Sump Questions for Beginner

[rfdoc]

I've read a lot about sumps recently from places like melevsreef.com. There are a few questions I cannot find answers for about making a DIY sump. I'm looking to just create a Berlin type of setup that consists of an empty spare fish tank that I want to move my heater, skimmer, and water probes into and out of the display tank.

1. When the water drains from an overflow box to the sump, does the water need to splash into the sump or should it be submerged?

2. Is there a difference/benefit between using flexible tubing or PVC pipe to run the water to and from the sump?

3. Where do you buy a return elbow for the pump that leads back into the display tank, I can't find any of these?

 

[AngeloM3]

1. Submerged (If its splashing you'll get horrible salt creep).

2. Not that I know of.

3. Not exactly sure what you mean by a return elbow. What a lot of people will do is rig up a PVC 45degree elbow that goes into the tank.

 

[jmait769]

rfdoc

1. When the water drains from an overflow box to the sump, does the water need to splash into the sump or should it be submerged?

Either way will work. If it is splashed in then you will get a lot of salt creep and noise. Submerged IMO is better. You can also run it with a sock or with a bubble extractor which Mel discusses on his site.

2. Is there a difference/benefit between using flexible tubing or PVC pipe to run the water to and from the sump?

I run both and really I don’t see a difference. Flexible is easier to plumb as you do not have to go in a strict straight line. Some say the flexible is quieter but I can’t tell on my system. You can also use fittings with stainless steel clamps or you can install it like regular PVC.

3. Where do you buy a return elbow for the pump that leads back into the display tank, I can't find any of these?

I think you mean when it goes over the tank at the top correct? You can use two PVC 90 degree elbows if necessary or you could use one of these:



HTH

Jay

 

[rfdoc]

Thanks guys. Yes that is what I meant, a U Tube return! I guess I wasn't searching for the right thing.

 

[Steverino]

and some people say you need to have a small hole or two drilled in that return line just below the wate level so that it does not allow a siphon going backwards if you have a power outage or pump failure.

 

[crhis]

actually the hole in the return nozzle should be just at or a hair above the water level...those returns nozzles usually come with a hole predrilled from the factory.
i would suggest a baffle in the part of your sump where you plan to have your skimmer....i had a sump without one and as the water level in the sump would change so would the level in the skimmer...which led to the skimmer only working properly when the sump was topped off.

 

[Steverino]

Well, a hole drilled right above the water line means your return water can squirt out across the top of the water and cause spray. And it gets salt creep on it and plugs. If it is just a hair below the waterline, the salt dissolves and won't build up, the return spray is under water and not splashing, and the siphon is broken after only a minimal amount of back-wash siphon.

 

[Reeses]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9761560#post9761560 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Steverino
Well, a hole drilled right above the water line means your return water can squirt out across the top of the water and cause spray. And it gets salt creep on it and plugs. If it is just a hair below the waterline, the salt dissolves and won't build up, the return spray is under water and not splashing, and the siphon is broken after only a minimal amount of back-wash siphon.

This is how mine is set up, but as a cautionary note, make sure you keep that hole spick-n-span clean (I use a toothbrush) so the snails don't park themselves over it. In the event of a power outage, you don't want anything blocking that hole.

 

[Steverino]

yes, 2-3 holes are the best bet.

 

[drummereef]

Ok, since nobody posted the link...

Everything sump -
http://www.melevsreef.com/links.html