Sump question

[buhumphrey]

I have a 93.5 gal tank 36"L x 24"W x 25"T and I am going to be using a 20 gal Tall tank 24"Lx12"Wx17"T as a sump. I only want 2 sections skimmer and return. I figured I will need room for 7.5 gal incase of power outtage. What would be the best baffle size and configuration to achieve this? Any help will be greatly appreciated!

Thank you,
Fred H.

[marioensf]

I think it will be the water level recommended by the skimmer manufacturer that would dictate the baffles, check the specs on the skimmer, can't you fit a bigger sump like a regular 29/30?

[Playa-1]

I personally would change the plan and use the 20 as a QT and get a larger tank for the sump/fuge.

[GTriever]

40 long would be a good size if you have room (48x12x17)

[buhumphrey]

The stand is only 36x24 but with the supports and nailers it cuts that space significantly, something I wasn't considering! I had planned on using a 29 gal but once I was told I need to add an ATO it changed everything because the only way I can get 2 tanks in the stand is to go down to 24" long tanks.
Any other ideas?

[buhumphrey]

from what I've read online the suggested optimal depth for my skimmer is 8 inches. I thought I could put 1 8" baffle on the bottom for skimmer water to come over and 12" baffle raised off the bottom for the return side. I was hoping the 12" inch baffle would stop any water coming back during a power outtage from going to the skimmer side. If I am wrong please explain, I am new to this and totally confused!

Thank you

Originally posted by marioensf
I think it will be the water level recommended by the skimmer manufacturer that would dictate the baffles, check the specs on the skimmer, can't you fit a bigger sump like a regular 29/30?

[192clark]

It does not matter if a baffle is 12" if it is raised off of bottom it will raise water level in skimmer compartment

[texhorns98]

Originally posted by 192clark
It does not matter if a baffle is 12" if it is raised off of bottom it will raise water level in skimmer compartment

I think he's talking about having an 8 inch baffle to "seal off" the skimmer side. Water would flow over the 8 inch baffle, and then under the 12 inch.

I think you might want to have the 8 inch baffle section off your skimmer and then run two more baffles after that. One larger one mounted up off the bottom, and then a final 8 inch one also mounted on the bottom. I've been looking at a lot o sump designs and this seems to be how the bubble trap is designed.

Also, I'm looking to install a sump myself and have limited cabinet space. All I have gathered from people is that bigger is better, but if it allows you to add gear like a skimmer, any size is better than none! I'm doing an 18 gallon Reubbermaid, myself. I just can't figure out how mount the baffles!

[Jason Donohoe]

I am using a 20 tall for my skimmer and return section. The centre baffle is aprox 1 1/2 inches from the rim and stands 1" off the bottom. The 1'rst and 3'rd baffles are the same height and are spaced 1" (1 1/2 on centre) from the centre baffle. I have the skimmer on a platform so it is at the correct depth but maximizes the water height. There is enough room in the return section to accomodate the water returning from the lines when the power is turned off.

[DevilBoy]

i would also recommend to add a few baffles between the sump and return section to reduce micro bubbles. i think with just the 2 sections you would get alot of micro bubbles to return back to your main display tank.

here is the final drawing for my sump which was made. the only thing it does not have shown is the probe holders in the return section. from left to right you have the drain/skimmer section, bubble traps, then return section. the section in back is my refugium section that holds my RDSB, live rock rubble,chaeto and heaters. from the fuge area it drains back into the main sump area thru the slotted teeth of the refugium.

[Playa-1]

I think you should look into remotely locating the ATO tank and/or the sump/fuge. By the time you allow for your 7.5 gallons of back-flow that your estimating, you can only set your water level in that little tank at 10". So If your going to use the 20gal then just use one baffle in the middle set at 8", Or install the traditional 3 baffle bubble trap set at 8", 9" and 8" leaving the center baffle 1" off the bottom and spacing the baffles at 1" apart. . The 8" is the best water level for the skimmer and it gives you a couple of inches for miscalculation on your estimated back-flow during a power outage.

[spleify]

Baffle height should not be determined by the skimmer, you can build a riser as tall as you need to get the skimmer at the appropriate height.

I do agree that you should go as big as you possibly can, and would also suggest having baffles in it to help eliminate some micro bubbles.

If you make the baffles 8" tall this will only give you 9.9 gal, and you will have 11.2 gal of room for drainage from the tank. This hardly seems right.

HTH

Spleify

[Playa-1]

Originally posted by spleify
Baffle height should not be determined by the skimmer, you can build a riser as tall as you need to get the skimmer at the appropriate height.

I do agree that you should go as big as you possibly can, and would also suggest having baffles in it to help eliminate some micro bubbles.

If you make the baffles 8" tall this will only give you 9.9 gal, and you will have 11.2 gal of room for drainage from the tank. This hardly seems right.

HTH

Spleify

It's not worth screwing with for a 2" skimmer stand. Each inch is about 1.25 gallons so if you add the extra 2 inches it gives you a whopping 2.5 gallons and puts your sump at a fraction of an inch of overflowing when the power is off. That's too close for comfort if you ask me.

I would question how he arrived at the 7.5 gallons of backflow and if that is accurate. This obviously plays an important role in how you set up your sump.

[buhumphrey]

Unfortunately I am locked into this size sump for the time being. I really don't have any room for anything outside the tank the tank is in the livingroom and the wife would kill me if I have a sump or ATO located outside the stand.

Thanx again for all the help,
Fred H.

[Jason Donohoe]

7.5 gallons sounds like a huge amount of backflow. If your return is close to the surface and/or you drill holes in your return line just below the surface the backflow with a power out should not be more than a few gallons. I would consider losing the ATO and using the space for a refugium. Your sump will accomodate a moderate amount of evaporation loss (2-3 days) and topping off regularly with r/o water or kalk is not a big job.

[buhumphrey]

I came up with the 7.5 gal by using the calculator on this site. I like the way you think tho I would rather go back to just 1 tank underneath if I can exchange these tanks again I will go with the 29 gal and do the sump/fuge like originally planned and maybe just get a smaller bucket or rectangular plastic can for the ATO.

Originally posted by jason.donohoe
7.5 gallons sounds like a huge amount of backflow. If your return is close to the surface and/or you drill holes in your return line just below the surface the backflow with a power out should not be more than a few gallons. I would consider losing the ATO and using the space for a refugium. Your sump will accomodate a moderate amount of evaporation loss (2-3 days) and topping off regularly with r/o water or kalk is not a big job.

[Jason Donohoe]

Are you putting the sump under an existing tank or starting new? If you can drop the sump in from the top I would you the biggest single tank you can and put in baffles to separate the sections. I only have 2 tanks because I had to fit them in through the front doors.