Adding a sump to my 29g

[cnreef]

I've been running my 29g for almost a year now and finally have everything together for the sump, so I want to make sure everything sounds good beforehand.

20g long sump, drain/skimmer section then fuge/return section
Glass-holes 700gph overflow kit
Reef Octopus NWB 150 skimmer
Eheim 1260 return pump - possibly adding a valve to redirect some flow back to fuge if return flow is too high
1 return line drilled on side of tank pointing toward back to eliminate dead spots behind rock work

I also have a brs dual reactor I'm not sure where to place yet.

Any feedback is appreciated as this is my first time DIY

 

[rwb500]

ugh i definitely wouldn't drill the return line into the side of the tank - ugly!

your sump only has 2 sections? you will want to separate your fuge and your return area. if you start growing stuff in there, you don't want it sucked into the pump. also you dont want algae growing all over your return pump.


last thing - if you think your return pump will have excess flow, create a manifold and use some of that flow to run your BRS reactors. If you need more flow from a 1260 you can easily mod it and turn it into a 1262, so i would definitely use it to power your reactors.

 

[moondoggy4]

I would say that the skimmer is oversized, how bout using the 110 model.

 

[cnreef]

ugh i definitely wouldn't drill the return line into the side of the tank - ugly!

your sump only has 2 sections? you will want to separate your fuge and your return area. if you start growing stuff in there, you don't want it sucked into the pump. also you dont want algae growing all over your return pump.


last thing - if you think your return pump will have excess flow, create a manifold and use some of that flow to run your BRS reactors. If you need more flow from a 1260 you can easily mod it and turn it into a 1262, so i would definitely use it to power your reactors.

Well the return will be separated from the fuge by a 4 inch high baffle to prevent sand going in if I decide to add any. There will also be egg crate silicones to the top of that small baffle to prevent chaeto from entering the return line.

And I think I will add a T to the return line so I can tune down the return to the tank and use the excess to run through the reactor back into the fuge.

 

[cnreef]

I would say that the skimmer is oversized, how bout using the 110 model.

Yeah it's oversized but I figure it will work for the better because I plan on upgrading to a 75g in about a year or so

 

[ReachTheSky]

Hmm... speaking from personal experience (and many others experiences I've read about), buying something unfit for your current tank because of a planned upgrade is generally not a good idea. Someone or something could throw a monkey wrench into your plan and next thing you know, you're stuck with a vastly overpowered skimmer. I'd suggest the smaller skimmer. If and when you do upgrade, you can easily sell it here and get a proper one for your next tank.

 

[cnreef]

Hmm okay, what are the negative implications of having a skimmer rated higher than your tank size? Thanks for all the input.

Edit: It appears the topic of over-skimming can be a touchy subject, I've found a few threads on reefcentral and will do some research on it. Thanks!