Sump Question

pandimus · 03/08/2011, 01:02 PM

Hey Folks.. This is a sump i got from a friend for free. 20 gallons, probably too small for my 125 DT. I was wondering what is the the purpose for the baffles that are not bubble traps. I assume a skimmer goes in that section, but why do they put the baffles all the way to the top with just a crack in the middle?

Oh yeah btw, one more question

whats the advantage/disadvantage of submersible and dry pumps? I assume dry pumps require more plumbing, but if that is not a factor why would one choose one over the other?

thanks all

Johnny

Urchinhead · 03/08/2011, 01:50 PM

First of all that sump is fine for your 125. Its 20% of the total volume of your tank and 10% is the minimum so you are fine.

The center cut baffle is most likely for a refugium. Tee off your return pump so that water goes into that compartment and will the flow back, via that center cut, into the return pump area.

External pump doesn't buy you much more than not adding heat to the tank and higher head height/gallons per hour of pump rate.

aleonn · 03/08/2011, 02:05 PM

For me, an internal pump means less plumbing work, and some leeway in terms of potential leaks. The disadvantage is heat transfer, but I got an energy efficient Water Blaster return pump to help mitigate that.

Your sump size is fine, but personally I prefer as large as I can accomodate under the stand. More water volume would provide more stability to the system, but you should be fine with the 20g.

jeff@zina.com · 03/08/2011, 02:06 PM

The slot is normally covered with a filter pad, that chamber on the right is the return area where your pump sits. Middle on yours is a refugium, of sorts, and the left is your intake from the tank. Your skimmer would normally go on the left. You could modify this by cutting down the baffle on the right a few inches and plugging the slot to provide a deeper refugium.

I dislike those sump designs, but it's free.

Jeff

pandimus · 03/08/2011, 02:15 PM

Hey Jeff what sump design do you prefer? I have been trying to scrounge up a 40 gallon glass for a sump, Had two sofar that fell through. Im gonna keep trying because i prefer to have the extra room for equipment. I will have more than enough room for both under my stand if needed.

03/08/2011, 01:02 PM	#1
pandimus Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Palmdale Posts: 2,556	Sump Question Hey Folks.. This is a sump i got from a friend for free. 20 gallons, probably too small for my 125 DT. I was wondering what is the the purpose for the baffles that are not bubble traps. I assume a skimmer goes in that section, but why do they put the baffles all the way to the top with just a crack in the middle? Oh yeah btw, one more question whats the advantage/disadvantage of submersible and dry pumps? I assume dry pumps require more plumbing, but if that is not a factor why would one choose one over the other? thanks all Johnny

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03/08/2011, 01:50 PM	#2
Urchinhead Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: San Gabriel, California Posts: 681	First of all that sump is fine for your 125. Its 20% of the total volume of your tank and 10% is the minimum so you are fine. The center cut baffle is most likely for a refugium. Tee off your return pump so that water goes into that compartment and will the flow back, via that center cut, into the return pump area. External pump doesn't buy you much more than not adding heat to the tank and higher head height/gallons per hour of pump rate.

03/08/2011, 02:05 PM	#3
aleonn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 4,041	For me, an internal pump means less plumbing work, and some leeway in terms of potential leaks. The disadvantage is heat transfer, but I got an energy efficient Water Blaster return pump to help mitigate that. Your sump size is fine, but personally I prefer as large as I can accomodate under the stand. More water volume would provide more stability to the system, but you should be fine with the 20g.

03/08/2011, 02:06 PM	#4
jeff@zina.com Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 3,345	The slot is normally covered with a filter pad, that chamber on the right is the return area where your pump sits. Middle on yours is a refugium, of sorts, and the left is your intake from the tank. Your skimmer would normally go on the left. You could modify this by cutting down the baffle on the right a few inches and plugging the slot to provide a deeper refugium. I dislike those sump designs, but it's free. Jeff

03/08/2011, 02:15 PM	#5
pandimus Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Palmdale Posts: 2,556	Hey Jeff what sump design do you prefer? I have been trying to scrounge up a 40 gallon glass for a sump, Had two sofar that fell through. Im gonna keep trying because i prefer to have the extra room for equipment. I will have more than enough room for both under my stand if needed.