Hello tucaon reefers. I purchased a 125 gallon glass used aquarium and im currently builsing it up. I am having trouble with my sump. I have a spare 30 gallon glass aquarium will this work for a 125 gallon sump refugium? I tried a 55 gallon which was to tall and 40 is to wide. Any suggestions? Im new to the hobby.
125 gallon sump
- Thread starter ggreene66
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Holyassasin
New member
Should be good enough! I run a 20 gallon sump on my 40B
aquaph8
Love The Fish
30 gallon is pretty standard for a 125 because of how skinny the tank is from front to back. Most important thing IMO opinion is, first that its setup to not overflow in the event of a power outage and second, it has the baffles setup for the correct water level for your skimmer.
aquaph8
Love The Fish
Your returns will dictate how much water is gonna back siphon to the sump when power is shut off, they'll keep siphoning until the pipe comes out of the water and air gets sucked in. I hope that makes sense? The water level for the skimmer will be suggested by the manufacturer, maybe a google seach or thread in the equipment forum can help you there. Remember the water will run about an inch higher than your baffle.
Newsalth2o
New member
The thing about sumps and baffles is you can create different levels of water within your sump by how you baffle it. The first chamber in my sump is set for the skimmer pump level the second level is the pumping level. Overall there is about 4" difference from running level to surge level. It takes a few tests to find these levels but allow about 2" above your surge level for a margin of safety. In other words with all pumps stopped and the display overflow neutral and the pump backflow neutral and the sump neutral there is still about 2" from the top of your sump. I would rather loose some water volume in the system than have any on the floor. I think anyone will tell you after you decide on a design, build your sump, run it for a few months you'll know better how you want to build your next one. That's just how it really goes. Welcome to reefing....
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CReyes350
Member
Ive had that scare before lol
CReyes350
Member
Also, if you are getting glass cut to build your sump- make sure you buy the thicker glass (I think its a 1/4" but I'm not 100% sure what I bought) so the water pressure doesn't break the glass. I always get my glass from National Glass and I take my tank along so they can fit it accordingly.
1/4" sounds right...that's what I have in mine.
Newsalth2o
New member
I built mine from 1/4" plexiglass and used silicone I as the adhesive. Be generous with the silicone and make sure your surfaces are chemically clean.
Thank you all for the great advice. You guys really teach me and help alot. As far as building my sump i plan on taking it to my lfs and having them install baffles and help get my sump just the way i need it. I will definitely take your advice about leaving enough room for back siphoning. Could i just have my returns about an inch higher than my water level to prevent the back siphon? In addition to the siphon break on my drain line? Im guessing this will allow the absolute least backflow into my sump.
Also when i bought this aquarium it came with two 48" VHO lights. My question is will these work for growing beginner corals? Ive been doing alot of reading about the different light systems, but from what i understand about vho is their fine but they also produce alot of heat thus raising the temp of your water. What lights would you guys prefer for a beginner like me to grow beginner corals in a 125? Im thinking t5 since they dont produce much heat and work great from wht i read.
CReyes350
Member
The way I deal with back syphoning is by splitting my return lines. In other words, I have two outlets on each return line.
I put a flare tip on the first outlet and left it right at the water's surface. This outlet gives me water agitation on the surface and will quickly break the syphon in case the power goes off.
Then other outlet off of the same return is longer and delivers water deeper into the system.
As you may already know, each setup is different so you just gotta see what you like and what the system's needs are and go from there.
I put a flare tip on the first outlet and left it right at the water's surface. This outlet gives me water agitation on the surface and will quickly break the syphon in case the power goes off.
Then other outlet off of the same return is longer and delivers water deeper into the system.
As you may already know, each setup is different so you just gotta see what you like and what the system's needs are and go from there.
Newsalth2o
New member
As soon as air is introduced to the pipe the siphon will break. That is why the hole on the bottom of the pipe just below the water level. The water squirts down into the tank but will break the siphon quickly as the level goes below the pipe. I live on the edge I depend on a flapper check valve to stop my backflow.
