starting my build, sump questions before I start.

[odie]

Stand built pretty standard looking. 125 long all-glass(72 inches) with corner megaflows, Sunpod 150 MH x3, will be adding some T-5's. Aqua C Pro with a Mag 5(?), Eheim 1250 laying around for a possible pump for return. Not big enough?

OK I am finally getting around to building my first sump for my 125 gallon. I have a 37 gallon (36inches long) tank laying around I am going to try to use. I have a friend who is helping with the construction but this will his first with dual overflows.

I have alot of questions but my most immediate ones are.

Is this big enough? My tank has two corner megflows. Will I run these into a "Y" or separately to the sump? With they meet at the same place in the sump?? Will the pump be large enough.

[schmnr]

As for if the sump is big enough, I think it should be large enough, but that really depends on what you plan on keeping in the sump. Will your skimmer, pump, any bio-ball chamber, macro algae, live rock, whatever else you might want to keep down there fit? As for the 2 megaflows, i would have them enter the sump at the same place, hopefully over a drip plate if you can make one. The pump question kind of depends on how many GPH it pumps at the hight of your return. If you have tall tank and stand you will need a bigger pump, but i normally try to have the entire tank volume turned over 7 time per hour.

[hansmatt]

the 1250 is pretty small...though I like to have a slow flow through the sump (personally) and rely upon powerheads for circulation, I think you'd be better off with a 1260, or even a 1262. The Eheims are fantastic, but the step up in flow from the 1250 to the 1260 is notable.

[schneijt]

Agreed. The 1250 with head loss and such will barely pump any water up to your tank when it's all said and done. I think you'll want a bigger return pump. Sorry, I know that means more money, but you'll want a 1260 or better yet, even a 1262.

-Joe

[firsthesitation]

Definitely the 1262.

As to where your overflows will drop, it depends on how you decide to have the sump laid out and what sections youre running. (IE Skimmer->Fuge->Return or whatever) Do you have a sketch up or something? I guess considering I've currently got a 30 and will be putting a 40 under my 75 I'd like to see you with a bigger sump but I don't see a reason why it wouldnt work for ya. Just so long as you have enough room for the back siphon in the case of a power outage.

[Jrmass]

Personally I would say that your sump is going to be too small for your needs. Once you take into concideration your water your skimmer (minimal I know) the water in your return lines, your overflow lines, and any other things you may have running that require water to be direct injected you are going to find it very difficult to maintain a proper water level at running and in the event where the power goes out to prevent a flood.

I know that you and I are on a slightly different scale (not that extremely different though) and I have a 75 gallon tank that where when my power goes out I typically have about 15 gallons or so of water that needs a place to go (just giving you an idea what you might be up against)
my $0.02

Jason

[odie]

Wondering if maybe a 55 gallon would be more appropriate. I have one and I cn fit it under the stand but it will never be able to be taken out once it is in. Agree??

If using a 55 gallon would it make sense to have the overflows to drain to opposite ends of the 55 gallon. In other words left overflow flows into far left of sump into a skimmer area and right overflow flows to far right of sump into a refugium(a big one!!) and the flow thru the sump moving towards the middle for the return, mybe with a ball valve on the refugium side? Or stick with the classic flow from one end to the other?

[hansmatt]

I have my single overflow split to feed skimmer side and fuge side. You don't want too much flow through the fuge, but with a center return it works for me. Just make sure to have a divider to ensure constant skimmer water level, as the level in your return sectin (center) will vary with evaporation.

[carym]

The 55 would probably be a better choice, as long as you have the room. Make sure you draw out what you want to do before you start so you can visually see what it might look like.

[firsthesitation]

55 would definitely be better, just make sure you save yourself enough room that you can get stuff in and out of it. You can always clean the sump with it in the stand but if you cant get your collection cup out easily (like is my case) you will be quickly annoyed.

Wonder if there's a way that you can get the bulkheads together to equalize pressure then split back into seperate sides. I guess right now I'm running this config (Skimmer->Fuge->Return) with it dumping mainly into my skimmer section and flowing through. But I hate it.....its annoying cause you can't control the Fuge like Matt said. Wonder what would happen if you put ball valves on both returns and ran one wide open and the other part way open for the fuge and just dumped them into the prospective sides of the sump?

[odie]

Another option is I have alot of smaller tanks available. 20high, 20long, 29, 37 and 55 that has fresh in it but can be emptied. Money is a factor at this point and would love to use what I have. What about running 2 tanks, having an overflow flow each tank?? Have 20 for a fuge and a 37 for a skimmer or viceversa?

[firsthesitation]

I've seen a lot of guys use that configuration. put in a bulkhead with a guard on it so the algae doesnt get in there and have that connected to the return. That wouldnt be a bad plan either if you're pinching pennies. Just dont crack it while you're drilling. Or dont let Zach do it for you. haha. :P

[tangmang23]

id just save the trouble and go with the 55gallon. make the far left side for the skimmer, center for return and far right for a fuge, youd have plenty of room for placing a critter or two in there before going to the DT or whatever.

[reefer.madness]

I was planning to use a 30 long for my sump on the 120gal. I did get my hands on a 55 and am happy I did. Once I got up and running, I realized the 30 would have been too small. I had to change a ball valve and the 55 held the water from the display tank with plenty of room to spare. I run a Mag18 for return and need to dial it down just a bit to keep even with the overflow.
When I was planning the sump, I even posted hand drawn designs on here. Plenty of assistance there. Good luck and keep us posted...

[odie]

crap!! The way my stand is I dont think I would have room to work if I put a 55 in it for a sump. It is a lack of height that is an issue. Might consider a 33 long