final stages of planning out my sump-- diagram + pictures

[a.browning]

Some of you all may have seen my other sump threads, but I am now in my final planning stages. I'm doing a main sump, and I'll be adding on a refugium at a later time. Here is my design. It uses a 10 gallon aquarium as a sump for a 55 gallon aquarium. My skimmer is a SRO 1000 INT and my return pump is a Mag 5. I made some baffles out of cardboard to get an idea of how it would be. Questions to follow.







A few questions.

1. Is my sump level too high? My skimmer only needs 6" of water but I made it deeper in order to have the return section deeper.

2. As for glass baffles, I'll use 1/4" for strength. Should I get them cut 1/8" short overall or 1/8" short on each side, so basically 1/4" short. If that makes sense.. The inside width is 10". So should I get pieces cut to 9 7/8" or 9 3/4"?

3. Random, but are ball valves completely watertight when closed? Would there be small drips or are they completely efficient when closed?

Thanks a lot everyone, once I get it all finalized I'll be getting my glass cut this weekend hopefully!

[RokleM]

Calculator:

http://www.reefcentral.com/index.php/sump-volume

I know it's hard to guess on the height of the water in the tank, but it's a good start. I know you already have the tank, but personally I'd go with a little bigger tank unless you're restricted in size under the stand by other equipment.

1/4" glass is fine, and yes buy them slightly smaller than you want to ensure they fit You don't want a huge gap, but silicone will do a pretty good job of filling minor gaps.

Yes, quality ball valves should be 100% watertight unless there is another issue.

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I am restricted by space under the stand. The stand is barely over 10 inches wide inside so my options are limited. Maybe I should make it 7", just in case? The sump volume calculator wont work for me so I'm not sure if that would help me figure it out.

[das75]

unless planning a ATO, keep the baffles high for volume to keep up with evaporation. Can always easily raise the skimmer on a platform if needed. Be aware that need some extra volume to handle the back flow with return pump off (power outage or maintenance).

A ball valve should seal, wouldn't be much of a valve if it didn't.

[a.browning]

Originally Posted by das75

unless planning a ATO, keep the baffles high for volume to keep up with evaporation. Can always easily raise the skimmer on a platform if needed. Be aware that need some extra volume to handle the back flow with return pump off (power outage or maintenance).

A ball valve should seal, wouldn't be much of a valve if it didn't.

Thanks! I'm thinking about an ATO unit, but again with the space limitations.. I'd love to keep the sump level high, it's just a matter of handling the water in case of a power outage. Would having the sump 2/3 full be pushing it? Why did I choose such a narrow tank.. lol. I'm trying to do the best design I can.