Help with sump design please

[Young347]

Okay so I just want some input on sump design for my setup all I am looking for is 2 compartments 1 for protein skimmer / bio pellet reactor and all little things like heaters and what not and then 1 compartment for return I want baffles to guide the water so I am put mechanical carbon and micro filters in between the bafles do right before the water returns to tank it is forced through them

Also for the protein skimmer I am going to buy it says water lol at 7 inches so that's all I wanted in my sump so just in case power out I have room for extra water down in sump

I was thinking just a simple over under over on the right side about 7 inch out


What I am using is a 40 gallon breeder 36x18x16

 

[woodnaquanut]

That's pretty much exactly what my sump is.

Things I'd change...

Make the return section a bit larger. I only have one days worth of water before it sucks air. So if I forget to fill ATO res or the ATO goes nuts (and it has!) there is not much time before it runs dry.

 

[Young347]

So about how large of a return area do you have ??? 1 day of water evaporation will suck *** haha

 

[woodnaquanut]

6-7 inches. I'd make my over-under-over gaps smaller (now 2") since I don't use or have any plans for anything going in the gaps.

Also the sump could run a bit deeper (higher baffles). As long as it fits under the stand, just put the skimmer on a riser. Of course you need to have some idea of the drain down volume to make sure you don't get a power off flood!

How big is your DT? How are you plumbing the return?

 

[Young347]

DT? It is a 150 gallon 48 long 30 tall and 24 wide I have 2 1 inch drains gravety fed and 2 3/4 returns the plumping goes straight up and branches off in the middle to both sides

If I do 7 inches water lvl 7 inches long and 17 1/2 wide that would be the space for the return pump with the baffles at like 1 inch apart it will leave me 26 or so inches for other equipment

 

[woodnaquanut]

That is about 3.7 gal in the return area. Estimating the pump takes up .7 gal of space (I have no idea here but it makes the math easier), that leaves 3 gal. If the pump sucks air when that space is half full, that gives you 1.5 gal of evaporation before there is suckage.



My 120G tank evaporates about 1g/day, so let's assume yours will too. Are you comfortable with 1.5 days of run time without ATO working?

 

[Young347]

Thank you for all he math and the heads up!!! Yes I am fine with the 1.5 so every day to maybe 2 days seeing how I will have 20 gallons of RO/DI on standby next to my tank at all times and I will get the ATO next month for sure!!! I would rather deal with the evaporation and give myself more room in my sump for oh **** moments haha