attaching a second sump...pump help

[blennymower]

Here it is. I have a sump where the skimmer and some filter socks will be located.

I want to add a refugium since I have another sump I am not using. I'm planning on adding a ball valve where the water falls and divert some of the water to the refugium.

My question is what rating should the pump in the refugium be? The sump is approximately 30 gallons. The pump will be returning the water to the main sump which will then return water to the DT.

[bradbmbj]

I think a Maxi jet 1200 will work fine. They are reliable and cheap.

[bradbmbj]

After reading your post again, could you please clarify again how the set up will be?

[blennymower]

I currently have a sump where my skimmer is. I want to add a refugium in a second sump I have lying around.

I want to divert some of the water from the overflow to the secons sump where the refugium will be.


So what pump rating should I get to shoot water from the refugium to the main sump?

[gooyferret]

You cant do that, or you can and have alot of problems! Your 2nd sump needs to be connected to the primary sump. Otherwise your going to possilby overflow your 2nd sump, or run it dry. You wont be able to get the pump set right to make it even.

[bradbmbj]

If I am understanding you right, it sounds like this is not where you should use a pump, but instead place the second sump/fuge a little higher than the main sump drill a hole in the second sump/fuge and let it drain into the main sump. Make any sense?

[blennymower]

Originally posted by gooyferret
You cant do that, or you can and have alot of problems! Your 2nd sump needs to be connected to the primary sump. Otherwise your going to possilby overflow your 2nd sump, or run it dry. You wont be able to get the pump set right to make it even.

The pump will be throwing the water back to the second sump.



The second sump will function like the primary one: Some water will be diverted to it and a pump will then throw it to the primary sump (as if it was the DT)

[bradbmbj]

My initial thoughts were that you were going to use a pump to push the water up from the main sump into the second sump/fuge and let it gravity drain down back into the main sump, but you said you want to let the overflow water fill the second sump/fuge and pump the water over the top back into the main sump with a pump that will match the ballvalves setting. While this could work it is dangerous, the balance there is something that would have to be monitored closely, you can sit there and watch it for an hour and it may look good, but it will never be perfect, the flow difference may take several hours to make a difference but it will. There is also an issue of the main pump failing, if this happens then you will run the second sump/fuge dry while overflowing the main.

[bradbmbj]

If I am not understanding you correctly I apologize.

[blennymower]

Yes I see your point.


One of the things I was planning on doing was what you have just suggested, which is have a pump shoot water to the second sump and then letting it overflow back to the main sump. My problem with this are the two options:

1. Drill a hole (But I'm reserving this because I don't want to drill a hole in case I might use this sump for something else in the future)

2. Install a HOB overflow (I'm scared electricity might go out breaking the siphon and when it comes back the pump will flood the sump).

[bradbmbj]

I too am very scared of a siphon overflow, I will never buy one. If you do drill the second sump, use a threaded bulkhead with teflon tape for your nipple that will go to the plumbing that will drain into the main sump, then if you need the second sump later, just put a threaded plug.

[blennymower]

Thanks a lot for your help

[bradbmbj]

Happy to help