Sump Design, input please

NightShade00013 · 05/01/2007, 11:52 PM

I have a 48 x 12 x 19.5 Glass tank that I will be using as a sump for a 120 gallon tank.

I am planning to run between 500 to 700 GPH through the sump this will give me between 4 to 5.5 turnover of the main tank per hour and will supliment with powerheads.

The skimmer heaters and all other equipment will be on the left hand side of the sump.

I know that the water flow through the refugium has to be a bit slower than that so I am including a small trough that will allow some of the water to bypass this zone.

I also didn't just want the water to flow over the live rock but rather through it so designed it with a semi baffle to direct the water from top to bottom.

All input and suggestions welcome.

xenon · 05/02/2007, 12:05 AM

I would return the water from the sump to the display before the refuge. You only need a tiny bit of flow thru the fuge.

Here is an example of my old sump setup.

NightShade00013 · 05/02/2007, 10:24 AM

Planning to use an external pump and wanted the exit in the final point to keep all air from entering the pump hence the semi bypass over the fuge.

SaltyDr · 05/02/2007, 12:05 PM

I would consider making the return section a bit larger because that is where you will notice evaporation and the smaller the return the more frequent the top offs, unless you are getting an ATO.

Aquarist007 · 05/02/2007, 12:17 PM

You don't need live rock in your sump--keep it in your tank where it is the most beneficial. As for your intake I would but a micron bag over it so I would make sure that section is big enough to take it.
I don't see a protein skimmer in the diagram?

NightShade00013 · 05/02/2007, 12:58 PM

Skimmer and all other equipment will fit in the left hand side, just not drawn in.

I will also have live rock in the tank but want to incorporate some smaller pices as well as a DSB in the sump to increase filtration capacity.

SaltyDr -- Your right I should increase th return area size some, Just keep thinking that a 55 gallon tank is huge for a sump and only left a small amount for the return.

SaltyDr · 05/02/2007, 01:52 PM

I would use a filter sock, not a micron bag where the water enters. Just make sure to clean it regularly. Look in to either Durso standpipes or Stockman Standpipes for your overflow to keep noise to a minimum. I'm making a reverse Durso today on my intake to hopefully make it silent.

NightShade00013 · 05/02/2007, 04:25 PM

Yes, durso's will be a must and already planned. This is about a 6 to 10 month process, Picking things up little by little and figuring out what I want to do. The sump was free just have to reseal it and set it up how I want it. Planned to have the water flow into the small box on the left with water flowing out of it's bottom and the pipe entering just below the water level to help eliminate any noise.

Going to make most of what I can myself, I will have to pick up skimmer lights tank and pumps but a good ammount can be made easily. But taking the slow and steady aproach.

05/01/2007, 11:52 PM	#1
NightShade00013 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Homeless Posts: 197	Sump Design, input please I have a 48 x 12 x 19.5 Glass tank that I will be using as a sump for a 120 gallon tank. I am planning to run between 500 to 700 GPH through the sump this will give me between 4 to 5.5 turnover of the main tank per hour and will supliment with powerheads. The skimmer heaters and all other equipment will be on the left hand side of the sump. I know that the water flow through the refugium has to be a bit slower than that so I am including a small trough that will allow some of the water to bypass this zone. I also didn't just want the water to flow over the live rock but rather through it so designed it with a semi baffle to direct the water from top to bottom. All input and suggestions welcome.

05/02/2007, 12:17 PM	#5
Aquarist007 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hamilton, Canada Posts: 28,240 Blog Entries: 1	You don't need live rock in your sump--keep it in your tank where it is the most beneficial. As for your intake I would but a micron bag over it so I would make sure that section is big enough to take it. I don't see a protein skimmer in the diagram? __________________ I prefer my substrates stirred but not shaken Current Tank Info: 150gal long mixed reef, 90gal sump, 60 gal refugium with 200 lbs live rock

05/02/2007, 12:05 AM	#2
xenon Owner of Canada Corals Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mississauga, Canada Posts: 3,148	I would return the water from the sump to the display before the refuge. You only need a tiny bit of flow thru the fuge. Here is an example of my old sump setup.

05/02/2007, 10:24 AM	#3
NightShade00013 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Homeless Posts: 197	Planning to use an external pump and wanted the exit in the final point to keep all air from entering the pump hence the semi bypass over the fuge.

05/02/2007, 12:05 PM	#4
SaltyDr Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Southwest Florida Posts: 1,191	I would consider making the return section a bit larger because that is where you will notice evaporation and the smaller the return the more frequent the top offs, unless you are getting an ATO.

05/02/2007, 12:58 PM	#6
NightShade00013 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Homeless Posts: 197	Skimmer and all other equipment will fit in the left hand side, just not drawn in. I will also have live rock in the tank but want to incorporate some smaller pices as well as a DSB in the sump to increase filtration capacity. SaltyDr -- Your right I should increase th return area size some, Just keep thinking that a 55 gallon tank is huge for a sump and only left a small amount for the return.

05/02/2007, 01:52 PM	#7
SaltyDr Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Southwest Florida Posts: 1,191	I would use a filter sock, not a micron bag where the water enters. Just make sure to clean it regularly. Look in to either Durso standpipes or Stockman Standpipes for your overflow to keep noise to a minimum. I'm making a reverse Durso today on my intake to hopefully make it silent.

05/02/2007, 04:25 PM	#8
NightShade00013 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Homeless Posts: 197	Yes, durso's will be a must and already planned. This is about a 6 to 10 month process, Picking things up little by little and figuring out what I want to do. The sump was free just have to reseal it and set it up how I want it. Planned to have the water flow into the small box on the left with water flowing out of it's bottom and the pipe entering just below the water level to help eliminate any noise. Going to make most of what I can myself, I will have to pick up skimmer lights tank and pumps but a good ammount can be made easily. But taking the slow and steady aproach.