3 Tangs, 3 Clowns, 1 Wrasse, 2 Angelfish, 1

01/12/2014, 05:11 AM	#2
ahub421 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: S Tampa Posts: 187	Interesting idea, sounds like it would work but do tell more about the design. Are you planning to use a filter before this bubble trap? How would you be able to clean it? I'm thinking it needs to be bigger. Maybe 4" so a filter sock could be used then larger hard pvc around that. You could use threaded fittings and caps so it could be disassembled and cleaned. I read a post from another free thinker from Europe who was speaking about using round cylinders for returns which also sounded interesting but I don't know if that plan worked out. Let us know if you build this and how it worked out. Welcome to the USA.

01/13/2014, 03:56 PM	#6
Kristall-99 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 25	im going to assume you are going to have small holes drilled in the up and over chamber to let the air bubbles out, or else im imagining your project completely different which happens alot

01/13/2014, 04:41 PM	#8
Kristall-99 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 25	oh so it will not have a cap ontop, i understand all sections will be open top with the middle layer being taller and off the bottom. makes sense to me.

01/13/2014, 07:12 PM	#9
yagesz Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Wyoming Posts: 246	Yeah. Its the cheapest form of the idea. I think the largest section will actually be a coupler to get me some extra room. I might buy a small piece of glass so that i can remove it from the tank and upgrade if i feel i need to? Modular Sump. what you think? __________________ 150g DT w/ 55g Sump: Jebao DCT15000, SCA303 Skimmer, Frostbite Clowns, Flame Angel Sold 40B - Vortech MP10, Glass Holes Overflow, Sold 90 Gallon - 3 Tangs, 3 Clowns, 1 Wrasse, 2 Angelfish, 1