Sump Design

[Reefing Newbie]

So I have come up with a sump design and need to know how this will work. Only problem is that I need some one to help me figure out how to upload Google Sketch images on here. Help appretiated!

 

[nlgill13]

You may be able to save the google sketch as a jpeg to your computer and then attach it to a post using the 'Manage Attachments' feature....Otherwise use the snip tool to copy the image and paste it into Word or save it as a jpeg

 

[Reefing Newbie]

I am unable to save as a jpeg... How do I use the snip tool?

 

[britreefer]

go to file- export- export as 2D model and it will save it to your desktop in JPG i believe. then you can upload it as normal.

 

[Reefing Newbie]

There we go!

Now to explain the layout of the 55 gallon sump. The water from the overflows will enter the far left section before the bubble trap. It will drain into a filter sock then be taken in by my protien skimmer's pump and drain back into that section on the opposite side. The first section will be 13"X14.5"x14"(14" is the height of the first baffle). There will be another pump to run water to an ATS(12.5"Wx10"H). The water that does not get taken through the ATS will flow through the bubble trap which consists of the 14" tall baffle, an 18" tall baffle, then a 12" tall baffle where the return section will be. The water from the ATS will drain into a fuge section(farthest right). The farthest right will contain chaeto, ulva(sea lettuce, which pods love), and flame algae(for a macro that can go awhile with low nutrients unlike chaeto). The fuge section will be 24"x13"x18"(18" is the baffle height). The return section will be 6.5"x13"x12" deep(from the last baffle in the bubble trap. The return pump will be T'd off where half of the water or so will go into the fuge(hopefully to supply enough flow) and the rest will go to the returns for the DT.

Now any tips or suggestions? Should I get a second pump for the return section to supply the fuge? With the 18" baffle between the fuge and return sections, will I still be able to maintain a 12" depth? Please critisize the design! Sorry for getting wordy, but I couldn't get the dimensions of things to show...

 

[Reefing Newbie]

Here is a bump...

 

[schoi]

The only thing I would suggest is to provide enough spacing between your bubble traps. I didn't space mine far enough apart and I am having issues with micro bubbles.

 

[Reefing Newbie]

How far apart would you say? I was thinking 1.5" or so between mine...

 

[Elem7777]

I could be wrong but isn't have an ATS going to starve any refugium with macro in it? Especially if the refugiums only source of water and nutrients is the drain water from the ATS.

It sounds to me like you need to have the ATS drain into the return section and the refugium recieve water directly from the DT. This is assuming you can even have an ATS and a refugium with macro at the same time which from my understanding is going to be a iffy.

Hopefully someone who's used an ATS before can chime in.

 

[Reefing Newbie]

You bring up a good point. I have been told to use both, in fact someone has chaeto and an ATS. Your idea of the ATS draining into the return is great, I will make that change. I dont know how well having the fuge being fed directly from the DT is going to work, you need a flow that will tumble the chaeto and not sure if the drain will be too much or not enough... The other thing I am debating is using a filter sock. They help trap dirt, but take pods with them, which is something I need for a mandarin.

 

[schoi]

How far apart would you say? I was thinking 1.5" or so between mine...

Yea, I think that would be good enough depending on how much flow you are going to have going through your sump. Mine are 1" and I have to dial my flow way back and I still get micro bubbles passing through.