Help Me Choose A Sump Layout! AGA 180

[drummereef]

Going to be upgrading to an AGA 180 soon. Need help picking a sump layout.

The sump will be a custom acrylic design (60x18x16). The return pump is a Pan World 150PS (MD55R) Rated at 1100gph. 1" MPT in/out.

AGA specs: Two 1" drains and Two 3/4" return bulkheads.


What sump design would you choose and why? What size plumbing would you use for the drain line and return from the pump?

 

[mikedege]

I vote 2... I always like to have the fuge seperate.

good luck, Mike

 

[drummereef]

^^^

 

[atvdave]

#2 looks the best to me.

It's good to have your return goto your fuge, your skimmer may remove some stuff your fuge might need.

 

[bamann345]

#2

 

[gusman4]

i have mine set up as your 1st pic shows and have had nothing but good things to say about it. in the section where the drain lines come in i have live rock. In my refugium i have mud, caulerpa, mysis, a few different pods, worms and other things. in the last bubble trap i have coral skeletons before it goes to the return pumps. i do have two pumps instead of one for the return lines which gets rid of the T fitting on the return line and add a little redundancy.

 

[gusman4]

oh and my skimmer is in the return camber too.

 

[sjm817]

I like #1. I like the return as far away from the source of bubbles (drain and skimmer) as possible. The fuge, the distance and the bubble trap near the return will all help to ensure no bubbles make it to the display.

 

[drummereef]

Great ideas everybody! Keep 'em coming.

 

[msuzuki126]

#2 with filter socks on each drain end and you'll never have to worry about bubbles.

 

[drummereef]

^^^

 

[portugee]

I'd go with #3

I currently have #1 and the if you ever clean of disturb the fuge crap goes everywhere.

I like the big particulates filtered out before entering the fuge, keeps it much cleaner. So no on #2

Go #3 , and place a filter sock on the drain.

 

[drummereef]

Can any of you post some pics of your sumps? I'm especially interested in seeing the #2 idea in action.

 

[GuySmilie]

Build #2 -- but with #3's return bypass valve output assembly dumping into the refugium. Work fine-last long time.
Guy

 

[drummereef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9396100#post9396100 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GuySmilie
Build #2 -- but with #3's return bypass valve output assembly dumping into the refugium. Work fine-last long time.
Guy

Is this the way yours is set up? Can we see a pic of it?

 

[MplsMan]

#2 is the exact way i have my sump set up with 1 big filter sock to filter the junk from the drains, with the filter sock it stops any micro bubles, you also don't want to skim the water that would go through the refugium, because you'll suck any pods and other critters into the skimmer, IMO i would go with #2.

 

[GuySmilie]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9396109#post9396109 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by drummereef
Is this the way yours is set up? Can we see a pic of it?

Mine is not set up right now, but when it is, it will be this way.
Guy

 

[drummereef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9448081#post9448081 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GuySmilie
Mine is not set up right now, but when it is, it will be this way.
Guy

Is the reason for this so you don't have to dial back the return flow, you just direct it back to the fuge for more circulation?

 

[ghostrida3]

I like 2 b/c u can control how much flow is sent to the refugium. How large are u making this?

 

[drummereef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9452223#post9452223 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ghostrida3
How large are u making this?

Probably 60x18x16 made out of 3/8" acrylic.