sump layout ok?

[arctictwist]

I am planning my sump for my 120 build...(ill start a thread soon, thanks to the casino!)...its a standard 55. I was wondering if its ok to have just two sections. one long one with my drain, which will be a filter sock in a 4" WYE, the LR and the skimmer, then a couple baffles and my return section with heaters. heres an aweful drawing of what i mean....

[uncleof6]

There is no right or wrong way to set up a sump. It is more what you want to do with it. If all you need is a skimmer section and a return section, then that will be fine. A sump can be more functional than that though. I don't use LR in a sump, because I feel it is counter-intuitive, but many others do.

Regards,

Jim

[ludnix]

Everything looks fine there, I personally would recommend skipping the filter sock and instead creating a bubble chamber for the drains to dump their bubbles into.

Filter socks can be great for polishing water and stopping bubbles, but I found over time they become more of a hassle to clean than they are worth. There are many who successfully use them, I just find that over time they get to be a chore and you might be happier just designing a sump that will allow use with or without socks.

[arctictwist]

See i have mixed feelings on the sock. On one hand, yea they can be a pain to keep cleaning, but on the other hand, i noticed with my last sump, which i just created a bubble tower in and no sock, detritus was everywhere and i feel like that was a BIG PITA.

Jim, i know they can do more, but ill have a separate fuge made from a 55 with a chaeto section and a section with a 6 inch sand bed to be planted in when mature. The reason for live rock in there is im going with a more open scape to let coral grow in and give my fish room on top to swim over. Could you tell me why you feel that away about it? Im always willing to learn more from everyone on here!

[uncleof6]

Originally posted by arctictwist
See i have mixed feelings on the sock. On one hand, yea they can be a pain to keep cleaning, but on the other hand, i noticed with my last sump, which i just created a bubble tower in and no sock, detritus was everywhere and i feel like that was a BIG PITA.

Jim, i know they can do more, but ill have a separate fuge made from a 55 with a chaeto section and a section with a 6 inch sand bed to be planted in when mature. The reason for live rock in there is im going with a more open scape to let coral grow in and give my fish room on top to swim over. Could you tell me why you feel that away about it? Im always willing to learn more from everyone on here!

The sump is basically a filtration system, rather than an extension of the main display. LR does serve as a "biological filter." The live rock in the main display, will also serve this function. You probably already know this, but there are two sides to the nitrogen cycle. Both sand and LR accomplish both sides, at least to start out. Bacterial secretions create a slime, that plugs the pores in live rock over time, (the same process that turns an improper sand bed to "concrete" in the lower levels) and the other side of the Nitrogen cycle, conversion of Nitrate to free Nitrogen, reduces. And the live rock takes on a more nitrate producing role. The LR in the sump is counter-intuitive for this reason. You are adding more nitrate to the system, rather than the sump reducing dissolved organics (skimmer) and a "fuge" for nutrient removal. A DSB in a fuge is a good idea, and more akin to what a Refugium should be. A thin layer of sand in a "fuge" (algae filter) would also be counter-intuitive for the same reason as the live rock. It would only produce Nitrates. (A reason for feeding a "fuge" with water from the return line) Putting live rock in with your DSB to seed it, and then removing it when the sand bed begins to mature would also be a good idea. I only brought it up as something to consider while designing your system. Many different ways to skin a cat.

Regards,

Jim