Is this going to work?

gburton · 11/03/2006, 02:41 PM

This is probably a pretty basic question but one that I am stuck on. I am getting my 75 gal. up and running but I have run into a little snafu. I have a sump under the tank. The sump has 2 chambers, one large and one small. There are 2 dividers in the sump that allow water to go from one chamber to the other. The drain hose from the tank to the sump goes into the large side. I also have my protein skimmers pump and filter in the smaller chamber. Here are my questions. 1. Can I have the return line and pump also in the large side (both drain and return in large chamber)? 2. How does the skimmer work, will it get enough water by being in the small chamber, can I take the baffel out of the sump to increase the size? Please, any help to these questions would be greatly appreciated.

jgoodrich71 · 11/03/2006, 03:02 PM

I have just a 29 as a sump with no baffles. Most have the baffles to prevent bubbles from getting sucked into the return pump and causing bubbles in the display. I have my return pump located on the oposite end from the overflow drain to remedy this.

Depending on the type of skimmer, it may be advantageous to put it on one side or the other. One that has to drain down (can't have any back pressure) may do better on the same side as the return pump. One that the outflow is above the water line, it may be easier to adjust if it is in the opposite side from the return pump.

I prefer having one large sump without any baffles. This goes against the current practice of having multiple chambers with refugia and the like in the sump. This is just the way I have had mine since I started and it has always worked for me, so I see nno reson to change.

Pinksteel · 11/03/2006, 03:07 PM

If there are baffels divigin the two sides, you may find with both the overflow and the return on the same side there may not be enough circulation in the sump and the water may become a little stagnant. This could also decrease the efficiency of the skimmer. Personally, I always keep them at opposite sides of the sump. THe skimmer will still get enough water to function, but may not skim as much of the system.

11/03/2006, 02:41 PM	#1
gburton Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cascades in Oregon Posts: 134	Is this going to work? This is probably a pretty basic question but one that I am stuck on. I am getting my 75 gal. up and running but I have run into a little snafu. I have a sump under the tank. The sump has 2 chambers, one large and one small. There are 2 dividers in the sump that allow water to go from one chamber to the other. The drain hose from the tank to the sump goes into the large side. I also have my protein skimmers pump and filter in the smaller chamber. Here are my questions. 1. Can I have the return line and pump also in the large side (both drain and return in large chamber)? 2. How does the skimmer work, will it get enough water by being in the small chamber, can I take the baffel out of the sump to increase the size? Please, any help to these questions would be greatly appreciated. __________________ Thanks, GB Remember that Life is short, Play hard Current Tank Info: 75gal, 240w lites, sump, 52lbs LR, 100lbds sand, coralife 125 gal. skimmer, ocean runner 650gph pump, 2 maxijet 1200, turbo, narsarius, bumble bee snails, hermit, emerald crabs, 1 tomato, 1 sebea clown, 1 watchman Gobie.

11/03/2006, 03:02 PM	#2
jgoodrich71 Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Mobile, Alabama Posts: 849	I have just a 29 as a sump with no baffles. Most have the baffles to prevent bubbles from getting sucked into the return pump and causing bubbles in the display. I have my return pump located on the oposite end from the overflow drain to remedy this. Depending on the type of skimmer, it may be advantageous to put it on one side or the other. One that has to drain down (can't have any back pressure) may do better on the same side as the return pump. One that the outflow is above the water line, it may be easier to adjust if it is in the opposite side from the return pump. I prefer having one large sump without any baffles. This goes against the current practice of having multiple chambers with refugia and the like in the sump. This is just the way I have had mine since I started and it has always worked for me, so I see nno reson to change. __________________ "For some reason I can't blow right." ~ crp "By the way Brian, nice colon." ~ Orchids Current Tank Info: 65 gal reef

11/03/2006, 03:07 PM	#3
Pinksteel Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Sudbury, ON Posts: 75	If there are baffels divigin the two sides, you may find with both the overflow and the return on the same side there may not be enough circulation in the sump and the water may become a little stagnant. This could also decrease the efficiency of the skimmer. Personally, I always keep them at opposite sides of the sump. THe skimmer will still get enough water to function, but may not skim as much of the system.