DIY 20L Sump Questions

[Milfordguy]

So I've been researching the best DIY 20L sump setup for the past week or so. I've seen just about everyone ends up with a different design at the end of the day. I was hoping I could get some feedback before I pull the trigger on buying my glass baffles.

I've decided on this design for simplicity. My skimmer looks like it will do best in 8" of water so I'm going to have all my first 3 baffles cut to 8". Or maybe get my second baffle cut to 9"?

I'm planning on copying one of Melev's design, but tweaking it slightly. On this link you can see he has eggcrate for about 3/4 of his last baffle. I'm planning on just making my entire last baffle egg crate so having a large fuge/return as my second section.

I've attached a picture below of what I'm planning. Any and all advice would be appreciated. This is my first time ever making a sump so please feel free to criticize!

 

[aguila88psi]

No filter sock?

First section is fine making it 8" high, I would suggest making it a little higherand then put the skimmer on a stand to adjust the hieght just in case future skimmer needs a different height. Also, first section doesn't need three baffles, two is just fine.

So first baffle as high as possible, second baffle to be lower then first baffle but make sure to leave enough room just in case of power outage

Last baffle should not be only eggcrate, loose macro algea will find it's way into the pump. I recomend going with three baffles here, first one is slightly lower then the baffle as before, second to be same hight as the second baffle as the first set of baffles, third to be slightly lower then the first baffle of the second set of baffles. Hope that helps.

 

[Milfordguy]

Yes sorry, the return will drain into a filter sock in the first compartment with the skimmer. I will try and draw a diagram like you described and see if I understand it correctly.

 

[Milfordguy]

This drawing isn't to scale, I just estimated the first baffle being rounghly 9.5"

No filter sock?

First section is fine making it 8" high, I would suggest making it a little higherand then put the skimmer on a stand to adjust the hieght just in case future skimmer needs a different height. Also, first section doesn't need three baffles, two is just fine.

So first baffle as high as possible, second baffle to be lower then first baffle but make sure to leave enough room just in case of power outage

Last baffle should not be only eggcrate, loose macro algea will find it's way into the pump. I recomend going with three baffles here, first one is slightly lower then the baffle as before, second to be same hight as the second baffle as the first set of baffles, third to be slightly lower then the first baffle of the second set of baffles. Hope that helps.

 

[aguila88psi]

First baffle should have a gap on the bottom to let water through and second baffle should touch the bottom, aside from that looks good :thumbsup:

 

[Milfordguy]

Like this? Once again ignoring scale.

 

[aguila88psi]

yep it's a basic sump design, all companies use this design but add little tweaks and extras but it's still the same basic design.

Just make sure to not have the baffles too high to leave room for when the pump turns off. Also, use super glue to temporarily hold the glass while you silicone.

 

[CrazyEyes]

And painters tape so it looks good

 

[listen2bob]

Pretty much how mine is set up, I have first baffle raised to force water under, second is only 4-5" high, followed by a large fuge using the duplex method, then another 4-5" and another raised baffle. My last section has my return pump and my skimmer/reactor pump.
also, I am sockless

 

[MJNTWise]

This is how I did mine....First pic is how it is now and second is the first time I did it

 

[ahub421]

If your trying to hit your skimmers sweet spot on water height don't forget like I did water level will be higher than you bubble gate depending on your return pump (s) gph and the gaps between the gates unless you want the skimmer on a stand.

 

[rogergolf66]

If your trying to hit your skimmers sweet spot on water height don't forget like I did water level will be higher than you bubble gate depending on your return pump (s) gph and the gaps between the gates unless you want the skimmer on a stand.

Yup mine raises 3 inches because I use a large return pump. Also don't forget u can put the skimmer on a stand to make it higher but also don't forget u can only lift it as high as the cabinet it is in.

 

[Milfordguy]

First baffle should have a gap on the bottom to let water through and second baffle should touch the bottom, aside from that looks good :thumbsup:

How high should the gap for the first baffle be? Roughly 1" ?

Also how do you know if you will have enough room in your sump if there is a power outage? Do I need to know this before I can place my baffles?

 

[rogergolf66]

Depends on how much water is moving through. I have 1.5 in

 

[Milfordguy]

How about spacing between the baffes? 1-1.5"

 

[Milfordguy]

Here is an updated picture with the vertical measurements.

 

[Milfordguy]

I was actually told that this wouldn't work and that the water level would be 8" across the entire sump...

 

[CrazyEyes]

Here is an updated picture with the vertical measurements.

Only issue I see with this, the 2nd baffle is 8" high. The 3rd is 7" and the forth is 8". So that 2nd and 4th baffle being at 8" is going to keep the water level at 8" basically making that 7" useless. Why not make the 3rd baffle 8", make the 4th baffles 9.5". That should make sure the water inside the middle section stays at 8".

 

[Milfordguy]

Yeah my diagram before made no sense making that 3rd baffle 7" high. I guess since this is my first time making a sump it is a little hard to visualize.

 

[blackwagon]

First section will be 8", refugium will be 7" high, and return will fluctuate with evaporation. The 4th baffle isn't a water height baffle it just makes the water go down, I think you didn't see the gap he has under it crazyeyes.