Small but effective sump help???

[gb091685]

So I am new to the saltwater side of the hobby. Ive created a custom size sump tank for under my new nano reef but am needing some help and or advise on placement of the different chambers. It is 11" x 12" x 16" tall. I am trying to house any hardware under the small cabinet that it is housed on. All I have constructed so far are the outside walls. Any help or advise is appreciated.

 

[Mark Bianco]

If you are planning on corals and an insump skimmer that will be a real challenge. You will need three compartments a return section with some kind of filter. Your next section will need to be for your skimmer with baffles in between to keep the water level constant and the last section needs to be big enough to house your return pump. The smallest skimmer footprint I have seen has about 4 x 4 inch footprint and you need room around that so 6 inches is gone already. IMO at least 4 to 5 inches for some type of filter media this leaves no room for a return pump. How big is your tank and what do you plan on keeping in it?

Mark

 

[Timfish]

never buy a pair of shoes from a pharmaceutical sales rep. I did i am not sure what he laced them with, but i was tripping all day...

:lmao:

 

[Timfish]

FWIW I don't bother with baffles, just a single chamber, a return pump and maybe some rubble.

 

[ReefMaster48]

I would have a small compartment for the return pump only. This way should your overflow get clogged/blocked, etc, the entire sump with not empty into the main. Maybe only a gallon compared to 5-10 (just example sizes).

 

[newbie2014]

FWIW I don't bother with baffles, just a single chamber, a return pump and maybe some rubble.

This ^^^^

For a nano tank skimmer is not needed if you're careful about your bioload and be dilligent about water changes.
You can always add a HOB skimmer to the front or back side of the sump in the future if needed.

 

[billdogg]

FWIW I don't bother with baffles, just a single chamber, a return pump and maybe some rubble.

This ^^^^

For a nano tank skimmer is not needed if you're careful about your bioload and be dilligent about water changes.
You can always add a HOB skimmer to the front or back side of the sump in the future if needed.

^^^What they said^^^

with your sump so small, trying to subdivide it will be more of a headache than it's worth.

 

[gb091685]

I didn't think about a HOB skimmer to hang on the back of the sump. That may be the way I go for that. I was thinking have a overflow go into a filter sock then to live rock with macro then thru baffles into the return pump chamber. Just a thought but not sure.

 

[Mark Bianco]

The layout looks nice. If you do go with a HOB skimmer and you like quite look into the Aquamax 1.5 I have one on mine and in the 6 months I have it never one issue or even after the first day have readjust the skim rate...

 

[gb091685]

going from chamber to chamber do i want it to flow over the top of the previous chamber then fill the next chamber from the bottom or opposite? also what chamber should i put my heater in?

 

[heathlindner25]

The layout looks nice. If you do go with a HOB skimmer and you like quite look into the Aquamax 1.5 I have one on mine and in the 6 months I have it never one issue or even after the first day have readjust the skim rate...

I've had the same unit, older model for years, and I love it .

 

[sde1500]

going from chamber to chamber do i want it to flow over the top of the previous chamber then fill the next chamber from the bottom or opposite? also what chamber should i put my heater in?

The heater will fit best in the longest section.

Speaking of fitting, that's a pretty tight fit as is, I wouldn't try multiple baffles.