Designing a sump

[danzada]

Hello,
I need help in desgining a sump unit to my saltwater aquarium.
The size of the sump should be 55 cm (around 21 inches).
I want the sump to have mechanical filteration, biological filter (live rocks or bio balls), the heater and 2 pumps - 1 for returning the water back and one for the protein skimmer (the protein skimmer will be near the sump and not in it).

How would you recommend me to design the sump to it will be efficiant?
Feel free to draw me something, everything will help

Thanks,
Dan.

[bella d]

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[bella d]

sorry, it won't let me post a link until i have 20 posts....

[bella d]

Welcome! These vids are a good place to start...

http://video.google.co.uk/videosearch?q=sump+design&hl=en&emb=0&aq=f#q=reef+sump&hl=en&emb=0

http://video.google.co.uk/videosearch?q=sump+design&hl=en&emb=0&aq=f#q=sump+design&hl=en&emb=0&aq=f&start=10

[firsthesitation]

When you do it make sure you leave enough room in your return section, its always the first tu run out of water.

[danzada]

Thanks for all your notes.
Based on what I have seen and read, I desgined the attached sump.
As you can see, the water are going thru mechanicl filteration, then Bio Balls box, then protein skimmer and finally go up again.

What do you think?

Thanks,
Dan.

[motorslave]

Is this for a reef? Here's my take on a sump.
The extra rock and mechanical filtration isn't really needed and is more to clean and maintain. The rock in the tank will provide the biological filtration needed and a good strong skimmer will do the rest coupled with regular water changes and good husbandry habits.
Water enters sump on one end. The pump for the skimmer would pul from this end also. Then, the water would pass through a series of three vertical baffles in an over-under over order, spaced about 1 1/2" apart in order to prevent bubbles from getting to the return pump and being pumped to the tank. On the other side of the baffles would be the return pump. Its simple and extremely effective. If you want mechanical filtration use a filter sock on the drain from the tank or place a bag of carbon in between the baffles. The skimmer would dump inot the first chamber berfore the baffles. This will work very very well. Mechanical filtration is un needed and creates much ore work than needed. It can also create water quality problems if not kept up with regulalry. Just my thoughts....

[Loverotties]

What type of tank FO?FOWLR?REEF?

[danzada]

Water enters sump on one end. The pump for the skimmer would pul from this end also. Then, the water would pass through a series of three vertical baffles in an over-under over order, spaced about 1 1/2" apart in order to prevent bubbles from getting to the return pump and being pumped to the tank. On the other side of the baffles would be the return pump. Its simple and extremely effective. If you want mechanical filtration use a filter sock on the drain from the tank or place a bag of carbon in between the baffles. The skimmer would dump inot the first chamber berfore the baffles. This will work very very well

Thanks !
I didnt understand what are these 3 vertical baffles should contain?
Are these just empty cells? what should i put in them? how high they should be (each one)?

[danzada]

Originally Posted by Loverotties

What type of tank FO?FOWLR?REEF?

currently it's FOWLR, maybe later I will add few soft corals.
I want to be prepare...

Thanks.

[tman23]

So the "over, under, over" helps keep bubbles down?
Is it generally the smart way to go?
anything else it helps with?

[motorslave]

The baffles are to prevent bubbles from being pumped into the isplay tank. I also use them to place a bag a carbon once on a while. The will also help maintain the water level in the first chamber of the sump if you have n in sump skimmer this is needed.

[danzada]

Originally Posted by motorslave

The baffles are to prevent bubbles from being pumped into the isplay tank. I also use them to place a bag a carbon once on a while. The will also help maintain the water level in the first chamber of the sump if you have n in sump skimmer this is needed.

Thanks !

Let me make sure i understood correctly.
These 3 chambers will empty most of the time, and they will be created from plate with lots of holes in it (2 plates for each chamber).

Correct? can you please draw mw something or maybe take a picture of your sump?

Thank you !!!
Dan.

[motorslave]

No, the water flows over the first baffle, under the second and over the third on its way to the return pump. Ill get a pic of mine....