Sump Schematics

[BigDMcQ]

Hey Everyone, Im planning to convert my 29g convict tank into a saltwater aquarium at some point in the future, so I wanted to get all of the real thinking out of the way. I have a 10g that will fit in my stand that I want to use as a sump to increase my overall capacity to around 38g.


So far the plan is:

Build a counter-current PVC skimmer that is 6" in diameter. My total height in the lower cabinet is around 26" I was planning on feeding this with water from an overflow on the tank.

I plan on following these plans for my overflow:
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?311243-DIY-Overflow-Ver-9999

I figure I don't have to but feel the urge to upgrade it to 1.25" and 2.5" I just want to get all the flow I can.

I don't know exactly how much sand and rock to put in, but its about 6inches of tank length and 3 inches of depth in the diagram. I have read around that you want flow around the sand/rock so that some water can bypass it. Is this design enough?

How much total rock/sand should I put in here? I plan to have rock and sand in the tank as well.

Fourth I put some foam media in the schematic because I have just always had it in my filters, is it necessary? Should I remove it?

Finally, I am planning on using 260gph pump to power this all.

Is this really all I need for filtration? Any helpful tips would be appreciated.


Finally, a few side questions:
Whats the point of the baffles? people call them bubble traps and a bunch of other things, but it seems to me they mostly set water height in the tank. Right now Ive got it at around 10" across the tank.

Thanks a bunch

 

[BigDMcQ]

Sorry, I was having issues accessing the attacked image so I hosted it. But I couldnt edit the post either, so that may have something to do with it.

 

[BigDMcQ]

bump, bad timing for my first post, I'd really appreciate input, even is its just "looks good" lol

 

[erictorres0311]

have you done any changes to it

 

[mkj]

How about getting creative since its such a small sump. This works for me and much easier and cheaper. Also its what all the cool kids are starting to due, :fun4:

Get rid of the skimmer and refugium. Put in algae scrubber instead. You can make one for $50 for that small tank. Once set up correctly, no more water changes, and who loves water changes, NO ONE. This will help stabilize the salinity in that small tank because water changes in small tanks are difficult to keep stable perimeters, unless you really pay attention.

In the space you save from getting rid of skimmer and refugium you can put in an ATO and really stabilize your small system. Just a little drop in water from evaporation can have bad results in that size tank.

Savings: 1)No skimmer cost.
2)less cost for salt because no frequent water changes.

It does take a bit more effort to set up an algae scrubber correctly, but once it is, your golden. Or you can stick with the old tried and true skimmer but they getting dated. Just giving you an alternative setup to the usual old school stuff.

 

[erictorres0311]

How about getting creative since its such a small sump. This works for me and much easier and cheaper. Also its what all the cool kids are starting to due, :fun4:

Get rid of the skimmer and refugium. Put in algae scrubber instead. You can make one for $50 for that small tank. Once set up correctly, no more water changes, and who loves water changes, NO ONE. This will help stabilize the salinity in that small tank because water changes in small tanks are difficult to keep stable perimeters, unless you really pay attention.

In the space you save from getting rid of skimmer and refugium you can put in an ATO and really stabilize your small system. Just a little drop in water from evaporation can have bad results in that size tank.

Savings: 1)No skimmer cost.
2)less cost for salt because no frequent water changes.

It does take a bit more effort to set up an algae scrubber correctly, but once it is, your golden. Or you can stick with the old tried and true skimmer but they getting dated. Just giving you an alternative setup to the usual old school stuff.

I'm in the process of setting up a refuge/sump .... Do you have pic of your set up ? Would like to get as much info before i start buying and building somethin .