Sump Design help needed

[kamla]

Hi guys,
What do you think of my sump set up.
The first chamber is for the skimmer and overflow from the display tank.

The red line is PCV, I want to run the pump (Mag 7) externally, because the want to use the space for my refuge.
This is a 10 aga, which is 20 inches long out of which 9 inches are taken up th skimmer part.

If I ran the pump in the sump I will not have room for a refuge, Also I donââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t have the tools to make a hole and use a bulkhead to connect the pump to the sump.

Any input is greatly appreciated

BTW I donââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t have any more space in the stand to fit more stuff.

 

[lakebound]

Shouldn't be a problem, only thing is... you will have to account for the extra head loss coming up and over the tank to the pump. Other than that I would add another baffle on the left side of the 2 exisiting baffles for an efficient bubble trap. Space them about 1" between and 1" off the bottom.

 

[Toddrtrex]

If you aren't going to drill the tank (which it appears that you aren't) you will need to use an over the top method to get the water to the pump. I did that on both of my sumps, works great. But you will need to have "T" at the top of the PVC pipe so that you can prime the pipe with water. Use a treaded cap so that if you ever lose the prime you can refill it ( make sure to use teflon tape on the treads -- if not you may get microbubbles ). Also while I don't trust check valves 100% they do hold the prime long enough during WC so that you will still have the prime.

Also, I think you should put another baffle of some sorts between the fuge and the return section, other wise you stand of good chance of getting everything sucked into the return

HTH

 

[kamla]

Thax that exactly what I am talking about.

You have a point; about add another baffle before the return.
My sump is only 10 gal if the make the return section, it will be small only about 1~2 gals max. I am worried that because of evaporation the pump might run dry.

What are your thought on this..

I am planning on keeping some macro algae in the sump..

 

[lakebound]

Yes, evaporation is a big issue on the 10gal sump. I have one set up on my 55gal, and I am always adding water every day. Go with an auto top off and you will only have to refill once a week maybe.

 

[kamla]

i wsh i could ... no space in the stand for Anything. How much evaporation did you get in your 10 gal (What was it connected to)
It terms of gals/day

 

[lakebound]

it is connected to a Rio 1200, and I would say that evaporation was around 1 gal. a day. My sump is configured in 3 chambers:
1- intake
2- skimmer
3- return
No room for fuge really. I guess I could allocate a little area if I wanted to, but Im in the process of getting my 135 underway, so Im not gonna spend the time and effort on it anymore. The new tank has a 75 gal sump with a 25 gallon fuge inside.

 

[lakebound]

With your 1 to 2 gal. return section, I wouldnt worry about 1 gal. evap unless you have heat issues from lighting etc. with an open canopy allowing for extreme losses.

 

[kamla]

thax bro..

i will post a pics of the sump after it done..

 

[Toddrtrex]

kamla, hope the following info will help. I did some measuring of my 20gal ( High ) sump, for my 58g.

The sump has a total outside length of 24". A standard 10g tank is 20" long, you would only need to shave off 4". My biggest section is the skimmer section, so depending on which skimmer you are using you make up a lot of space there. The following is the sizes of each of my sections.
Skimmer/inflow section 9"
Baffles 3"
Fuge 6"
Return section 5"

I evap. about 1 gal a day. ( Mainly due to fans -- 2 * 175 MH + 2 * 96 PC ), I drip Kalk ( 5 gal. container ) so I can go 4-5 days without having to worry about the water level in the return section.
Here is a picture of said sump.

 

[kamla]

thats a nice looking sump Sir...

i am almost done glueing my baffles..
Updates soon..