Sump Thoughts

pwest · 03-26-2006, 12:12 PM

Before embarking on my barebottom/rock cooking endeavor, I had *lots* of liverock in my 150 display tank, and a 3 compartment (plus several over/under baffles to inhibit microbubbles) sump with a fuge. When I put my LR back in, I'm considering putting only the best pieces in the display tank and putting all the rest in the sump. If I do this, I'll replace my compartmentalized sump with a simple rectangular tank. Here are my questions:

If I fill the sump (approximately 35g) with LR should I raise the rocks off the bottom? This should allow/encourage a laminar water flow along the bottom sump to inhibit detritus buildup--but is this necessary or desirable?

Will filling the sump with LR reduce or eliminate the microbubble problem that I had with my original sump before I added the baffles? If so, would this still be true if I elevate the rocks off the bottom?

(I've got two 800 gph pumps doing circulation, and my skimmer (MR-2) is mounted outside the sump with an Iwaki 55)

-Phil

Wiskey · 03-26-2006, 02:32 PM

I would not put LR in your sump, you want your sump to be a setteling area, so heaver deatris that the skimmer does not get ends up setteling on the bottom rather than flying around the tank. If you put LR in there it will get over loaded very quickly and nothing will be able to settle properly.

HTH,
Whiskey

doody · 03-27-2006, 09:15 AM

I hear people useing the term "settleing area" in sumps. Do you have to design your sump differently to create this are or is it just a normal sump with baffels?

pwest · 03-27-2006, 11:39 AM

That's a good question: maybe I could have both a settling area plus a place for LR.

-Phil

doody · 03-27-2006, 11:55 AM

Pwest, I would think that if you did use LR in the sump, you'd have to consistantly clean it off weather it was in a settleing compartment or not. You don't want anything to trap detrious.

doody · 03-28-2006, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doody

I hear people useing the term "settleing area" in sumps. Do you have to design your sump differently to create this are or is it just a normal sump with baffels?

Anyone?

NoSchwag · 03-28-2006, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doody

Anyone?

Crap settles in the last area of my sump. This is my "settling area." But if your skimmer is doing it's job, then there shouldn't be much settling.

Let's put it this way, I have cleaned my sump once since setting it up 4 months ago and it is still pretty clean (can take a pic if you want ).

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...hlight=breeder

Wiskey · 03-28-2006, 11:06 PM

A settling area is just a section of the sump that does not have water blasting into it so the heavy deatris can fall out and settle on the bottom. This is a section without a skimmer return, or the tank draining into it. My settling area ended up being the big section where my return pump sits.

HTH,
Whiskey

doody · 03-30-2006, 06:42 AM

So there's no extra modification? It's just a regular sump with the normal bubble traps?

Viv · 03-31-2006, 03:25 PM

How big does a settling area need to be? Are there any rules, or is it a matter of preference?

Wiskey · 04-01-2006, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doody

So there's no extra modification? It's just a regular sump with the normal bubble traps?

Yes, if you want it to be. Just some people leave a run for deatris to drop out. I will go see if I can find an example.

Whiskey

Wiskey · 04-01-2006, 01:22 PM

Ok, found something, this picture was taken from GregT's buildup thread, great thread btw, read it if you find the time.

Now you can see to the left there is the area where the skimmer pulls/returns. On the right you see the return to the tank. In the middle there is just an open space where water runs through, that is the settling area. It is a low flow area where heavy deatris can drop out and settle to the bottom of the tank for later syphoning.

HTH,
Whiskey

doody · 04-01-2006, 05:08 PM

Thanks man. Now I get it.