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?

 

[fernandesbe]

I'd go with the second one, thats the way mine is set up and I find it works great. The other options leave a lot of stagnant water by having the return pump take the water from the middle compartment .....not a good idea....you have to have the water flow through the refugium inorder for it to function well............

 

[Musicbabe]

I've heard that one concern with having the refugium at the end of the sump is the potential for the return to get clogged.

 

[forensicdoc]

I am using option #2. It works for me.

 

[Bebo77]

2:thumbsup:

 

[mflamb]

:rollface: #2 will make you do this :rollface:

 

[uztaryn]

Number 2 is the right one it appears.

 

[ck1]

I also use Number 2

Chad

 

[hurtback]

in drawing # 2 and #3--is the return line coming OUT of the return section in the sump? and in drawing # 2 what is the valve going back into the refugium part--
also---is it better to have flow from both sides of the sump into the middle and then returned to the tank, or flow from one side to the other ,then out back to the tank

 

[drummereef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9392226#post9392226 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hurtback
in drawing # 2 and #3--is the return line coming OUT of the return section in the sump? and in drawing # 2 what is the valve going back into the refugium part--
also---is it better to have flow from both sides of the sump into the middle and then returned to the tank, or flow from one side to the other ,then out back to the tank

Yes, the return line is coming from the center (return) section of drawing #2. I'm still trying to get input on layouts, but it seems like #2 is definitely the most popular. Some people feel that #1, flow from left to right, might get stagnant water in the center section. And it is also harder to control the amount of flow to the fuge. Most like a relatively slow flow in the fuge.

 

[hurtback]

in drawing # 2---what is the valve for on the overflow drain line going into the refugium---

 

[drummereef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9392891#post9392891 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hurtback
in drawing # 2---what is the valve for on the overflow drain line going into the refugium---

The ball valve helps to control the flow into the refugium. By cutting back the amount of flow it will then divert the rest of the drainage to the skimmer side, as you can see the pipe that leads to the left side of the sump.

 

[Shnabbles]

Hey just so you know on the 180 aga's the return is the out side holes and the drains are in the inside holes

 

[hurtback]

so his 'red' lines are returns???

 

[Shnabbles]

his red lines should be returns yes... the 1 inch wholes are the drains ... the 3/4 inch hole is the return

 

[hurtback]

ok---another somewhat ' dumb' question i have
---"Some people feel that #1, flow from left to right, might get stagnant water in the center section. And it is also harder to control the amount of flow to the fuge. Most like a relatively slow flow in the fuge".
why would there be dead flow spots in the refugium with flow from left to right--using drawing #1

 

[drummereef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9393377#post9393377 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Shnabbles
Hey just so you know on the 180 aga's the return is the out side holes and the drains are in the inside holes

Sorry, the drain is red and the return is green. Sorry about the outside/inside buisness... it's more for the general flow and layout of the sump and how it should be plumbed. Please excuse the reversed overflow stuff.

 

[Fishel]

#2 that's what I am doing.......

 

[drummereef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9393499#post9393499 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hurtback
ok---another somewhat ' dumb' question i have
---"Some people feel that #1, flow from left to right, might get stagnant water in the center section. And it is also harder to control the amount of flow to the fuge. Most like a relatively slow flow in the fuge".
why would there be dead flow spots in the refugium with flow from left to right--using drawing #1

Can't really answer, but someone explained that the return pump would 'suck' water from the fuge more than in #2. Doesn't make much sense to me, but I'm no expert obviously. I do know you can't control the amount of flow to that area alone since it is dependant on the overall flow from the pump.

 

[drummereef]

For all of you that choose #2, can you post some pics of the setup?