How does my sump/display tank design look?

[n8rad]

This is my first time ever doing a sump so I need comments and suggestions if Im on the right track.

Thanks

 

[Hoosier Reefer]

Unless you already have the tank, and it's RR, I'd think about a more centrally located SINGLE overflow, with the split for the sump / refugium coming downstream. dual returns are probably un-necessary, unless you're using the return for flow within the tank. But hey, I'm a beginner too........ just looking to do it effectively, but SIMPLY !!!

 

[Craig Lambert]

I would not place ball valves on lines that drain from the tank. Those are lines that should always flow unrestricted. I would also be concerned about moving 1200GPH through a 30G sump with 4 baffles. I think you could experience an issue with microbubbles returning to the tank. (It's also going to be pretty noisy).

How big is the tank? You really only need 3-5 times the tank's volume passing through the sump. I would do slow turnover and augment your flow with either a closed loop or some tunze streams (or similar).

 

[n8rad]

the tank is 4'x2'x2'

 

[Craig Lambert]

I agree with the other poster that 1 overflow on a 120G is sufficient. If it were me I would shoot for about 5-600GPH through the sump, and add additional flow as suggested earlier.

 

[Craig Lambert]

bimmernate,

One other suggestion. You might want to post this on the lighting, filtration forum located here http://reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=212

 

[n8rad]

when you say 5-600GPH through the sump are you saying my return pump should only output that much?

Is there a way i can move this to that forum, or should i just copy and paste it so there are 2 ongoing threads?

Thanks guys, this is the info im looking for, keep it coming

 

[xenon]

360-600gph is all you need for your return. Make sure you calculate head loss.

For additional flow build yourself a closed loop.

Example: http://www.melevsreef.com/closedloop.html

 

[n8rad]

Head loss being if my return pump goes out right?

 

[n8rad]

thats ~600 GPH for a single overflow right. Cause the LFS says if i go with the dual overflow i need somewhere between 1000-1200 GPH.

Could someone also tell me the benefit of a closed loop, is it just so you dont have to use powerheads?

 

[Buster4900]

Closed loop would take the place of the powerheads in the tank.

Head loss iexample is a pump will pump 100GPH in a straight line horizontal. If it pumps up a couple foot vertical it will pump less than 100GPH. Most pumps have the info withthem how much they will pump vertically.

I hope this helps.

 

[Craig Lambert]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8803678#post8803678 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bimmernate
Head loss being if my return pump goes out right?

Head loss is the amount of flow lost when the water is pumped back to the tank. For example, if a pump is rated for 700GPH that is the rate that the water flows out of the pump's exit. You then have to account for how far the water must travel back to the tank through the plumbing systems. (perhaps it has to climb 4 ft. to reach the tank entry point). Use this calculator. Shoot for 360-600gph returned to the tank.

http://reefcentral.com/calc/hlc2.php

 

[Craig Lambert]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8803714#post8803714 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bimmernate
thats ~600 GPH for a single overflow right. Cause the LFS says if i go with the dual overflow i need somewhere between 1000-1200 GPH.

Could someone also tell me the benefit of a closed loop, is it just so you dont have to use powerheads?

If you're moving 500gph there is no need for a dual overflow, and also no need for a dual return line. Here is a calculator for your drain line and overflow box based upon how much water you want to move. This tells you what size pipe and overflow box you should use

http://reefcentral.com/calc/drain.php

Is this a "reef ready" tank with a built in overflow box? If so, I would have them drill it for a 1.5" bulkhead rather than 1" to keep my return flow options open. You can use 1" pipe for your return. If it's not reef ready, then just go with the recommended overflow box and pipe size.

The closed loop would mean drilling an additional hole (or two)below the water surface and plumbing it directly to a separate pump. That pump would then return the water to the tank in any manner you wish. Some use multiple returns, seaswirls, multiple locklines....any thing you want. It's purpose is to provide additional flow just as powerheads would, but the advantage would be not having to have any powerheads in the tank. It's a "closed loop" because the water does not circulate through your sump to be skimmed. It just drains directly to a pump, and back to the tank.

 

[n8rad]

I have no control over the overflow boxes. Its an AGA tank with dual overflows.