Sump Question

[Vinnie71975]

Hey all as you know im setting up a 55g with fuge and sump, i know that flow needs to me slowed in the fuge so that the macro has time to work. But my question is what do you guys think about Low flow sumps? my skimmer will be in the sump and im trying to decide if i want it to be Low or higher flow sump. What are the Pro's and Con's of both.

 

[Zoophile]

I like a low flow sump. It gives time for the water to be skimmed, heated, carbon and phosban (if used) time to do their thing. It also gives particles from the overflow time to settle so it can be siphoned off later rather than returned to the main display.

Powerheads these days are a lot better than they used to be, when high flow return pumps were necessary for flow in the main tank.

 

[Vinnie71975]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11644173#post11644173 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Zoophile
I like a low flow sump. It gives time for the water to be skimmed, heated, carbon and phosban (if used) time to do their thing. It also gives particles from the overflow time to settle so it can be siphoned off later rather than returned to the main display.

Powerheads these days are a lot better than they used to be, when high flow return pumps were necessary for flow in the main tank.

Ya i had the idea suggested to me by a fellow reefer at a club meeting, still not sure on all the pros and con's.

 

[Moosetache]

I am struggling with this right now as well.....I am pretty sure I am going to be going with a smaller pump for my return and have 2 koralia 4's in the tank. Seems like the flow through the fuge part of my sump is just too fast and it is almost pulling the cholerpa over the falls into the return pump area. Just want to make sure that by slowing this flow down, I am not creating a stagnant main display. What would be the minimum turnover in the sump on a per hour basis?

 

[Vinnie71975]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11649057#post11649057 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Moosetache
I am struggling with this right now as well.....I am pretty sure I am going to be going with a smaller pump for my return and have 2 koralia 4's in the tank. Seems like the flow through the fuge part of my sump is just too fast and it is almost pulling the cholerpa over the falls into the return pump area. Just want to make sure that by slowing this flow down, I am not creating a stagnant main display. What would be the minimum turnover in the sump on a per hour basis?

This is how im setting mine up but i think im gonna put a ball valve on the line to the Sump as well as the fuge, i have a 55g tank and an overflow designed for up to 125g tank.


<a href="http://s254.photobucket.com/albums/hh81/vance71975/?action=view&current=NewSumpPlan.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh81/vance71975/NewSumpPlan.jpg" border="0" alt="New and improved sump idea"></a>