check b/f put in partitions

sassyfrassy · 03/11/2010, 11:02 AM

Would anyone like to check behind me to make sure I've covered all scenarios (power outage/ lost siphon) re: flooding issues b/f I put my partitions in? This is my preposed set up:
DT: 36X18X24"H, 1-1/2" free space above surface of water. Also 1 1/2" from surface to overflow box that can siphon out w/ power outage.

sump: 24X12X20 1/2"H, over-partition 14" w/water level @ 15" for skimmer compartment, then under partition into 5" return compartment.

fuge: 36X12X16"H, over-partition 14" w/water level @15", then under-partition 4" from drain (w/rock rubble b/t partitions to further break up bubbles. Drain 3 1/2" from top of tank.

The DT will over flow into sump which will pump up to fuge which will gravity flow back into DT. Power outage both DT & fuge will drain down into sump. Siphon break and sump will pump into fuge & gravity flow into DT. If I set it up as planned will I be covered re: flooding?

THANK YOU SOOO MUCH FOR CHECKING THIS FOR ME! Carolyn

sowellj · 03/11/2010, 11:06 AM

Assuming I am envisioning this correctly, as long as you have siphon breaks for the line that feeds the fuge and the line that feeds the DT you should be fine. It is a good idea to kill the power just to check things.

Fizz71 · 03/11/2010, 12:28 PM

It's tough to do the math on all your empty places to really figure it out. Especially without seeing it. One thing to recognize is the amount of water that will be in suspension (in motion) is dependant on your return pump..or in this case, your pump to the fuge. The faster that pump, the higher above your DT overflow that water will reside...at a constant level. Once the power goes out ALL that water PLUS all the water in your fuge above the drain will wind up in you sump so make sure you've got the room for that much water.

Also remember whatever pump you have going to the fuge, the drain to the DT better be able to handle atleast twice that so you don't run into problems down the line. You may also wind up with bubbles in your DT gravity feeding it unless the drain and return are both underwater...I actually did a similar setup as you and eventually abandonded it because of the bubbles (because the drain wasn't completely submerged).

Can I ask why you're pumping your sump into your fuge? You're going to gain the benefit of not shredding fuge life going into the tank, but you'll be loosing the ability to use the sump for any real flow. Your pump will need to be REAL slow.

Did you ever consider TWO pumps in your sump? One fast one returning to the DT and a smaller one that pumps up to the fuge? You can control things a LOT better. That's actually the way I ran mine until the bubbles annoyed me too much...then I changed it so the fuge gravity returned back to the sump instead. You really have to be careful your macro in the fuge doesn't clog up the drains...I had to clean them out often.

Good luck!

sassyfrassy · 03/11/2010, 12:51 PM

What I had actually considered was Dt to sump & back to DT W/ 1250 Eheim pump. And using a small PH to pump water directly from DT (before skimming) into fuge. Fuge has a hole cut in it to gravity feed back into DT and it will be completely submurged, plus there are bubble trap partitions b/f the drain too. What do you think?

03/11/2010, 11:02 AM	#1
sassyfrassy Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Kings Mountain, NC Posts: 912	check b/f put in partitions Would anyone like to check behind me to make sure I've covered all scenarios (power outage/ lost siphon) re: flooding issues b/f I put my partitions in? This is my preposed set up: DT: 36X18X24"H, 1-1/2" free space above surface of water. Also 1 1/2" from surface to overflow box that can siphon out w/ power outage. sump: 24X12X20 1/2"H, over-partition 14" w/water level @ 15" for skimmer compartment, then under partition into 5" return compartment. fuge: 36X12X16"H, over-partition 14" w/water level @15", then under-partition 4" from drain (w/rock rubble b/t partitions to further break up bubbles. Drain 3 1/2" from top of tank. The DT will over flow into sump which will pump up to fuge which will gravity flow back into DT. Power outage both DT & fuge will drain down into sump. Siphon break and sump will pump into fuge & gravity flow into DT. If I set it up as planned will I be covered re: flooding? THANK YOU SOOO MUCH FOR CHECKING THIS FOR ME! Carolyn __________________ Faith, hope, and love abide; but the greatest of these is love. Current Tank Info: 40g breeder DT LR & Macro Algae - 2" sand, 6 T5s & 2 fans in hood; 30gL sump/fuge w/MSX 200 skimmer & other equip.; (mangroves in DT - roots are great look)

03/11/2010, 12:51 PM	#4
sassyfrassy Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Kings Mountain, NC Posts: 912	What I had actually considered was Dt to sump & back to DT W/ 1250 Eheim pump. And using a small PH to pump water directly from DT (before skimming) into fuge. Fuge has a hole cut in it to gravity feed back into DT and it will be completely submurged, plus there are bubble trap partitions b/f the drain too. What do you think? __________________ Faith, hope, and love abide; but the greatest of these is love. Current Tank Info: 40g breeder DT LR & Macro Algae - 2" sand, 6 T5s & 2 fans in hood; 30gL sump/fuge w/MSX 200 skimmer & other equip.; (mangroves in DT - roots are great look)

03/11/2010, 11:06 AM	#2
sowellj Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: greenwood, sc Posts: 712	Assuming I am envisioning this correctly, as long as you have siphon breaks for the line that feeds the fuge and the line that feeds the DT you should be fine. It is a good idea to kill the power just to check things.

03/11/2010, 12:28 PM	#3
Fizz71 FragSwapper Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: West Lawn, PA Posts: 5,800	It's tough to do the math on all your empty places to really figure it out. Especially without seeing it. One thing to recognize is the amount of water that will be in suspension (in motion) is dependant on your return pump..or in this case, your pump to the fuge. The faster that pump, the higher above your DT overflow that water will reside...at a constant level. Once the power goes out ALL that water PLUS all the water in your fuge above the drain will wind up in you sump so make sure you've got the room for that much water. Also remember whatever pump you have going to the fuge, the drain to the DT better be able to handle atleast twice that so you don't run into problems down the line. You may also wind up with bubbles in your DT gravity feeding it unless the drain and return are both underwater...I actually did a similar setup as you and eventually abandonded it because of the bubbles (because the drain wasn't completely submerged). Can I ask why you're pumping your sump into your fuge? You're going to gain the benefit of not shredding fuge life going into the tank, but you'll be loosing the ability to use the sump for any real flow. Your pump will need to be REAL slow. Did you ever consider TWO pumps in your sump? One fast one returning to the DT and a smaller one that pumps up to the fuge? You can control things a LOT better. That's actually the way I ran mine until the bubbles annoyed me too much...then I changed it so the fuge gravity returned back to the sump instead. You really have to be careful your macro in the fuge doesn't clog up the drains...I had to clean them out often. Good luck!