Second Sump

[2turtles]

Hi

I want to add a second sump. Water from the tank and accesseries flows into the first sump. I want to add a second sump on the same level as the first. The size of the connection between the two is my question. The return pump will be moved to the second sump. The return pump is moving about 1800 gallons per hour.

 

[oldsaltman]

I have two slumps like you are doing. One is a bio ball filter system with the return pump and the other is a livesand bottom with micro algae in it. I just made sure that the connection between them was the largest pipe in my system. That will cover it for sure.

 

[Crooke]

2 x 1.5" tubes would work, as would 1 x 2" tube. I would use 2 x 2" tubes for redundancy and peace of mind.

 

[30mini]

Why not just make one slightly higher than the other and just use gravity?? A 2" pipe from one to the other would work well, and should easily handl your flow

 

[oldsaltman]

That is what I did. I let gravity work the flow from one slump the the other. Works great...

 

[oldsaltman]

Mine look something like this:

 

[30mini]

That's the idea, just have an elbow going down into the second one to reduce bubbles!

 

[oldsaltman]

Yes mine has an elbow I just couldn't draw it that fast so I fudged some!

 

[dpstrand]

Wouldn't you want the pipe coming out near the bottom of the first one rather than the top? Or is putting it near the top equivalent to an "over" baffle?

 

[oldsaltman]

The only reason I had mine near the top was so I didn't have to raise it so high. This way it is only about 4" higher that the other. I don't know why it would matter. I keep a powerhead in it to move the micro (and water) around.:lol:

 

[oldsaltman]

Being near the top also insures that it doesn't dump all it's water into the other slump. That would cause a flood!

 

[2turtles]

In my case both sumps will be on the same level. So the right size pipe connecting the two will self adjust the water level between the two. If the water did not overflow in sump number one before it will not overflow when the two are connected. Plus if the two are at the same level, having the pipe at the bottom will lessen the flow of micro bubbles between them, which is my goal here.

 

[30mini]

If you want to try that, then go for it! I just think that gravity is your friend, and instead of drilling two holes, one is easier!

 

[2turtles]

Drilling two holes in poly tubs is easier than busting into the concrete floor so one sump can be lower than the other. My first sump is more tall than long (contributing to the bubble issue). I can not raise it. I don't know about gravity being my friend, if my beer gut hangs any lower......better not go there.

 

[30mini]

You can raise the second one by like an inch or so, and that will still be a higher water level allowing water to flow from the higher to the lower