First Sump

Raiderwig · 11/03/2009, 01:48 PM

Hello all,

I'm making my First DIY 20gl Sump for my 45 gl tank.
I'm making it a 3 chamber Sump. (Nothing fancy, just a basic sump)

I see that some people have different idea's on how they set up their sumps. So I just looking for a little advice and suggestions.

Chamber 1 for me is going to be water intake from tank.
chamber 2 is going to be where I set up my skimmer.
chamber 3 is going to be my return pump.

So let me know what you think of this set-up?
I see some people have their skimmer in the water intake chamber. Is this a better idea?
I see some people have LR and other stuff in their return-pump chamber as well....

Basically I'm looking for some idea's on how to set up my 3 chambers?

Thx

mdntrdr · 11/03/2009, 01:50 PM

No DSB or fuge?

Jaffer Ali · 11/03/2009, 02:56 PM

Do not for get to have bubble trapper, so tiny little bubble don't be in the main tank !!

Raiderwig · 11/03/2009, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaffer Ali

Do not for get to have bubble trapper, so tiny little bubble don't be in the main tank !!

I have planned for a bubble trap...thx

Raiderwig · 11/03/2009, 03:04 PM

what do you think I should put in the 1st intake compartment? LR or bio-balls?
or should that stuff be in the 2nd compartment? and the first have my protein skimmer?

Raiderwig · 11/03/2009, 03:08 PM

I also wanted to ask what size of a return pump I should use?

mdntrdr · 11/03/2009, 03:09 PM

LR..........return pump determined by siphon rate from tank.

03sonicstang · 11/03/2009, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raiderwig

what do you think I should put in the 1st intake compartment? LR or bio-balls?
or should that stuff be in the 2nd compartment? and the first have my protein skimmer?

Personally, I would have the Skimmer in the 1st compartment, bubble trap, return in the middle and a fuge on the other end. Feed the fuge with a tee and ball valve off the return line. That's what I'm doing. Anyone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong as I'm building my first as well! Good luck!!

mdntrdr · 11/03/2009, 03:12 PM

+1 on the fuge

AFWX · 11/03/2009, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 03sonicstang

Personally, I would have the Skimmer in the 1st compartment, bubble trap, return in the middle and a fuge on the other end. Feed the fuge with a tee and ball valve off the return line. That's what I'm doing. Anyone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong as I'm building my first as well! Good luck!!

If you were to insert the tee and ball valve would you need to adjust the overflow and/or pump rates? i.e. would you need a stronger pump because some of your flow is getting diverted to the fuge?

mdntrdr · 11/03/2009, 03:29 PM

You dont want much flow through your fuge IMO

03sonicstang · 11/03/2009, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdntrdr

You dont want much flow through your fuge IMO

Agreed; just a little will be enough to keep flow thru the fuge

Raiderwig · 11/03/2009, 10:31 PM

Well I was not going to include a fuge. Something I will think about though

torero500 · 11/03/2009, 10:56 PM

I'd put the skimmer in the first chamber, and make the 2nd chamber either a fuge or the return chamber. There is some debate about T'ing off the return line and making the 3rd chamber a fuge, microbubbles being a major concern with making the 3rd chamber a fuge.

If you just have one drain line, then the flow through a 2nd chamber refugium is not going to be too much to cause any ill effect. One drain line can only do 300-500 gph. Make your 3rd chamber a return. But if you're running multiple drain lines, consider branching the return line so you can control the flow in the fuge better.

Raiderwig · 11/03/2009, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by torero500

I'd put the skimmer in the first chamber, and make the 2nd chamber either a fuge or the return chamber. There is some debate about T'ing off the return line and making the 3rd chamber a fuge, microbubbles being a major concern with making the 3rd chamber a fuge.

If you just have one drain line, then the flow through a 2nd chamber refugium is not going to be too much to cause any ill effect. One drain line can only do 300-500 gph. Make your 3rd chamber a return. But if you're running multiple drain lines, consider branching the return line so you can control the flow in the fuge better.

My plan is just one drain line. Now I do have a Emperor 400 HO filter which I was planning on leaving on the tank for my filtration. (But wanted the 3rd chamber in my sump for the option later for maybe a fuge)
I basically just want to bring my HO super skimmer down below the tank (make some room in the tank).
When you say one drain line can only do 300-500 gph, what size of hose are you referring to?

Lps157 · 11/04/2009, 12:51 AM

Not to beat a horse if you've made up your mind, but I would definitely consider a fuge some more. Great thing to have, couldn't imagine my tank without one.

I have a three chamber. First is inlet from tank and sensors, Second is fuge and third is skimmer, ATO and return is external.

ordy1 · 11/04/2009, 07:22 AM

Taken from Melevsreef.com: 20 gallon long with first stage skimmer, second stage fuge, third stage return. Bubble trap at first stage.

This was my first stab at it. I've since replaced the metalic eggcrate (don't know what I was thinking) with an acrylic divider.

patsfan1130 · 11/04/2009, 08:33 AM

1st = skimmer (with bubble traps)
2nd = fuge
3rd = return

jasony816 · 11/04/2009, 09:28 AM

im having problems with my sump, I have the drain in the 1st chamber however it is above water level and making alot of splashes and bubbles, should I extend the drain so that it is below water level to lower the splashes and noise?

Raiderwig · 11/04/2009, 03:10 PM

Just wondering what I would want for my flow rate to be with my sump on my 45gl tank? How many GPH?
thx

Jmatt567 · 11/04/2009, 05:19 PM

What kind of overflow are you using? Make sure that your overflow can easily handle the flow from your return pump into the tank (accounting for head loss).

Raiderwig · 11/04/2009, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jmatt567

What kind of overflow are you using? Make sure that your overflow can easily handle the flow from your return pump into the tank (accounting for head loss).

Well...........I wasn't going to even use a overflow on my tank for my new sump... Just siphon it through a tube set-up (gravity) into the sump. I was going to use 1/2 inch tubing which I researched would equal about a 350 to400gph flow rate...
I am starting to lean towards a fuge....

Raiderwig · 11/05/2009, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raiderwig

Well...........I wasn't going to even use a overflow on my tank for my new sump... Just siphon it through a tube set-up (gravity) into the sump. I was going to use 1/2 inch tubing which I researched would equal about a 350 to400gph flow rate...
I am starting to lean towards a fuge....

Well I've decieded to use a overflow after some more research! My simple DIY sump seems to be getting more complicatied by the minute...Arghhh

11/03/2009, 01:48 PM	#1
Raiderwig Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Toronto Canada Posts: 291	First Sump Hello all, I'm making my First DIY 20gl Sump for my 45 gl tank. I'm making it a 3 chamber Sump. (Nothing fancy, just a basic sump) I see that some people have different idea's on how they set up their sumps. So I just looking for a little advice and suggestions. Chamber 1 for me is going to be water intake from tank. chamber 2 is going to be where I set up my skimmer. chamber 3 is going to be my return pump. So let me know what you think of this set-up? I see some people have their skimmer in the water intake chamber. Is this a better idea? I see some people have LR and other stuff in their return-pump chamber as well.... Basically I'm looking for some idea's on how to set up my 3 chambers? Thx

11/04/2009, 08:33 AM	#18
patsfan1130 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Woburn, Ma Posts: 2,010	1st = skimmer (with bubble traps) 2nd = fuge 3rd = return __________________ My cat's breath smells like cat food Member of the Boston Reefers Society Current Tank Info: 75g lps, 90g sps, 120g mixed, 180 nem tank, 300g reef, 600g up & coming reef

11/03/2009, 01:50 PM	#2
mdntrdr Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 550	No DSB or fuge?

11/03/2009, 02:56 PM	#3
Jaffer Ali Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Kuwait Posts: 19	Do not for get to have bubble trapper, so tiny little bubble don't be in the main tank !!

11/03/2009, 03:04 PM	#5
Raiderwig Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Toronto Canada Posts: 291	what do you think I should put in the 1st intake compartment? LR or bio-balls? or should that stuff be in the 2nd compartment? and the first have my protein skimmer?

11/03/2009, 03:08 PM	#6
Raiderwig Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Toronto Canada Posts: 291	I also wanted to ask what size of a return pump I should use?

11/03/2009, 03:09 PM	#7
mdntrdr Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 550	LR..........return pump determined by siphon rate from tank.

11/03/2009, 03:12 PM	#9
mdntrdr Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 550	+1 on the fuge

11/03/2009, 03:29 PM	#11
mdntrdr Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 550	You dont want much flow through your fuge IMO

11/03/2009, 10:31 PM	#13
Raiderwig Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Toronto Canada Posts: 291	Well I was not going to include a fuge. Something I will think about though

11/03/2009, 10:56 PM	#14
torero500 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 289	I'd put the skimmer in the first chamber, and make the 2nd chamber either a fuge or the return chamber. There is some debate about T'ing off the return line and making the 3rd chamber a fuge, microbubbles being a major concern with making the 3rd chamber a fuge. If you just have one drain line, then the flow through a 2nd chamber refugium is not going to be too much to cause any ill effect. One drain line can only do 300-500 gph. Make your 3rd chamber a return. But if you're running multiple drain lines, consider branching the return line so you can control the flow in the fuge better.

11/04/2009, 12:51 AM	#16
Lps157 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: ABQ Posts: 244	Not to beat a horse if you've made up your mind, but I would definitely consider a fuge some more. Great thing to have, couldn't imagine my tank without one. I have a three chamber. First is inlet from tank and sensors, Second is fuge and third is skimmer, ATO and return is external.

11/04/2009, 07:22 AM	#17
ordy1 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: new jersey Posts: 425	Taken from Melevsreef.com: 20 gallon long with first stage skimmer, second stage fuge, third stage return. Bubble trap at first stage. This was my first stab at it. I've since replaced the metalic eggcrate (don't know what I was thinking) with an acrylic divider.

11/04/2009, 09:28 AM	#19
jasony816 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 171	im having problems with my sump, I have the drain in the 1st chamber however it is above water level and making alot of splashes and bubbles, should I extend the drain so that it is below water level to lower the splashes and noise?

11/04/2009, 03:10 PM	#20
Raiderwig Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Toronto Canada Posts: 291	Just wondering what I would want for my flow rate to be with my sump on my 45gl tank? How many GPH? thx

11/04/2009, 05:19 PM	#21
Jmatt567 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Schenectady, NY Posts: 71	What kind of overflow are you using? Make sure that your overflow can easily handle the flow from your return pump into the tank (accounting for head loss).