Any Good Split Sump ideas out there?

ArmyScottF · 05/17/2012, 08:20 AM

I am currently setting up/building a 220g mixed reef system. I have two 35g aquariums sitting in my garage that I would like to use for the sump. Maybe one for the skimmer and one for the refugium. Im just not sure where I should put the bubble traps, and how to plumb the whole setup. Every time I look at it I scratch my head and cant come up with a good plan!

Any help would be appreciated!!

kagetaro99 · 05/17/2012, 09:21 AM

I just set up a 75 with my version of a split sump. I had 2 premade sumps and a 20 long sitting around and wanted to get as much water volume as I could. I have my main overflow split with each split leading to one of the premade sumps. I have a ball valve on one of the splits so that I can slow down the flow through one of the sumps and turn it into a fuge. The other I can use for what ever I like down the road. Then both of the premade sumps drain into my 20 long where i have my heaters and such. All ending at my return pump back up to the display.

thegrun · 05/17/2012, 09:29 AM

What part has you stumped? What sizes are the tanks and what is the footprint of your skimmer? I would definitely drill the tanks and use bulkheads assuming the glass is not tempered. Are you going to use filter socks? As I imagine it the set-up would drain down into a skimmer section (optional filter socks), then into a refugium section which would likely be split partially into both tank interconnected with two 1-1/2" lines, then your return pump section. You will need to find out how much water volume will flow down into the sump when the return pump is off and be certain you size the return section large enough to handle that water volume plus a little more for emergencies.

BigCountry74 · 05/17/2012, 10:12 AM

choo choo train!

Drill each tank and fuse them together with a xlarge bulkhead. Run the skimmer in the first 35g, then the fuge in the other with a single baffle towards the end of that to house your return pump. You will not need any bubble traps.

ArmyScottF · 05/17/2012, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigCountry74

choo choo train!

Drill each tank and fuse them together with a xlarge bulkhead. Run the skimmer in the first 35g, then the fuge in the other with a single baffle towards the end of that to house your return pump. You will not need any bubble traps.

Would the first tank need to be elevated more than the second to keep the water running?

Why wouldnt I need any more baffles or bubble traps besides the one at the end??

ArmyScottF · 05/17/2012, 10:36 AM

Im going to have 2 2" drains coming from the overflows, I assumed I would have one flow to the skimmer tank and one to the fuge tank. I dont want to mess with the socks so that is kinda a mute point.

The part that I am stumped about is where should my two overflows go, one to the fuge one to the skimmer like I said or both to the skimmer.

The other item that confuses me is the power loss of everything and how to make sure there isnt any way to have a "FLOOD"... My tank is going in my family room on wood floors...my old lady will KILL me if I screw up the floor!!

BigCountry74 · 05/17/2012, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArmyScottF

Would the first tank need to be elevated more than the second to keep the water running?

Why wouldnt I need any more baffles or bubble traps besides the one at the end??

Nope. You can place them both on same level. You only need a baffle to form a section that will hold your return pump (unless you want it sitting directly in the fuge, which could get dirty).

Bubbles from your skimmer output cannot get thru the bulkhead, so the bulkhead is essentially your bubble trap

Run your 2 DT overflow pipes into a single T and run that into your skimmer section (toss a gate valve on here also), you want that water good and mechanically filtered before it flows into the fuge. you will not need any filter socks. thats the beauty of this setup

the skimmer will pull everything.

BigCountry74 · 05/17/2012, 10:59 AM

if you cut the power off now, how much water (gallons roughly) flows out of your DT before the boxes shut down? that's how much you will need to leave available in your sump. add a small cushion on top of that number also.

220g tank your prob gonna need 20+- gallons of power failure water storage depending on how your overflow boxes are manufactured/configured.

so with 70g of total sump, you only need 45g+- of water in it flowing etc.

BigCountry74 · 05/17/2012, 11:06 AM

if this is your first sump, keep it simple and try not to overthink it. the more complex, the more can go wrong hehe

ArmyScottF · 05/17/2012, 11:17 AM

This is my first everything...and I understand the kiss method, just dont always know how to implement it.

I have a 29g biocube that I just love, then this monster (220g) fell into my lap and I figured I would take my time, ask as many questions until Im comfortable, and enjoy the build.

Nothing is together yet, I am probably going to put the sumps together this weekend and try and get some water flow (maybe).

Other than that...

Thank you very much for the the help!

ArmyScottF · 05/17/2012, 11:51 AM

Thinking about what you are saying, I would think that there would need to be a baffle between the fuge and the skimmer also? I wouldnt want the DSB or any critters etc trying to go up stream to the skimmer. Or is the flow going to be to much for any worry with that?

St.Pete_Reefer · 05/17/2012, 12:06 PM

For my 30 gallon I just bought 2 10 gallon tanks from walmart for $30 shipped.

BigCountry74 · 05/17/2012, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArmyScottF

Thinking about what you are saying, I would think that there would need to be a baffle between the fuge and the skimmer also? I wouldnt want the DSB or any critters etc trying to go up stream to the skimmer. Or is the flow going to be to much for any worry with that?

Most certainly. Sorry forgot to add that.

Here is a pic of mine when I first set it up. The chaeto has been replaced with an alage scrubber but this setup has been up and running strong for 4+ months. What I love about the 2 tank sump setup is they are isolated. So I can shut everything down and do maintance on each tank at a time.

You cannot see the return pump section but its all the way to the right.

Make sure you drill some holes in your fuge baffles also (helps with flow thru there):

So first tank (skimmer) no baffles. Fuge tank 2 baffles.

BigCountry74 · 05/17/2012, 12:12 PM

Be sure to save some room underneith for an ATO system also. I manually replaced evap water for the first few months, then it really got to be a pita. My tank is 135g so for a 220 it would be double the work manually. That's gonna get old hard and fast! haha

I installed an ATO few weeks ago, they are super easy to construct (about 75-80 dollars in parts total):

ArmyScottF · 05/17/2012, 01:02 PM

Country!! This is awesome man!

Im going to pretty much do the exact same thing, think Im going to put a ball valve between sumps along with coming and going...just to be able to cut the water off wherever I need to stop the flow.

I hear ya with the ATO, Im also designing a closet in the laundry room and running a line under the house (crawl space) from where the RO/DI will be....

If you have any more pics man please post them, the more the merrier!!

ArmyScottF · 05/17/2012, 01:04 PM

Last question, what the point in having two holes in the top (overflow box) and bringing them into one before the sump?

Wouldnt that dramatically bring the flow down?

ArmyScottF · 05/17/2012, 01:10 PM

Cant wait to get to the hardware store and get this baby cooking!

BamBam17 · 05/17/2012, 01:29 PM

I'm planning the same exact setup. For a 100 gal using the beananimal overflow (2x 1.5" drain) and return pump around 1500 gph, what size bulkhead between the sumps? 2"...???

ArmyScottF · 05/17/2012, 07:10 PM

My overflow is going to be dual 2" which is rated at 3000gph, I personally dont think I'll have it quite wide open but probably close.

Its looking like Im going to try and do dual 1" bulkheads between the sumps. A true 2" bulk head is $40 compared to $10 for the 1".

I am also going to change up the design that my overflow is to simulate more of beananimals overflow to try and keep it as quite as possible.

husslr187 · 05/17/2012, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArmyScottF

My overflow is going to be dual 2" which is rated at 3000gph, I personally dont think I'll have it quite wide open but probably close.

Its looking like Im going to try and do dual 1" bulkheads between the sumps. A true 2" bulk head is $40 compared to $10 for the 1".

I am also going to change up the design that my overflow is to simulate more of beananimals overflow to try and keep it as quite as possible.

the amount of water in a 2" pipe per foot is way more than two 1" pipes probaby twice as much. so maybe just maybe four 1" bulkheads would work. also if you T-section the drains together you should upsize it to say 2.5". if you dont your duel 2" drains would be wasted since they both have to come out of one 2" outlet which is only rated at 2350gph. if you punch in the numbers on the drain calculator on the front page it says 2.26 minimum for 3000gph. 2.5" is capable of 3650gph

edit: 1" pipe is rated at 590gph which mean you would need 4 or more between, im unsure since it not technically draining and not sure how water pressure would come into effect in this scenario. might as well buy the 2" since there would be no price difference other than hole saw size price

ArmyScottF · 05/18/2012, 10:31 AM

Big Country, what size bulkheads and pipe are you running in the photo shown?

jasimek · 05/18/2012, 08:05 PM

Bigcountry-can you please explain further and in more detail how you did your split sump with the refugium...I currently have a 30 gallon with the return pump on the right hand side...just to th side of this is a bulkhead on the side....if I wanted to use another tank as a refugium, where would my return pump need to be placed? Do I need another pump to move water out of the refugium? Help appreciated...thanks

ArmyScottF · 05/18/2012, 08:47 PM

Jasimek- It looks like the overflow dumps into the first aquarium where the skimmer is located etc. There is a bulk head going from one tank to the other. The second tank has a baffle on either end of the tank. The refugium is between the baffles.

Big Country correct or detail this out some more if I'm off in any way.

05/17/2012, 08:20 AM	#1
ArmyScottF Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 13	Any Good Split Sump ideas out there? I am currently setting up/building a 220g mixed reef system. I have two 35g aquariums sitting in my garage that I would like to use for the sump. Maybe one for the skimmer and one for the refugium. Im just not sure where I should put the bubble traps, and how to plumb the whole setup. Every time I look at it I scratch my head and cant come up with a good plan! Any help would be appreciated!!

05/17/2012, 10:12 AM	#4
BigCountry74 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 1,761	choo choo train! Drill each tank and fuse them together with a xlarge bulkhead. Run the skimmer in the first 35g, then the fuge in the other with a single baffle towards the end of that to house your return pump. You will not need any bubble traps. __________________ 135g mixed reef (retired) http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2132815 Current 40g reef http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2483250 Current Tank Info: 40g bare bottom reef

05/17/2012, 10:59 AM	#8
BigCountry74 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 1,761	if you cut the power off now, how much water (gallons roughly) flows out of your DT before the boxes shut down? that's how much you will need to leave available in your sump. add a small cushion on top of that number also. 220g tank your prob gonna need 20+- gallons of power failure water storage depending on how your overflow boxes are manufactured/configured. so with 70g of total sump, you only need 45g+- of water in it flowing etc. __________________ 135g mixed reef (retired) http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2132815 Current 40g reef http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2483250 Current Tank Info: 40g bare bottom reef

05/17/2012, 11:06 AM	#9
BigCountry74 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 1,761	if this is your first sump, keep it simple and try not to overthink it. the more complex, the more can go wrong hehe __________________ 135g mixed reef (retired) http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2132815 Current 40g reef http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2483250 Current Tank Info: 40g bare bottom reef

05/17/2012, 12:06 PM	#12
St.Pete_Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 251	For my 30 gallon I just bought 2 10 gallon tanks from walmart for $30 shipped. __________________ 34 Gallon Deep Sea Aquatics (DSA) 25 Gallon Drilled Breeder 8 Gallon CAD lights

05/17/2012, 09:21 AM	#2
kagetaro99 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Aurora, IL Posts: 35	I just set up a 75 with my version of a split sump. I had 2 premade sumps and a 20 long sitting around and wanted to get as much water volume as I could. I have my main overflow split with each split leading to one of the premade sumps. I have a ball valve on one of the splits so that I can slow down the flow through one of the sumps and turn it into a fuge. The other I can use for what ever I like down the road. Then both of the premade sumps drain into my 20 long where i have my heaters and such. All ending at my return pump back up to the display.

05/17/2012, 09:29 AM	#3
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	What part has you stumped? What sizes are the tanks and what is the footprint of your skimmer? I would definitely drill the tanks and use bulkheads assuming the glass is not tempered. Are you going to use filter socks? As I imagine it the set-up would drain down into a skimmer section (optional filter socks), then into a refugium section which would likely be split partially into both tank interconnected with two 1-1/2" lines, then your return pump section. You will need to find out how much water volume will flow down into the sump when the return pump is off and be certain you size the return section large enough to handle that water volume plus a little more for emergencies.

05/17/2012, 10:36 AM	#6
ArmyScottF Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 13	Im going to have 2 2" drains coming from the overflows, I assumed I would have one flow to the skimmer tank and one to the fuge tank. I dont want to mess with the socks so that is kinda a mute point. The part that I am stumped about is where should my two overflows go, one to the fuge one to the skimmer like I said or both to the skimmer. The other item that confuses me is the power loss of everything and how to make sure there isnt any way to have a "FLOOD"... My tank is going in my family room on wood floors...my old lady will KILL me if I screw up the floor!!

05/17/2012, 11:17 AM	#10
ArmyScottF Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 13	This is my first everything...and I understand the kiss method, just dont always know how to implement it. I have a 29g biocube that I just love, then this monster (220g) fell into my lap and I figured I would take my time, ask as many questions until Im comfortable, and enjoy the build. Nothing is together yet, I am probably going to put the sumps together this weekend and try and get some water flow (maybe). Other than that... Thank you very much for the the help!

05/17/2012, 11:51 AM	#11
ArmyScottF Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 13	Thinking about what you are saying, I would think that there would need to be a baffle between the fuge and the skimmer also? I wouldnt want the DSB or any critters etc trying to go up stream to the skimmer. Or is the flow going to be to much for any worry with that?

05/17/2012, 12:12 PM	#14
BigCountry74 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 1,761	Be sure to save some room underneith for an ATO system also. I manually replaced evap water for the first few months, then it really got to be a pita. My tank is 135g so for a 220 it would be double the work manually. That's gonna get old hard and fast! haha I installed an ATO few weeks ago, they are super easy to construct (about 75-80 dollars in parts total): __________________ 135g mixed reef (retired) http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2132815 Current 40g reef http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2483250 Current Tank Info: 40g bare bottom reef

05/17/2012, 01:02 PM	#15
ArmyScottF Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 13	Country!! This is awesome man! Im going to pretty much do the exact same thing, think Im going to put a ball valve between sumps along with coming and going...just to be able to cut the water off wherever I need to stop the flow. I hear ya with the ATO, Im also designing a closet in the laundry room and running a line under the house (crawl space) from where the RO/DI will be.... If you have any more pics man please post them, the more the merrier!!

05/17/2012, 01:04 PM	#16
ArmyScottF Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 13	Last question, what the point in having two holes in the top (overflow box) and bringing them into one before the sump? Wouldnt that dramatically bring the flow down?

05/17/2012, 01:10 PM	#17
ArmyScottF Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 13	Cant wait to get to the hardware store and get this baby cooking!

05/17/2012, 01:29 PM	#18
BamBam17 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Mission Viejo, CA Posts: 170	I'm planning the same exact setup. For a 100 gal using the beananimal overflow (2x 1.5" drain) and return pump around 1500 gph, what size bulkhead between the sumps? 2"...???

05/17/2012, 07:10 PM	#19
ArmyScottF Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 13	My overflow is going to be dual 2" which is rated at 3000gph, I personally dont think I'll have it quite wide open but probably close. Its looking like Im going to try and do dual 1" bulkheads between the sumps. A true 2" bulk head is $40 compared to $10 for the 1". I am also going to change up the design that my overflow is to simulate more of beananimals overflow to try and keep it as quite as possible.

05/18/2012, 10:31 AM	#21
ArmyScottF Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 13	Big Country, what size bulkheads and pipe are you running in the photo shown?

05/18/2012, 08:05 PM	#22
jasimek Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Plainfield, Illinois Posts: 692	Bigcountry-can you please explain further and in more detail how you did your split sump with the refugium...I currently have a 30 gallon with the return pump on the right hand side...just to th side of this is a bulkhead on the side....if I wanted to use another tank as a refugium, where would my return pump need to be placed? Do I need another pump to move water out of the refugium? Help appreciated...thanks

05/18/2012, 08:47 PM	#23
ArmyScottF Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 13	Jasimek- It looks like the overflow dumps into the first aquarium where the skimmer is located etc. There is a bulk head going from one tank to the other. The second tank has a baffle on either end of the tank. The refugium is between the baffles. Big Country correct or detail this out some more if I'm off in any way.