Sump layouts/diagrams

[em805]

I am getting ready to order a sump for a 36"x36"x20" (lxwxh) tank but, I want to make sure I am going to be happy with the layout. I was thinking going with dimensions on the sump of 30"x16"x17" (unless anyone can help me out with better and reasons why). Also, I am planing to keep an ATI Bubblemaster 200 (Dimensions: 13.8" x 8.6" x 18.9") and a Korallin C1502 Calcium Reactor (height: approx. 15.75"; Diameter: 4.50"; Ground: 6.30")--both inside the sump. I also would like to have a refugium, bubble trap, and would like to use a filter sock for mechanical filtration. I don't know if this is all possible with the dimensions I am thinking but any advice and ideas would be greatly appreciated. If you have pictures of good set-ups I would appreciate it also.

 

[mikedege]

heres a pik of my 36X20X16... it going under my new tank, if I can get it done...

btw, drain coming in on the left,where the skimmer is located, return in rear right, and fuge in front.

-Mike

 

[em805]

Almost forgot to mention, I want as little micro bubbles in my main tank as possible. What precautions can I take, do I use 2 bubble traps or is there a better method?

 

[em805]

Nice sump! How big is return area? Do you think it would be able to house my Calcium reactor? Or do you think both the reactor and the skimmer would fit in the drain area? Also, the fuge is the front rectangular area separated by the black acrylic correct? If so how does the water flow through, I didn't see a opening between the drain in and the fuge? Thanks, Mikededge!

 

[mikedege]

The drain area(left) is 12X20. The fuge is 18X8, and the return is 13.5X12. The reason one baffle is larger than the other is to have room to place media, i usually put chemi clean in there, and a piece of eggcrate, about 1/2 way up. I have a design similar to this in my other tank, only smaller. It works well. If you put hang a filterbag on your drain, you shouldnt have any problems wth microbubbles, even if you have only 1 baffle. Also, i would reccomend about a return pump of around 900gph, maybe like the Eheim 1262 is a good one. You dont want to push too much thru your sump, that is a large contributer to microbubbles. As far as not seeing an opening between the drain are and the fuge, its because I "T" off my drain(from my tank), and place a gate valve, for reduced flow to my fuge. I dont want the full flow going thru my fuge.

you can play with different dimensions, to come up with something that works for you. You should check out Socalcrations.com, they do excellent work, they did my 1st fuge. This fuge was done by another company(wanted to try them out), and I would not use them again(long story, i'd rather not get into it, but PM me if you want to know). but I would highly reccomend going back to Socal.

btw, sorry this is 30X20X16 NOT 36X20X16 oops...

good luck, Mike