Sump Design Advice

[Nick30G]

Right now im planning out my sump which is a 10 gallon tank, with the display being a 37 gallon tank. I plan on having two baffles in this sump, one dividing the skimmer and fuge section at 8 inches tall, and one dividing the fuge and return section at 7 inches tall (As Seen In My Drawing). Im not going to put a bubble trap in this sump because it is so small and i want to dedicate as much space as possible for the fuge and i don't feel i will need a bubble trap. Does this design I have come up with look good? Im mainly concerned about the height of the return section. My skimmer section is going to be 8 inches water level for my Bubble Magus Curve 5 Skimmer. And Im not really sure what I should set my return section height to, so i just put it 1 inch lower at 7 inches. Will the return section making splashing noises/bubbles going over that 7 inch baffle as well?

http://imgur.com/a/Nq3ht <-- Sump Plans

 

[thegrun]

My only concern is your return section may be too small to handle all the drain down water when the return pump is off. If it isn't big enough, the refugium will overflow the baffle and you will clog your return pump with macroalgae.

 

[Nick30G]

My only concern is your return section may be too small to handle all the drain down water when the return pump is off. If it isn't big enough, the refugium will overflow the baffle and you will clog your return pump with macroalgae.

Why would it be too small?

 

[thegrun]

When you turn off your return pump (or you lose power) a fair amount of water will drain down into your sump, the amount dependent on several factors. You don't give specific dimensions, but if the drawing is proportional, it is likely not big enough.

 

[Nick30G]

When you turn off your return pump (or you lose power) a fair amount of water will drain down into your sump, the amount dependent on several factors. You don't give specific dimensions, but if the drawing is proportional, it is likely not big enough.

How much room should i give to the return section then? The pump is quite small, its only about 3 inches wide and 5 inches long. The drawing is not proportional

 

[thegrun]

Ideally you would measure the amount of drain down water using a bucket as a temporary sump, but if that isn't practical, figure your tank will drain down at least 1" but it is usually closer to 2".

 

[Nick30G]

Ideally you would measure the amount of drain down water using a bucket as a temporary sump, but if that isn't practical, figure your tank will drain down at least 1" but it is usually closer to 2".

I have calculated that 3.1 gallons will drain into my sump. And I have calculated I have about 4 gallons extra space for drain water in my sump.

 

[thegrun]

Then you are good to go!
(Assuming your calculations are correct-lol)!

 

[FireReeferSteve]

Here is mine for my 190..... maybe some ideas


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Nick30G]

Something else has crossed my mind lately on my sump design. Another idea i have come up with and am starting to like is to my sump only a two chamber sump. I would not have a refigium section as the space for a fuge in a 10 gallon is small and might not be worth the trouble. In my drawing of this sump plan, I start out in the first chamber, which houses the filter socks, skimmer, and to replace the fuge a Santa Monica algae scrubber, some type of upflow type one like the Drop or HOG type scrubber. In the second compartment is my return section with the heaters and return pump. There is only one baffle in this plan, a 8 inch baffle. I was wondering if this would work also and if you guys agree with this plan more or the other one. http://imgur.com/a/RDygL

 

[davehead86]

Id put the baffle before the return pump and have all that other stuff in the same compartment if your going to have just two compartments.

I agree a 10 gallon with a fuge is not gonna work really well, but that middle section to have heaters and rubble is nice IMHO.