reefman5511
New member
Anyone have a 45 gal RR cube? Just bought one & I'm trying to find out how much excess space I'll need in the sump in case of a power outage/pump shut down.
45 gallon RR cube
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jacksonpt
New member
Fill the tank up, let it drain into the sump. Keep filling until the sump is full. Turn everything on - skimmer, return, etc. The water level in your sump should go down, how much will depend on how much plumbing you have. Let it run for a few minutes, then mark the water level in your sump - that's your MAX operating level. Run the system with more water in the sump and you'll flood if the power goes out.
reefman5511
New member
I'll be building a custom sump since the stand is 22 x 22 on the inside. I've already determined the operating level in the sump to be around 7 inches. I need to determine how much extra space in the sump to allow for water that will drain from the tank when I need to shut off the return pump for maintenance or in case of a power outage.
jacksonpt
New member
Ah, gotcha.
There are ways to estimate, but I'm never comfortable with estimates. The way to be certain is to measure the volume of water the tank can hold ABOVE the weir, then leave that much volume empty in the sump.
Is the tank footprint 24x24? So for the sake of this example, lets' say there are 2" from the weir to the top of the tank. 24x24x2 = 5 gallons. So you need to leave room for 5 gallons of water.
There are ways to estimate, but I'm never comfortable with estimates. The way to be certain is to measure the volume of water the tank can hold ABOVE the weir, then leave that much volume empty in the sump.
Is the tank footprint 24x24? So for the sake of this example, lets' say there are 2" from the weir to the top of the tank. 24x24x2 = 5 gallons. So you need to leave room for 5 gallons of water.
reefman5511
New member
Foot print is 24 x 24. I'm just not certain if to figure from the bottom of the weir or from the bottom of where the Durso pipe is at.
jacksonpt
New member
You can figure from the durso intake if you want, but all you really care about there is the volume of water inside the overflow from the durso intake up, and most of that volume will be accounted for if you calculate from the weir. If your durso is significantly lower than the weir, then you can figure that if you want to REALLY be sure. As a side note, if your durso is signifcantly lower than the weir, you're likely to get a lot of splashing noise as the water falls over the weir into the overflow.
did that make any sense? it was a lot easier to explain in my head, lol.
did that make any sense? it was a lot easier to explain in my head, lol.
reefman5511
New member
Got it. Clear as mud! :hmm3: :lmao:
jacksonpt
New member
Forgive the crude drawings - was going for quick and dirty...
You've got a 24x24x12 tank with an overflow, right?
If you calculate the volume from the weir to the top of the tank, you're calculating the volume shown in yellow. This will guarantee that any water in the tank above the weir will drain into the sump without flood. But it doesn't account for water in the overflow, as you mentioned.
If you calculate from the durso intake to the top of the tank, you're calculating this area, which is more than you need to account for. Will it work and guarantee no floods, yes. But if space in your stand is a concern as it is for most, it's not a terribly efficient use of space because your sump will be much bigger than it needs to be. This may be a non-issue if the durso intake isn't significantly lower than the weir.
What you need to do is calculate the volume from the weir to the top of the tank PLUS the volume from the durso intake to the weir. That will guarantee you no floods and still allow you to make the most of your space under the tank.
Does that help?
You've got a 24x24x12 tank with an overflow, right?
If you calculate the volume from the weir to the top of the tank, you're calculating the volume shown in yellow. This will guarantee that any water in the tank above the weir will drain into the sump without flood. But it doesn't account for water in the overflow, as you mentioned.
If you calculate from the durso intake to the top of the tank, you're calculating this area, which is more than you need to account for. Will it work and guarantee no floods, yes. But if space in your stand is a concern as it is for most, it's not a terribly efficient use of space because your sump will be much bigger than it needs to be. This may be a non-issue if the durso intake isn't significantly lower than the weir.
What you need to do is calculate the volume from the weir to the top of the tank PLUS the volume from the durso intake to the weir. That will guarantee you no floods and still allow you to make the most of your space under the tank.
Does that help?
reefman5511
New member
Great drawings! I pretty much understood where you were coming from earlier. I'm hoping I don't have to figure on drawing #2 since that's about 15 gallons + what I need for the skimmer & return pump. Given the fact that I'm looking at a 22" x 12" footprint the height of the sump would need to be somewhere around 22 inches to handle everything (7" for the skimmer + a lttle over 13" to handle the 15 gal + safety factor). Hopefully drawing #3 is what it will be.
Looks like I just may have to fill it to find out for sure. Rather be safe than sorry. Was hoping that someone knew for sure.
Looks like I just may have to fill it to find out for sure. Rather be safe than sorry. Was hoping that someone knew for sure.
jacksonpt
New member
Can water enter the overflow box somehow OTHER than by going over the weir? Some have slits cut towards the bottom and also draw water from down low.
If not, then water that is lower than the weir couldn't get into the overflow, thus couldn't get into the sump, so there would be no reason to go by pic #3. There is no reason to think about water below the weir.
If not, then water that is lower than the weir couldn't get into the overflow, thus couldn't get into the sump, so there would be no reason to go by pic #3. There is no reason to think about water below the weir.
