New Sump Design

Luwe2008 · 09/02/2012, 11:45 AM

Okay, so to start things off, I have a 200 Gallon tank and sump currently setup.
The tank drain is plumbed into the sump and the return to the tank is also plumbed into the sump.
-Now here is the problem: This sump is too small and I want to run a cheato/fuge.
-Here is my idea: I am thinking of adding on another sump which would be substantially larger, around 48"x20"x16"
The old sump would have a pump that pushes water into the new sump and then the new sump would as well have a return pump to the old sump.
Do you guys think this would work?
Here is a picture of how the new sump would look:

How do I figure out what the gph on the pumps should be?

planedoc · 09/02/2012, 12:09 PM

You could never keep the pumps balanced and something would overflow.
Your best bet is use 1 big sump / refuguim or add a seperate fuge but raise it up so it will drain with gravity back into lower sump. I did this on my 75 gallon. I upgraded my return pump 1 size and installed a t in return line to feed fuge. Only raised it 6 inches so it still fit under tank.

Andrew D · 09/02/2012, 09:53 PM

Can't post a picture, but I have 2 sumps that are level, but connected by 2 1.5 inch PVC pipes. The first holds receives the water and holds the skimmer, the second is a type of refugium and holds the return pump. This works for me because my sumps are comparably sized and the return pump is no monster. I think it woudl work regardless though as long as the lines that connect the two are large enough.

09/02/2012, 11:45 AM	#1
Luwe2008 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: California Posts: 751	New Sump Design Okay, so to start things off, I have a 200 Gallon tank and sump currently setup. The tank drain is plumbed into the sump and the return to the tank is also plumbed into the sump. -Now here is the problem: This sump is too small and I want to run a cheato/fuge. -Here is my idea: I am thinking of adding on another sump which would be substantially larger, around 48"x20"x16" The old sump would have a pump that pushes water into the new sump and then the new sump would as well have a return pump to the old sump. Do you guys think this would work? Here is a picture of how the new sump would look: How do I figure out what the gph on the pumps should be?

09/02/2012, 12:09 PM	#2
planedoc Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 535	You could never keep the pumps balanced and something would overflow. Your best bet is use 1 big sump / refuguim or add a seperate fuge but raise it up so it will drain with gravity back into lower sump. I did this on my 75 gallon. I upgraded my return pump 1 size and installed a t in return line to feed fuge. Only raised it 6 inches so it still fit under tank.

09/02/2012, 09:53 PM	#3
Andrew D Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Burlington, Ontario, Canada Posts: 356	Can't post a picture, but I have 2 sumps that are level, but connected by 2 1.5 inch PVC pipes. The first holds receives the water and holds the skimmer, the second is a type of refugium and holds the return pump. This works for me because my sumps are comparably sized and the return pump is no monster. I think it woudl work regardless though as long as the lines that connect the two are large enough.