Custom Sump for 125 Gallon

[ponokareefer]

I was wondering if there is a free software program to help design a custom sump for my 125 gallon tank? The current sump I have is too small and not doing its job.

Also, I could use a hand planning it. All I know is my current sump sucks. My sump will fit directly under my tank and the dimensions inside my stand are 46 inches long, 22 inches wide. My overflow is in the centre of the tank. I only have 2 holes in the overflow and switching to a Herbie overflow, so will run a plumbing line behind the tank and over the back for the return. I am hoping to set up a refugium in the sump.

What I was thinking was running my drains to the right, have the water run through filter socks and then to my skimmer. My skimmer operation is just okay, so could go with a new one as well. From what I understand, the refugium should go next, then to the return compartment of the sump. I believe I will need baffles between the skimmer and refugium sections, and the refugium and return sections, but not sure on how many, spacing and height.

 

[Mrramsey]

Custom Sump for 125 Gallon

I would use a 40b for the sump.
I start with some simple volume calculations to determine the optimal size for the return pump. A well balanced sump running water level and a properly sized return chamber can prevent a flooded DT in the event the drains get clogged.

My preference on the design is a center return with the drains and skimmer on one side the the fuge on the other. Tee off of the return line to supply the fuge with flow.

For reference this is my 55g sump on my 120

 

[uncleof6]

A 40 breeder will not fit under a 125. The 125 has an 18" front to back dimension, and so does the 40 breeder. Simply put, you need a shoe horn to get it under a narrow tank.

I would be looking at this exactly opposite: The 55 under the 125, (it will fit, sorta) and the 40 breeder (or 50 breeder) under a 120. But I would not use such a skinny tank for a sump, and the 55 is not the greatest fit under a 120 (both 48" long.) Custom sizing a sump for a 125 would end up with a ~14" - 15" front to back dimension... and under a 120 the sump would wind up ~ 20" - 21". Just to keep my reputation intact, I would use the 125 for a flowerpot, before I would use it for a marine system.. (The entire class of tanks (55, 75, 125, 175, etc, = flowerpots/freshwater systems; 40, 60, 80, 120, 150, 180, etc. marine systems. 100 is too tall for the width...)

Sumps should be very simple and straightforward. You only need 4 baffles (bubble trap + 1 more baffle.) You don't need fancy construction techniques or sock holders (socks/mechanical filtration merely frustrate the effort to reduce dissolved organics in the system.) If using a submersible pump, there is no need to punch any holes in the sump at all. If you use a good drain system, and adjust the skimmer properly, you only need two baffles. Basically it makes the need for modelling software design, a bit off the hook... but it can come in handy if you need to shoe horn a sump in.

There are a plethora of fancy sumps out there, with a fancy price tags as well, but they really accomplish little above what a basic 4 baffle sump will accomplish.

This is a simple 40 breeder sump, done with sketchup, and sketchup is the software you would probably want to use to model your sump.

 

[ponokareefer]

My 125 is a custom tank, 48 inches long, 25 inches wide and 24 inches high.

Thanks for the diagram Mrramsey. That looks like what I am looking for. Would a separate pump in the return chamber to put water into the refugium work rather than teeing off the return line?

 

[ponokareefer]

I've also decided against filter socks after considering their pros and cons. My section for the water coming into the sump then can be very narrow and water level nearly to the top. Is there any issues with going with the section like that?

 

[Mrramsey]

Custom Sump for 125 Gallon

I suppose you could put another pump in there but that just adds to the complexity along with extra heat. I wanted the socks and the way I have it I can run it with or without them. Pop them as needed.

The only reason I did the 55 was because I had it already. They are a bit too tall for a sump. The extra height for volume is nice but I can't put an external collection cup on my skimmer as an example.

 

[uncleof6]

I've also decided against filter socks after considering their pros and cons. My section for the water coming into the sump then can be very narrow and water level nearly to the top. Is there any issues with going with the section like that?

Couple of things. 1st, you don't really need a seperate section for water entering the sump. It is really just unnecessary complications. 2nd, filling any of the sections to near full, is a bit counter productive, since sumps should only run around half full. This ensures adequate room for power out drain down. Also, if you drop from near full to around 10" give or take for the skimmer section, it will be a bit noisy.

Drop your drains into the skimmer section.

 

[ponokareefer]

Couple of things. 1st, you don't really need a seperate section for water entering the sump. It is really just unnecessary complications. 2nd, filling any of the sections to near full, is a bit counter productive, since sumps should only run around half full. This ensures adequate room for power out drain down. Also, if you drop from near full to around 10" give or take for the skimmer section, it will be a bit noisy.

Drop your drains into the skimmer section.

Thanks for the advice.

After doing a lot of searches on skimmers, I think I'm going to switch to a Tunze 9011 skimmer. This will make it so that I can have the level in the sump where the skimmer is at any level as the Tunze attaches to the glass. This will eliminate a separate skimmer section and can just put it in where the return section. Plus, the Tunze 9011 is tiny, so takes up very little space.

With the extra space, I am also considering a section for a bunch of live rock. How do you avoid dietrus building up in live rock in the sump though, a powerhead?

 

[reefermad619]

Live rock in sump + uncle = :deadhorse1:

:lmao:

 

[uncleof6]

Live rock in sump + uncle = :deadhorse1:

:lmao:

HEY!!! I resemble that remark....

Incidently, OP: what do you expect the non-live live rock in the sump to do? Produce nitrates, just like bio-balls?

 

[Mrramsey]

BTW: you asked for a software program. I use nanocad... It's free and rivals autocad. For 3d there is sketchup though they changed the name of the free version now and I can't recall what it was.