Designing a sump

[danzada]

I think i got it (I can not attach picture due to forum limitation...).

How high should the 2 "over" be? in the same hight as the bio balls chamber or little bit lower?

Thanks you very much, it really help me

Dan.

[motorslave]

Batteries are dead in the camera. Here's a link to a pic from my build thread. The baffles are behind the yellow pump. They are vertical pieces of glass siliconed into the sump. The middle one does not touch the bottom allowing the water to flow under it. The water moves from right to left.
http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/at...7&d=1215215042

[danzada]

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[motorslave]

Yeah, thats how the baffle should be. I still don't recommend the bio-balls though. They can create issues because they collect detritus.

[Staplesofficewar]

Why should the baffles be over - under - over? I am designing my sump now with an under - over - under setup. Since bubbles want to go up, they would have to down or be down to get under the first baffle. Then the second baffle makes them all go up, and the third and final baffle forces the water down and the bubbles get stuck. Just make sure you have a wide enough return area or the flow through the baffles will just suck the bubbles with them.

[ScruffyRubicon]

Here is probably the best link I have come across for this type of thing:

http://www.melevsreef.com/allmysumps.html

[drew1092]

I too am building my first sorta DIY sump with a 20 gallon long (this is for a 29 gallon reef build). I found some useful videos on utube, very easy to follow. My question is, for a 29 gallon how long should the first section of sump be? I assume you want enough dwell time for the skimmer to do its job. In this section I also plan on having my heater in this section (good idea??). How much room should you leave for the return pump chamber?

One more question, do you suggest drilling the sump tank for drain hose and return? Seems easier not to but maybe this isnt best. I will be using an overflow skimmer box on my tank to drain because the tank is already set up. Thanks for the help!

[chrisd]

Originally Posted by drew1092

I too am building my first sorta DIY sump with a 20 gallon long (this is for a 29 gallon reef build). I found some useful videos on utube, very easy to follow. My question is, for a 29 gallon how long should the first section of sump be? I assume you want enough dwell time for the skimmer to do its job. In this section I also plan on having my heater in this section (good idea??). How much room should you leave for the return pump chamber?

One more question, do you suggest drilling the sump tank for drain hose and return? Seems easier not to but maybe this isnt best. I will be using an overflow skimmer box on my tank to drain because the tank is already set up. Thanks for the help!

i would say half the tank would be fine for the skimmer section.
if you plan on using an insump return pump no need to drill the sump tank. thats the best place for your heater the chamber will never run dry

[drew1092]

I've heard different tips for sump. Some say deep sand bed, others bare bottom. Some say xtra LR, others say it traps dirt. Any thoughts? Sand beds or LR? Also I had extra live sand from my build I would use. I dried it out in a bucket. Is it still viable sand? Or should I toss it? Thanks