Sump design critique

[Kairus]

This will be my first sump build, my two current tanks just have HOB skimmers/filters.

Two 40 breeder display tanks with bean animal overflows will drain into this 40 breeder sump. Display tanks will be bare bottom so I would like to use filter socks. Skimmer will be an ASM G-1X which I have, and the return pump I'm planning on using a Jebao DC-3000LV. Head height will be about 48" with some horizontal runs. I'm not looking to run a crazy amount of flow through the sump. I also plan on putting an algae scrubber into the refuge area as well as mounting a Hydor Smart Level controller and an aqualifter to ATO.

Front view:

Top view:

Side view:

I made the skimmer section pretty large just in case I want to upgrade my skimmer, and the holder for the filter socks will come out pretty easily. The skimmer in the model is an ASM G2, the model is publicly available on the sketchup site (not made by me), so I should have plenty of room in there for the gate valve mod.

The filter sock holder I'm just going to make out of acrylic. I added some extra holes in there so there's somewhere for the water to drain if the socks get clogged.

And this is what I'm planning the whole system to look like:

Excuse the random colored pieces of wood, color coded them to make it easy to check the dimensions.

One tank will be a reef, and the other tank will be for the fish that aren't reef safe. Planning on a valentini puffer for the not reef safe tank.

 

[Syntax1325]

Looks good. You may want to consider putting more space between the three baffles in your BT, they look close and may not allow enough time for any micro bubbles to pop. However, since you are using a BAO it shouldn't be a problem. The baffles seem kind of high, how much water does that skimmer need to be in?

 

[Mrramsey]

My guess and its only a guess but the pump seems small. I'd use the 6000 pump since you will be splitting into two returns you will have a lot more friction loss. The baffles do seem a bit high but you can put your skimmer on a stand. I would do the socks a bit different though. I put a narrow chamber at the end for the BA drains to empty into and stay submerged. Then let the water overfill and run into the socks like this. This is mine. It makes changing the socks quick and easy.

 

[Poseidon]

Your baffles need to be about 1/2 that height. You will have to contain the drain water from TWO tanks in that sump. When the power goes out, and those two drain into the sump, you will have a mess.

 

[Mrramsey]

Just a further comment on the pump. I'd rather go larger and run at 50% than smaller at 100% else there is no point to a variable speed pump.

 

[Kairus]

Thanks guys. I'll drop the baffles about 3" so the water level will be about 9" in the sump. Should give me about 18 gallons of room for the when the return pump is off. Do I need to drop more than that? I can't imagine two 40 breeders will dump more water than that into the sump with the return pump off.

Sock design looks interesting, I'll look into changing them around.

Pump wise, I'll look at the 6000 instead.

 

[Mrramsey]

Thanks guys. I'll drop the baffles about 3" so the water level will be about 9" in the sump. Should give me about 18 gallons of room for the when the return pump is off. Do I need to drop more than that? I can't imagine two 40 breeders will dump more water than that into the sump with the return pump off.

Sock design looks interesting, I'll look into changing them around.

Pump wise, I'll look at the 6000 instead.

Also be sure you drill a hole in your return near the water surface to break the siphon and prevent water back flowing into the sump via the returns.