Help with my first sump

[ambaratur]

Hi there smart people!

I was hoping that you folks would not mind helping me out a little bit. I have a great desire to enter the marine aquarium hobby. I have had freshwater tanks for years (75g community, 55g African cichlid, 29g community, 10g quarantine) and I feel it is time, as the Jeffersons would say, to move on up.

I have done considerable research (not the least of which is reading ReefCentral) and I have decided to start a 90g FOWLR. It is my intention to someday be able to tackle corals and more difficult entities ââ"šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ but it seemed that a FOWLR would be a good start. When the time comes I intend to start with a TBS ââ"šÂ¬Ã…"œpackageââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ of live rock and live sand etc.

I am trying to be cost-conscious in my first attempt while being a thorough as possible. I have decided to start with a 90 gal tank from All-Glass (48x18x24) that is pre-drilled to make my life easier. I will build my own stand and canopy. I have also decided to build my own sump as well.

This is where I need some experienced input.

I intend to construct the sump from a 30g All-Glass aquarium (36x12x16).
I plan to use 1/8ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ acrylic for the baffles.
I have not chosen a skimmer yet ââ"šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ so I am trying to leave enough room for one.
I will use a MagDrive 950 pump for the return with the equivalent of 6ââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢ of head ââ"šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ I am shooting for about 400 to 450 gph through the sump. Extra powerheads will be used within the tank to provide additional flow.

Here is a graphic image of my sump plan:

All measurements are in inches. The baffles height is 11ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ with 1ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ of space under the raised baffles.

Here are some specific questions:

1) Is 1/8ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ acrylic thick enough for the baffles?
2) Are the 2 foam blocks overkill?
3) Where can one purchase generic foam blocks like these?
4) Will the bubble trap still work when one side is actually 2ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ rather than just 1ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚? (I did this in order to provide more foam space as solid waste may start to clog the sponge over time)
5) What are your general impressions of the sump plan?

Thanks for your time and your input in advance!

 

[tehon3299]

1. Yes but I would think about using 1/4" so they do not bow with the weight of the water pushing on them.

2. I think they are but you will probably get mixed opinions on this. You do not want them to restrict flow and actually end up getting microbubbles over the top of the baffle.

3. PetSmart

4. The bigger the bubble trap the better. 2" on one side and 1" on the other will be fine.

5. Good sump but I would put the return in the middle and the refug and skimmer sections on the ends. Then you can control how much flow each is getting. You will want less flow through the refug than through the whole sump.

Hope this helps.

 

[30mini]

I agree with tehon... but I really don't think that you need to have that second set of baffles over there near the fuge. The first set should restrict bubbles enough that none should get through. Also, if your worried about bubbles, think about a bubble tower! I have one in mine, and it really does cut down on a LOT of unwanted bubbles!!!

 

[tehon3299]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7062522#post7062522 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 30mini
I agree with tehon... but I really don't think that you need to have that second set of baffles over there near the fuge. The first set should restrict bubbles enough that none should get through. Also, if your worried about bubbles, think about a bubble tower! I have one in mine, and it really does cut down on a LOT of unwanted bubbles!!!

Agreed. A 2.5" x 2.5" bubble tower with live rock rubble in it really break up the bubbles. Also, have you checked out Melevs Reef? I learned almost everything about sumps/refugiums/acrylic from his site!

 

[ambaratur]

Thanks for all the input. Very much appreciated.

-Amb

 

[tehon3299]

Happy to help. Keep the questions coming. This place is full of knowledgeable people!