Sump Design - Which will work better?

sellout007 · 02/01/2007, 11:41 PM

I am going to make my own sump for my 40g stretch Hex tank since I think a 10g is not going to be large enough. So I am debating about two designs.

In this design the water is split between the skimmer section and the refugium section. It will come in where the black circle is. I would put a ball valve on the fuge side wich would give me the option to control the water flow through there. The water would flow through the two red sections. The skimmer section will stay at a constant lvl (10" water lvl) and the fuge will lower with the return section to help with avoiding constant top off every night.

This is more conventional. Water enters at the black hole into the skimmer section (10" water lvl). Flows into the fuge wich will lower with the return section to aid with top off.

In both designs the Skimmer section is 9x9. Fuge sectionis 15x9 and the return is 6"x9. Overall sump dimensiosn are 15"x18"

Thoughts? Suggestions?

alan214 · 02/01/2007, 11:45 PM

I like the 2nd design best, for the reason you mention (more conventional).

STsONpERs · 02/01/2007, 11:54 PM

I am liking number 1....

I like the idea of controlling the refugium water, you dont want to much flow in there, and if you split the retun you can do controll the flow alot easier!

alan214 · 02/02/2007, 12:04 AM

Where would the ball valve for the fuge go in #1?

sellout007 · 02/02/2007, 12:18 AM

It would go inbetween 1" pvc. There would be a T splitting my one drain into each black hole.

alan214 · 02/02/2007, 12:28 AM

So you're talking about potentially throttling back water from the overflow? I'm not sure that's a safe idea. If others are doing it with no problem then it's probably okay.

I'm probably just being a worry wart, but it just sounds like a possible problem in the works to me. I don't think you ever want to impede flow from the overflow, even if there is another path.

reverendmaynard · 02/02/2007, 06:58 AM

I'd go with option 1.

As long as the plumbing after the split is the same size as before the split, you shouldn't have a problem with restricting the flow on one side.

I wouldn't go with the variable water level in the fuge myself. I think you'll have more problems with the contents of the fuge getting into the return section that way. I would use an auto top-off system. For about $50, you can get everything you need. Use kalkwasser for top-off water, and your supplementation needs are taken care of too.

Top-it-off Kit

Get an Aqualifter pump (available from the same site, but cheaper elsewhere I think), and a bucket/trash can and you're all set.

sellout007 · 02/02/2007, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by alan214
So you're talking about potentially throttling back water from the overflow? I'm not sure that's a safe idea. If others are doing it with no problem then it's probably okay.

I'm probably just being a worry wart, but it just sounds like a possible problem in the works to me. I don't think you ever want to impede flow from the overflow, even if there is another path.

I only have one drain and its T'd off, so its not restricting flow. If I close the ball valve, the water would just run out the other side of the T into the skimmer section. No issues there.

Quote:

Originally posted by reverendmaynard
I'd go with option 1.

As long as the plumbing after the split is the same size as before the split, you shouldn't have a problem with restricting the flow on one side.

I wouldn't go with the variable water level in the fuge myself. I think you'll have more problems with the contents of the fuge getting into the return section that way. I would use an auto top-off system. For about $50, you can get everything you need. Use kalkwasser for top-off water, and your supplementation needs are taken care of too.

Top-it-off Kit

Get an Aqualifter pump (available from the same site, but cheaper elsewhere I think), and a bucket/trash can and you're all set.

No room under the stand for an auto top off and I don't want anything visible out of the stand. Its really tight quaters in there. Hence the variable water lvl. I am going to use egg crate to help keep the contents intot he tank. Otherwise If I dont use the variable water lvl, I either wind up with a 1gallon return section and am toping off every day, maybe twice! or a 1 gallon fuge setion which is usless.

alan214 · 02/02/2007, 07:58 AM

Cool. I got it now! Sounds like that may be the better option then.

reverendmaynard · 02/02/2007, 08:59 AM

I understand your reluctance to have anything outside the stand, but do consider either a kitchen type trashcan, a hamper with a trashcan or bucket inside it, or a radiator cover over a trash can or bucket. If you can find something that matches your decor and sits right next to the tank, it won't be obvious that it's even part of the tank. The pump, cords and whatnot should fit inside the stand, all you'd have is an airline-style tube going to the bucket, easily hidden behind it.

IMO, auto-top off is one of the best things I've done for my tank, especially when I go away for business or vacation. Topping off with kalk has also eliminated the need for daily supplementation.

02/01/2007, 11:45 PM	#2
alan214 Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: The Colony, TX Posts: 1,258	I like the 2nd design best, for the reason you mention (more conventional). __________________ I live really close to the airport. The other day I was walking across the living room and the stewardess told me to take my seat. Current Tank Info: 73G FOWLR

02/02/2007, 12:04 AM	#4
alan214 Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: The Colony, TX Posts: 1,258	Where would the ball valve for the fuge go in #1? __________________ I live really close to the airport. The other day I was walking across the living room and the stewardess told me to take my seat. Current Tank Info: 73G FOWLR

02/02/2007, 12:28 AM	#6
alan214 Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: The Colony, TX Posts: 1,258	So you're talking about potentially throttling back water from the overflow? I'm not sure that's a safe idea. If others are doing it with no problem then it's probably okay. I'm probably just being a worry wart, but it just sounds like a possible problem in the works to me. I don't think you ever want to impede flow from the overflow, even if there is another path. __________________ I live really close to the airport. The other day I was walking across the living room and the stewardess told me to take my seat. Current Tank Info: 73G FOWLR

02/02/2007, 06:58 AM	#7
reverendmaynard Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: RI Posts: 1,490	I'd go with option 1. As long as the plumbing after the split is the same size as before the split, you shouldn't have a problem with restricting the flow on one side. I wouldn't go with the variable water level in the fuge myself. I think you'll have more problems with the contents of the fuge getting into the return section that way. I would use an auto top-off system. For about $50, you can get everything you need. Use kalkwasser for top-off water, and your supplementation needs are taken care of too. Top-it-off Kit Get an Aqualifter pump (available from the same site, but cheaper elsewhere I think), and a bucket/trash can and you're all set. __________________ Think for yourself. Question authority. Current Tank Info: 125 gal AGA, setup on 1/1/06; 29 gal seahorse tank, setup 10/21/06

02/02/2007, 07:58 AM	#9
alan214 Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: The Colony, TX Posts: 1,258	Cool. I got it now! Sounds like that may be the better option then. __________________ I live really close to the airport. The other day I was walking across the living room and the stewardess told me to take my seat. Current Tank Info: 73G FOWLR

02/01/2007, 11:41 PM	#1
sellout007 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Plainfield, IL Posts: 4,402	Sump Design - Which will work better? I am going to make my own sump for my 40g stretch Hex tank since I think a 10g is not going to be large enough. So I am debating about two designs. In this design the water is split between the skimmer section and the refugium section. It will come in where the black circle is. I would put a ball valve on the fuge side wich would give me the option to control the water flow through there. The water would flow through the two red sections. The skimmer section will stay at a constant lvl (10" water lvl) and the fuge will lower with the return section to help with avoiding constant top off every night. This is more conventional. Water enters at the black hole into the skimmer section (10" water lvl). Flows into the fuge wich will lower with the return section to aid with top off. In both designs the Skimmer section is 9x9. Fuge sectionis 15x9 and the return is 6"x9. Overall sump dimensiosn are 15"x18" Thoughts? Suggestions?

02/01/2007, 11:54 PM	#3
STsONpERs Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: MN Posts: 395	I am liking number 1.... I like the idea of controlling the refugium water, you dont want to much flow in there, and if you split the retun you can do controll the flow alot easier!

02/02/2007, 12:18 AM	#5
sellout007 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Plainfield, IL Posts: 4,402	It would go inbetween 1" pvc. There would be a T splitting my one drain into each black hole.

02/02/2007, 08:59 AM	#10
reverendmaynard Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: RI Posts: 1,490	I understand your reluctance to have anything outside the stand, but do consider either a kitchen type trashcan, a hamper with a trashcan or bucket inside it, or a radiator cover over a trash can or bucket. If you can find something that matches your decor and sits right next to the tank, it won't be obvious that it's even part of the tank. The pump, cords and whatnot should fit inside the stand, all you'd have is an airline-style tube going to the bucket, easily hidden behind it. IMO, auto-top off is one of the best things I've done for my tank, especially when I go away for business or vacation. Topping off with kalk has also eliminated the need for daily supplementation. __________________ Think for yourself. Question authority. Current Tank Info: 125 gal AGA, setup on 1/1/06; 29 gal seahorse tank, setup 10/21/06