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repetitive questions, sorry...(sump design)

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by torino06, Apr 8, 2013.

  1. torino06

    torino06 Inactive User

    40
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    first sorry for another sump design post. ive been going back and forth in my head to decide what would be my best option for what i have right now and this is what i came up with. the footprint of the skimmer takes up just about 11" so that is the smallest i can have that section. i would like to make the refugium and return part larger but i dont think i can... ideally i need atleast 15% of the tank size (72g) for the refug part correct? i will definetely need an ATO as the return section is rather small. the ATO can go in the refug. section correct? anyone have problems with the height of the baffles? i believe i will have enough room to take on water in case of a power outtage. also is it worth having a refug. section that small? i have not bought a heater yet, so depending on the length of it i may have to get 2 smaller ones so they fit. we will see....


    otherwise i make a new stand and get a 40b as a sump! thanks for any suggestions!








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  2. nickbuol Here fishy, fishy, fishy...

    718
    Marion, IA
    Ratings:
    +17 / 0 / -0
    Just some thoughts based off of your questions. The baffle heights do a couple of things. They dictate how deep the water is in each section (I know, obvious right?) so make sure that the skimmer box isn't too deep. I've got a NWB-200 and it likes about 8" of water. Your 150 might be similar and it looks like you are planning on 8" after the 4" stand (which is deceiving due to the 4" stand being not to scale).

    The benefits of the "taller" baffles are:
    More water = more stability in water parameters
    Deeper bubble traps to prevent even more bubbles from sneaking through

    I think that the overall design is ok, but as you mentioned, the return pump area is small. This is the only chamber that you will see the evaporation happen in. The DT will stay full, and the fuge and skimmer boxes will stay full. The water will just drop in the return section.

    An ATO is great anyway, but be prepared to have a good sized reservoir or be refilling the reservoir often. I am using just a 5 gallon bucket (cheap and easy) for my 120 gallon with a 40 gallon sump (which uses about 20 gallons of water when running) and I have to fill the bucket 3 times a week. That is with a sump that is split into just 2 chambers so the return pump has access to about half of the sump's water.
     
  3. MJB Tanks Well-Known ReefKeeper

    309
    Pleasant Hill, IA
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    If you are planning an ATO why not simplify the design to get greater size in the refugium? move the return pump to the end with a short baffle just to keep the crud away from it. With that distance from the skimmer you should be able to get away with only a couple baffles before the refugium and the short one dividing from the refugium.

    Also, given the footprint of the skimmer, you could likely set in in the first chamber and at angle and get it down to 9-10"s or so.

    A million ways to do it...but my first thought:
    http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk254/mnabryant/sump_zpse3756484.png
     
  4. nickbuol Here fishy, fishy, fishy...

    718
    Marion, IA
    Ratings:
    +17 / 0 / -0
    See, I just point out issues, MJB comes with a solution!
     
  5. Fence13 Experienced Reefkeeper

    Des Moines
    Ratings:
    +300 / 1 / -0
    I know some people like lots of internal baffles to stop bubbles, however, I don't have a lot of issues with bubbles from my skimmer, so you may or may not want three baffles dividing the skimmer and return pump. Just a thought. But I would listen to MJB as he's dealt with this a bit more. /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/smile.gif
     
  6. torino06

    torino06 Inactive User

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    thanks for the responses guys.


    i went and fiddled with the skimmer and i bought myself another inch. the guy that had the sump before me actually had everything angled, but it was because he forgot to take off a bit for the silicone.


    MJB, if i do what you are saying will i be getting to much flow thru the refug.? also, wouldnt i now have less capacity in the return section? or am i missing something?
     
  7. MJB Tanks Well-Known ReefKeeper

    309
    Pleasant Hill, IA
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    Well I guess it depends exactly what you are going to put in the refugium. Actually this baffle layout will encourage a majority of the water flow to take place higher up in chamber so the sandbed or whatever you run in there won't be quite as disturbed. Also, assuming you already have the mag 9.5, you could put a valve after the outlet and have a little more control over the flow rate instead of letting it run wide open. For example, if you assume 4ft of headloss puts you at 700 gph (assuming height and plumbing restrictions). If you valve back 25% you'll land around 550 gph or so which would probably work nicely.

    As far as the volume in the return chamber, my illustration has it combined with the refugium so it's really a 2 chamber setup with the little partition by the mag drive keeping the pump area isolated from refugium sand or mud if you use it. So the skimmer chamber height is dictated by the second baffle and everything to the right can vary with evap as one chamber. Use he ATO to manage that level where you want it but you'll be able to keep the depth relatively constant that way.

    Again, just my thoughts on it to maximize your refugium space.

     
  8. torino06

    torino06 Inactive User

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    i was thinking about chaeto and debating about a sand bed.
    i cant believe that you couldn't tell those 2 "things" on my return line were ball valves! time to go back and do some more paint classes! /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/smile.gif all kidding aside, this may be a better idea for me i suppose. i could put a small baffle as you mentioned to separate the return pump and egg crate on top of that to maintain the chaeto.
     
  9. torino06

    torino06 Inactive User

    40
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    i dont think i will use any sand and stick with only chaeto in the fuge section. i just cant decide which design to do...
     

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