sump howto

[doox00]

Where can I find a good how to build your own sump article? I just got a 90 gallon overflow tank and new to this stuffs..I will be using a 20 or 30 gallon glass tank as a sump and need to know how to set it up (compartments, skimmer, refuguim etc). I tried search function.. keeps telling me its disabled due to high volume.

thanks!

 

[TekCat]

check out http://www.melevsreef.com/

 

[bheron]

TekCat beat me to it. Go to that link and you'l find all you need. Marc will even custom build one for you!

 

[doox00]

okay, checking it out.. its starting to make more sense.. what all stuff you do want to happen in a sump/refugium btw? This is the layout I am looking into Skimmer > Refugium > Return. I would have 3 compartments then correct? how do I determine how high walls for each compartment would be? do I just have glass cut and then silicon the compartment walls in place? do I want something in there I can place some sort of media in case I need to run the water though, like where the water enterers the sump? if so what would be good for this? as you can see i have alot of questions.. still reading through the site linked as well....

thanks again.

 

[TekCat]

skimmer -> fuge -> return is very common sump design.
One the height of walls subject: there is no rule per se. However there are couple of things bear in mind, the wall heights will determine sump's operational water volume, on the other hand, the rest (unused volume of the sump) should accomodate water that flows back into the sump in the event of power failure. That is when your pump stops there will be some water coming down the drain line, and sump should be able to handle that water without spilling out.
If you use glass tank for sump, then you're correct: just cut glass baffles and silicone them in place. You don't really need anything else in there because it will complicate cleaning and maintanance of the sump. If you need ocasionally run some sort of chemical media or carbon, you can always hook up canister filter for short time, and then take it away.

... just my opinion

hth