Help with a DIY sump.....

[HBtank]

So now I need to build myslef a sump. I wish I could of had the chance to set it up before I started this tank but that was not an option.

So I am having some trouble thinking of a way to get a decent size sump into my 55g standard's stand while it is full. I saw a DIY on putting in supports and removing the center brace, but for whatever reason I do not want to got this route. It just seems there could be a easier solution.

I was wondering is anyone has tried attaching two sumps together inside the stand. Basically I am thinking aboput using two matched containers (what I am unsure of yet, maybe new or used acrylic or something cheaper if I can find it) that seperately fit in the 21" x 15" doors and can the be attached (silicone/weld or whatever is appropriate) together once inside. I was thinking all I would need to do is cut out an area on each so once they are attached the water can flow over as if it were part of a baffle, and once put together I could add additional pieces of acrylic to complete the different sections..

I have not gone much farther than justr thinking of trying this to get a sump closer to 30g max capacity and was wondering is anyone has tried this to get around small doors on a tank? Anyone see any problems other than making sure the center is sealed?

 

[eckrynock]

I have two separate tanks under my tank and they are connected by PVC. I just put a 1 inch bulkhead in each tank.

 

[HBtank]

I was thinking it would add more volume and be easier just to glue two sumps together and make the area that they joined part of a baffle. Something like this:

I would only need to add two pieces to complete it.

Is there anywhere I could add a refugium or would I need to slow the flow down by making another compartment?

 

[rustybucket145]

Your plan looks good to me. For the refugium you might want to add another set of baffles after the skimmer and place your refugium between the first and second set of baffles. This placement will keep your water level constant and should keep bubbles under control in the refugium.

Wouldn't hurt to have two refugiums, one on each side. I think you will have the room and any heaters can be placed in the refugium if necessary.

 

[HBtank]

Thanks for the help!

I was thinking I would need another set of baffles. But to get more room could I do it this way? Then all that would really be in the side with the fuge would be the return pump and the extra set of baffles? My skimmer will actually take a good amount of room as it will be HOB of the sump and is large to start with..

I am not that familiar with sumps but is the reurn area to small in this drawing? it seems like it could suck that compartment dry pretty easy could lead to problems if the water level is not just right?

 

[HBtank]

I was thinking a mag 9 pump, but I may go with a mag 12 because I want to have SCWD outlet into the tank and I read they reduce flow 30-40%.

Any comments are appreciated, because for all I know this could be a crazy setup and flood my house. Are there different baffle setups that would function better? In general i want to keep it as simple as possible. Thanks!

Also I am guessing the final max vloume would be right around 28 gallons, about how much volume should I leave open in the sump? 10g? 5g? 8g and make it a 20g sump?

 

[eckrynock]

You may want to tee your inflow line and give your refugium some raw unskimmed tank water. Also, you probably have more baffles than you will need. Remember, bubbles rise so it is best to have under, over, under instead of O, U, O. I would not place the extra baffles before the refugium. Just let the skimmer water pour over into the fuge and keep the three baffles before the return pump. Don't make the pump area too small or you will have problems with evap. top-off unless you go automated. Your tank shouldn't drain more than five gallons into the sump in a power outage so leave about 8 - 10 open. Good luck!

 

[eckrynock]

Even with the SCWD, a Mag 12 will be pumping A LOT of water through the sump. :eek1: I only use a Mag 7 for the return on my 90. A Mag 9.5 or 12 may work with the SCWD on a closed loop system but I would not use that big of a pump as a return on a 55.

 

[Fiziksgeek]

Have you ben to Melve's site??

http://www.melevsreef.com/

You might want to do a split sump (something like model C)

I see 2 drawback to glueing two sumps together. The first, is that is will be difficult to actually make a quality connection in the confined space. Secondly, what if you ever want to get the sump out?

 

[eckrynock]

My thoughts exactly fizik.

 

[HBtank]

Thanks for the help. I think I will be able to get a good connection, I am not to worried about that.

But yeh it would be a pain to remove so it just may be a permanent part unless I rip the stand apart to get it or just always have a sump on that tank.

If one baffle is ok I will go with that. I will be adding a mod to my css 220 to replace the baffle box and I think micro bubbles will not be that much of an issue anyways, but one baffle before the return and just the center area to flow overwould make it all much simpler.


I will go Mag 9 on the return but I think but will plumb it with a contol valve like on Melev's site and also tee the overflow into the two compartments.

I figure once you get started plumbing might as well take a little extra time to make it right.

Thanks for the help!