My proposed sump design... whatcha think?

[NeveSSL]

Ok, what do you guys think?

I'm wondering if I should make the refugium and skimmer sections a bit smaller and make the return section bigger so evaporation wouldn't be as big of an issue. This could allow me an extra day or two between top offs.

FWIW, I'm planning a Coralife 65 skimmer, which has something like a 5.5"x6.25" footprint I think. I gave myself some room to play with it if I need to and some time for the bubbles to pop, even before getting to the bubble trap.

It's a 29 gallon tank 30x12.5x17.

Any thoughts?

Brandon

 

[dwd5813]

im not sure if this is me misreading your diagram or not, but in case i see it properly, ill point out that if your last wall is taller than your bubble trap, it will render the bubble trap useless since water will have to rise above that level(the last wall) to flow on to the return chamber.
other than that, though, i think what you have looks like the basic idea.

 

[dwd5813]

wait a minute, i just looked at that again. if you use a split pipe on your return to get water to that refugium that design should work i think. someone else will surely be able to help you better than i can.. gl. i didnt read the labeling properly and thought that the return was at the end like so many other designs. sorry

 

[kau_cinta_ku]

his setup will work it is just like mine. i am guessing his drain is gonna split off and half to the fuge and half to the skimmer?

IMO i would go with a ATO i have this kind but there are others that will work. http://www.aquahub.com/store/product27.html

that way you can make the return area smaller and make more room for the fuge

 

[NeveSSL]

DOH!

My bad! I should have specified the flow.

Yeah, I am planning on splitting it.

Thanks for the replies. I'm going to look at an auto top off unit, but I'm not sure how feasible its going to be being in my apartment. I may just have a small tub of water feed it or something. We'll see.

Thanks again!

Brandon

 

[chase33]

My sump is also setup the same way. The only differences are 1, the fuge and return are the same size, and 2, the space between the baffles is only 1". This will work fine as the water from the fuge will flow into the return section. Two inches between the baffles is a lot of space and I don't think it is necessary. I have yet to install an ATO though that is next on my list as it is becoming too much trouble toping off the water everyday as you will soon see.

 

[papagimp]

Re: My proposed sump design... whatcha think?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9790543#post9790543 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by NeveSSL
This could allow me an extra day or two between top offs.

Allow an extra day or two for you to top off, this doesn't mean the fish/inverts arrn't going to need that top off sooner. My tank can go about 2 1/2 days before my pump runs dry, I top it off twice a day though. Keeping the salinity stable is important. If ya don't want to have to top off at least once a day, then by all means, look into the ATO systems. Shouldn't require a very large top off container since it's only a 29g tank.

 

[NeveSSL]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9792189#post9792189 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chase33
My sump is also setup the same way. The only differences are 1, the fuge and return are the same size, and 2, the space between the baffles is only 1". This will work fine as the water from the fuge will flow into the return section. Two inches between the baffles is a lot of space and I don't think it is necessary. I have yet to install an ATO though that is next on my list as it is becoming too much trouble toping off the water everyday as you will soon see.

Sorry Chase... I drew this out for me... that's 2" total... 1" between each baffle.

papagimp...

I totally forgot about the salinity... I will check out an ATO system in due time.

Thanks guys!

Brandon