Please help with 29g sump design..

NanoGurl · 04/09/2007, 10:05 PM

Okay, I need to make a sump out of my 29g. Need help please I am missing something here and confused.

The tank is 30" long x 12" wide x 18" high.

Running a ASM G3 skimmer. Footpring 11" x 12".

Now what? lol.

First section that the MegaFlow drains into will be where the skimmer goes. I have been told that 8" to 11" is okay height for that compartment.

So I make that compartment 11" high.

Then comes the bubble trap.

What I need to know is, how high do I make the middle compartment if that's the refuge, and then how high do I make the third compartment that's the return pump?

I don't understand what would make the evap drain out of the 3rd compartment as opposed to the middle compartment if they are the same height.

Please any help would be nice.

drummereef · 04/09/2007, 10:07 PM

Here's a nice idea for one. The 'updated' one is the one to check out.

http://www.melevsreef.com/acrylics/sumps/glass/

NanoGurl · 04/09/2007, 10:22 PM

Thanks. I'm still confused about the height of each baffle though?

drummereef · 04/09/2007, 10:36 PM

The baffles can be at any height you desire. But, you have to remember to leave enough room for overflow in case of power failure. A general rule of thumb is 8-10", but also depends on the height of the tank used for the sump. Here's a link to more info:

http://www.melevsreef.com/make_a_sump.html

NanoGurl · 04/09/2007, 10:50 PM

If I make the first baffle for my skimmer 12", would I make the other baffles 12" as well? I know the trap one goes 1" higher, but I don't understand how to make the return section evaporate before the fuge and skimmer section?

Great link btw, thank you!

Fish'InMN · 04/09/2007, 10:53 PM

Everything you've ever wanted to know about 29g sumps can be found in the following threads... (alright, they're not all-inclusive, but it certainly gets the job done)
- DIY: 29g Sump w/baffles
- DIY: 29g Sump w/baffles
- DIY: 29g Sump

To summarize:
+ 11" bubble trap baffles (with one raised 2" off the bottom of the tank)
+ Refugium baffle depends on your preference. I chose to make a short baffle (4" tall) and put eggcrate on top, so the last compartment has both the 'refugium' and the return pump, which means evaporation has a smaller impact on water level. The eggcrate is also a good place to house probes and float valves. (Dirty sump shots here!)
+ Try to fit a 30g if you can! The added 6 inches in length will increase the room you have for the 'refugium' or the return pump.

Cheers,
Marty

drummereef · 04/09/2007, 11:03 PM

It's very hard to visualize, but the skimmer and fuge sections are 'static' water volumes. Meaning they don't change (much). There is flow-through, but not the fluxuations up and down. The return section is the 'active' section of the sump that will fluxuate some from evaporation. If you set the baffles up as described on Melev's site, or like the tutorials above, then you shouldn't have a problem. Belive me, I sat for hours trying to figure out the same thing.

NanoGurl · 04/10/2007, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Fish'InMN
Everything you've ever wanted to know about 29g sumps can be found in the following threads... (alright, they're not all-inclusive, but it certainly gets the job done)
- DIY: 29g Sump w/baffles
- DIY: 29g Sump w/baffles
- DIY: 29g Sump

To summarize:
+ 11" bubble trap baffles (with one raised 2" off the bottom of the tank)
+ Refugium baffle depends on your preference. I chose to make a short baffle (4" tall) and put eggcrate on top, so the last compartment has both the 'refugium' and the return pump, which means evaporation has a smaller impact on water level. The eggcrate is also a good place to house probes and float valves. (Dirty sump shots here!)
+ Try to fit a 30g if you can! The added 6 inches in length will increase the room you have for the 'refugium' or the return pump.

Cheers,
Marty

Thank you so much for your info!

BTW, I'm on a mission from god!

NanoGurl · 04/10/2007, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by drummereef
It's very hard to visualize, but the skimmer and fuge sections are 'static' water volumes. Meaning they don't change (much). There is flow-through, but not the fluxuations up and down. The return section is the 'active' section of the sump that will fluxuate some from evaporation. If you set the baffles up as described on Melev's site, or like the tutorials above, then you shouldn't have a problem. Belive me, I sat for hours trying to figure out the same thing.

lol... thanks again. I give up.

drummereef · 04/10/2007, 12:32 AM

Nooooooo! It's not that hard, don't give up. You've probably already spend countless hours on his site, but here's the holy grail link for everything sump. You'll get there.

http://www.melevsreef.com/links.html

The Blues Brothers is a classic, btw.

NanoGurl · 04/10/2007, 12:47 AM

Yessssssss! Okay, I figured out enough to make it work, but it's going to suck so bad! lol.

Thanks for the link!

Yea, I can't believe they did a BB2 and ruined the whoe coolness factor.

drummereef · 04/10/2007, 12:49 AM

Good, glad to hear it.

Yeah, there is no match for the original that's for sure.

NanoGurl · 04/10/2007, 01:36 AM

yup!

04/09/2007, 10:05 PM	#1
NanoGurl Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Earth Posts: 4,306	Please help with 29g sump design.. Okay, I need to make a sump out of my 29g. Need help please I am missing something here and confused. The tank is 30" long x 12" wide x 18" high. Running a ASM G3 skimmer. Footpring 11" x 12". Now what? lol. First section that the MegaFlow drains into will be where the skimmer goes. I have been told that 8" to 11" is okay height for that compartment. So I make that compartment 11" high. Then comes the bubble trap. What I need to know is, how high do I make the middle compartment if that's the refuge, and then how high do I make the third compartment that's the return pump? I don't understand what would make the evap drain out of the 3rd compartment as opposed to the middle compartment if they are the same height. Please any help would be nice.

04/09/2007, 10:07 PM	#2
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	Here's a nice idea for one. The 'updated' one is the one to check out. http://www.melevsreef.com/acrylics/sumps/glass/ __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system

04/09/2007, 10:36 PM	#4
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	The baffles can be at any height you desire. But, you have to remember to leave enough room for overflow in case of power failure. A general rule of thumb is 8-10", but also depends on the height of the tank used for the sump. Here's a link to more info: http://www.melevsreef.com/make_a_sump.html __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system

04/09/2007, 11:03 PM	#7
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	It's very hard to visualize, but the skimmer and fuge sections are 'static' water volumes. Meaning they don't change (much). There is flow-through, but not the fluxuations up and down. The return section is the 'active' section of the sump that will fluxuate some from evaporation. If you set the baffles up as described on Melev's site, or like the tutorials above, then you shouldn't have a problem. Belive me, I sat for hours trying to figure out the same thing. __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system

04/10/2007, 12:32 AM	#10
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	Nooooooo! It's not that hard, don't give up. You've probably already spend countless hours on his site, but here's the holy grail link for everything sump. You'll get there. http://www.melevsreef.com/links.html The Blues Brothers is a classic, btw. __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system

04/09/2007, 10:22 PM	#3
NanoGurl Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Earth Posts: 4,306	Thanks. I'm still confused about the height of each baffle though?

04/09/2007, 10:50 PM	#5
NanoGurl Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Earth Posts: 4,306	If I make the first baffle for my skimmer 12", would I make the other baffles 12" as well? I know the trap one goes 1" higher, but I don't understand how to make the return section evaporate before the fuge and skimmer section? Great link btw, thank you!

04/09/2007, 10:53 PM	#6
Fish'InMN Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: MN Posts: 398	Everything you've ever wanted to know about 29g sumps can be found in the following threads... (alright, they're not all-inclusive, but it certainly gets the job done) - DIY: 29g Sump w/baffles - DIY: 29g Sump w/baffles - DIY: 29g Sump To summarize: + 11" bubble trap baffles (with one raised 2" off the bottom of the tank) + Refugium baffle depends on your preference. I chose to make a short baffle (4" tall) and put eggcrate on top, so the last compartment has both the 'refugium' and the return pump, which means evaporation has a smaller impact on water level. The eggcrate is also a good place to house probes and float valves. (Dirty sump shots here!) + Try to fit a 30g if you can! The added 6 inches in length will increase the room you have for the 'refugium' or the return pump. Cheers, Marty

04/10/2007, 12:47 AM	#11
NanoGurl Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Earth Posts: 4,306	Yessssssss! Okay, I figured out enough to make it work, but it's going to suck so bad! lol. Thanks for the link! Yea, I can't believe they did a BB2 and ruined the whoe coolness factor.

04/10/2007, 12:49 AM	#12
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	Good, glad to hear it. Yeah, there is no match for the original that's for sure. __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system

04/10/2007, 01:36 AM	#13
NanoGurl Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Earth Posts: 4,306	yup!