Planing a DIY sump

[erikncyndi]

I am planing on making a sump and adding a skimmer for my 135. and I have two questions. The tank has an overflow system so that will obviously drain into a tank below. First of all how big do you recomend that my tank be at the bottom to prevent flodding in the event of a power failure. and secondly does it really make a differance if my skimmer is in the sump or next to it. Space is not an issue as the cabinet below is huge. I really want to do it so that the system is overfiltered and done correctly.

[dobejazz]

Come on Plumbing experts !! Need some help here

[jerseyguy1996]

Now I've only done one tank so I am not an expert on it but I do know that the flooding risk doesn't come from the water coming from the overflow. The flooding risk comes from the water syphoning out backwards through your pump when the power goes off. You can fix this by drilling a hole in your return pipe just below the water line in the display. This will cause it to suck air and break the syphon as soon as the water level drops to the level of the hole. Just make sure that the sump isn't filled all the way to the top. Leave enough room so that when the power goes out the remaining water in the overflow and return pipes doesn't overflow the sump.

[trea]

I will try to help. I think for a tank that size you may want to go with anywhere from 30 to 50 gallons. I think one of those most important things to test to help prevent any flooding is to keep to keep your return line(s) high, near the water line. When your sump is filled to your desired level, which will probably be determined by the height of your lowest baffles, which in turn will probably decided on the depth of water that your skimmer needs to work in. Cut the power off to the return pump sending water to the main tank. And watch how much water drains back into the sump from the return lines and left over water in the overflow pipe. The amount of water that comes back will let you know how much water your sump can hold without water coming back. That original water line in the sump should be marked and never crossed when replacing water after evapoaration. If you do cross it and the power goes out, you run the risk of overflowing your sump.

As far as sump placement, I run mine insump. I am not sure, but I imagine if you run the skimmer to the side, then you would have to find a way to get the water drained from the overflow to the skimmer and for the skimmer to return the skimmed (treated) water to the sump and back to the return section. IMO it might be easier to run it in sump. You would probably want to go with a 50 gallon sump to have enough space to house a big skimmer and have nice size return area.

[trea]

Originally Posted by jerseyguy1996

Now I've only done one tank so I am not an expert on it but I do know that the flooding risk doesn't come from the water coming from the overflow. The flooding risk comes from the water syphoning out backwards through your pump when the power goes off. You can fix this by drilling a hole in your return pipe just below the water line in the display. This will cause it to suck air and break the syphon as soon as the water level drops to the level of the hole. Just make sure that the sump isn't filled all the way to the top. Leave enough room so that when the power goes out the remaining water in the overflow and return pipes doesn't overflow the sump.

Exactly. I wasn't able to drill a hole for my return, but what I did what position the nozzle in such a way that it is close to the water line and the mouth is pointed up on 45 degree angle. As soon as one corner of the nozzle tastes air is starts shutting down.

[Fly Guy]

Originally Posted by erikncyndi

I am planing on making a sump and adding a skimmer for my 135. and I have two questions. The tank has an overflow system so that will obviously drain into a tank below. First of all how big do you recomend that my tank be at the bottom to prevent flodding in the event of a power failure. and secondly does it really make a differance if my skimmer is in the sump or next to it. Space is not an issue as the cabinet below is huge. I really want to do it so that the system is overfiltered and done correctly.

Does your tank already have a overflow in it?? If i recall, you just picked up a reef ready tank.......i could be wrong though.

If it isnt drilled with a overflow box are you going ot install one, or just planning on drilling the back of the tank for the overflow?. Most tanks are tempered on the bottom and you cannot drill a hole in the bottom unless the hole was drilled before being tempered. If this is the case, you can still do it, but the hole needs drilled into the back of the tank. I recommend drilling it for a 1.5" bulkhead for your tank size. This should handle way more than your return pump. Oversize is good.

If you are not planning a refugium in your sump the sump config should be: drain-skimmer(both of these in the same section)-baffles-return pump.

Your return pump should be roughly matched to your skimmer. The goal is to only process as much water through your sump as your skimmer can process, this way as little unskimmed water makes it badk to the tank as possible.

Everything already said about setting it up so it wont backsiphon the entire tank is accurate. You just need to have enough water capacity in the sump to deal with the water that WILL backsiphon until it breaks from either the holes you drill in the line or the return ports themselves.

[leveldrummer]

Originally Posted by trea

I will try to help. I think for a tank that size you may want to go with anywhere from 30 to 50 gallons. I think one of those most important things to test to help prevent any flooding is to keep to keep your return line(s) high, near the water line. When your sump is filled to your desired level, which will probably be determined by the height of your lowest baffles, which in turn will probably decided on the depth of water that your skimmer needs to work in. Cut the power off to the return pump sending water to the main tank. And watch how much water drains back into the sump from the return lines and left over water in the overflow pipe. The amount of water that comes back will let you know how much water your sump can hold without water coming back. That original water line in the sump should be marked and never crossed when replacing water after evapoaration. If you do cross it and the power goes out, you run the risk of overflowing your sump.

As far as sump placement, I run mine insump. I am not sure, but I imagine if you run the skimmer to the side, then you would have to find a way to get the water drained from the overflow to the skimmer and for the skimmer to return the skimmed (treated) water to the sump and back to the return section. IMO it might be easier to run it in sump. You would probably want to go with a 50 gallon sump to have enough space to house a big skimmer and have nice size return area.

good job trea! you really learned your stuff when you did yours.


only thing i can add, is bigger is better with a sump, its much better to have more room to work, putting your skimmer in sump is the best idea, if the collection cup ever over flows (alot of skimmers have a habit of just going crazy every now and then) it will flow right back into your sump, instead of the bottom of your stand, and then stinkin up your entire house. (skimmate stinks like sewage) figure out your skimmer size, and plan a sump around it, for just a simple sump, what flyguy said is all you need. 2 compartments seperated by a set of three baffles that act as a bubble trap. some people set the baffles in over under over design, thats my favorite anyway. first baffle about 9 inches high, second baffle about 2 inches off the bottom, 3rd baffle about 8 and 1/2 inches.

[trea]

Originally Posted by leveldrummer

good job trea! you really learned your stuff when you did yours.


only thing i can add, is bigger is better with a sump, its much better to have more room to work, putting your skimmer in sump is the best idea, if the collection cup ever over flows (alot of skimmers have a habit of just going crazy every now and then) it will flow right back into your sump, instead of the bottom of your stand, and then stinkin up your entire house. (skimmate stinks like sewage) figure out your skimmer size, and plan a sump around it, for just a simple sump, what flyguy said is all you need. 2 compartments seperated by a set of three baffles that act as a bubble trap. some people set the baffles in over under over design, thats my favorite anyway. first baffle about 9 inches high, second baffle about 2 inches off the bottom, 3rd baffle about 8 and 1/2 inches.

Thanks, Andy. Yeah, I should have learned something as much as I worried you and everybody under sun about the DIY

[leveldrummer]

Originally Posted by trea

Thanks, Andy. Yeah, I should have learned something as much as I worried you and everybody under sun about the DIY

nah, you werent any problem at all man, just glad you returned the favor, help others when you can

im sure you realize now just how easy it was too huh?

[erikncyndi]

Thanks alot folks. Now I know how to do it right.