Different way design of sump/fuge

[Billy1205]

Hi, I got a question with my sump/fuge design. Eventually, my design for the sump/fuge is like those "classic design" which water flow through the fuge (DSB) then go into the return pump. However, after I discussed with LFS, he advise me to use the design as show on above. He said, water should flow through the DSB in order for it to de-nitrate the water instead of pass through the top of the DSB. It is because water with high concentration of nitrate doesn't have enough time to contact with DSB to de-nitrate the water as it will eventually flow back to the return pump. Could anyone advise on this design?

[Auston]

I feel like you would not get the water to move through the dsb fast enough to feed your return. Am I missing another route of flow?

[shifty51008]

A dsb gets rid of nitrates because of the low oxygen levels, in order yo get enough flow through your sand to get to the return pump is defeating the purpose of a dsb

[Billy1205]

Yea, there is another route which is empty space which allow most of the water to flow through and go to the return pump. As shown on attachment. Do you think this kind of design work to reduce nitrate. Based on my knowledge, to de-nitrate it actually need lack of oxygen in DSB but using this design, it will push oxygen into the DSB. What do you think?

[Cosmojo]

Those are pretty different sketches. Why don't you draw it out on a piece of paper for exactly what you want it to look like, because right now, it seems like we are having a bit of a guessing game.

[Billy1205]

Originally Posted by Cosmojo

Those are pretty different sketches. Why don't you draw it out on a piece of paper for exactly what you want it to look like, because right now, it seems like we are having a bit of a guessing game.

Sorry for rising the confusion. The first draw is front view of the sump, and the second draw is top view of the sump, so you can clearly see the second chamber is actually divide into two, one is for DSB and the other is empty space for most of the water flow through the return pump. I combine both of the draw into a piece of paper for better understanding.

[Aframomum]

Why not devote a separate tank for you fuge that way you can control the flow of water through that tank separate from the sump?

Mark

[Billy1205]

Originally Posted by Aframomum

Why not devote a separate tank for you fuge that way you can control the flow of water through that tank separate from the sump?

Mark

It is a very good idea, however due to limited space, I only can combine both.

[Ron Reefman]

Different idea for by-pass. Forget the open by-pass in your design. Install a big bulkhead at either end of the DSB section, put a pvc pipe with a gate valve between the bulkheads and not only do you have a by-pass, you have a bigger DSB and control of the flow. BTW, there is no big problem with letting water flow over the DSB, just don't stir the sand up... ever!

I even put an led light over my DSB and use it as a overflow coral storage if my frag tank is full or if I have a new coral for my DT and no room until I get around to doing some rearranging. It works great. BTW, between a 45g refugium and 45g DSB (8" deep) I have zero nitrates and phosphates so low I never have algae issues and I'm a heavy feeder.