Sump Plan Opinions

[zoohoot]

I am planning the sump for my ~190 gallon build and wanted to get opinions. Here are the details:

Tank:
- Approx 190 gallons
- Two 1.5" overflows (1 main and 1 emergency)
- Two 3/4" returns
- Plan a mixed reef with mostly softies and LPS

Sump:
- Using a 55 gallon tank
- It is approx 48" long x 12.5" wide x 21" high
- Plan to have a skimmer area, return, and fuge
- Flow: overflow to skimmer, to return, split back to tank and loop to fuge which will flow back to the return (hope that makes sense)

Here are my questions:
1. What do you think of the size of each section?
2. Are the baffle heights good?
3. Do you think I am leaving enough space to handle overflow from the tank during a power outage?

Thanks!!

 

[uncleof6]

Your fuge section is around 11.6 gallons, for it to really be much use, the fuge would need to be 19 gallons or more. The 55 is a very narrow tank, and really your sump should have more width, and a bit less height; probably more length for a 190 tank. But other than that.......

Jim

 

[zoohoot]

Thanks for your info, Jim. I already have the 55, so I would really like to use it if possible.

Would it be doable if I made the return and skimmer area smaller to give more space to the fuge?

I could also make the fuge area taller. I suppose. If I went 18 wide and 18 tall that would give me about 17 gallons for the fuge.

 

[uncleof6]

You got power out drain down to deal with also, and deal with it in the sump with left over volume, not with gimmicks up at the tank. 18" tall, at 12" wide is not going to breath. I was going to suggest to you that your baffles are already too tall.

You can make the fuge section longer, and the skimmer section shorter, as long as the skimmer fits in with a little wiggle room. You can make the return section smaller, but do not crowd the pump, for the sake of the fuge. The pump is more important than the fuge. It is not likely you can get a 19 gallon fuge in there, with room for pump, skimmer and drain down.

Jim

 

[zoohoot]

Is there any way to calculate how many gallons of out drain down is expected, or do I just need to test it?

 

[uncleof6]

length x width x depth (distance return outlets below tank water surface) /231. For pipes the volume of the pipe is πR² x length of the pipe section. R = inside radius of pipe (diameter /2). Add it all together and gives you a close enough estimate.

Jim

 

[zoohoot]

Wow...I had to read all that twice. Just kiddin...thanks, Jim.

 

[motortrendz]

theres formulas for that on manhattan reef forum homepage..i would set mine up from left to right.. skimmer area then the bubble trap, the fuge area then the return area..

 

[zoohoot]

Well, based on Jim's advice I purchased a 75 gallon tank to replace the 55 I had planned to use for the sump. The dimensions of the new tank are 48 long x 18 wide x 21 tall. The added width and a few tweaks to my plans give me a larger fuge, and better space to handle drain down in a power outage.

Please take a look at these new plans and let me know if you see any issues or have any suggestions. Thanks!

 

[uncleof6]

Yeah, looks like you are cooking with gas now.... very similar to this guy:

Jim

 

[zoohoot]

That is pretty much what I copied.

 

[zoohoot]

Thanks for your help, btw!

 

[uncleof6]

You're welcome.

Jim

 

[ghostman]

Maybe slightly off topic, but what size pump will you be using for your return? Have you considered using a larger diameter return? IMO, 3/4" tubing might constrict flow.

 

[hul kogan]

I may have missed it, but what is the purpose of the 5" tall pane next to the filter sock?

 

[TheFishMan65]

I figure that was a typo. But what I really want to know is how he is keeping the water out of the bubble trap

 

[zoohoot]

Haha...I was too lazy to draw the water through the bubble trap

Let me answer those questions and ask a few more as well...

1. Pump:
I plan to use an eheim 1262 for return that will tee off to the fuge section and then tee off to two separate returns in the DT. The tank builder recommended this pump and the 3/4 return size. The tank is already drilled, do you think this will work?

2. 5" Divider next to skimmer:
I think I am going to omit that. Originally I was planning to use it to "wedge" a filter sock in place with some spa flex from the overflow. This is basically how my filter sock is held in place in my elos mini sump. But I am worried about having the return that far underwater, so I think I will setup a sock holder at the top of the tank.

Thanks for everyone's input. I have the 75 now and plan to order glass for the baffles on Monday, so the info and critque is VERY helpful.

 

[zoohoot]

Another quick question...the interior width is 17 9/16 inches. How much of a gap should I allow on each side of the baffles? I was thinking of ordering them 17 5/16 inches wide to give me about 1/16 inch on each side. Does that sound about right?

 

[uncleof6]

1/16 space is fine. Just make sure the silicone fills the gap.

Jim

 

[zoohoot]

Thanks again!