Sump

[JasonCass]

Want to build my own Sump . I was told that you should not have your Sump water level any deeper then 12 inches. I want to do 16 inches and make a stand for my protein skimmer to keep it running around the 8 inch mark. I am also going to do a deep sand bed does this need to be raised closer to the top of the water aswell. Don't understand why the Sump water level should not be any higher then 12 inches please clarify. Thanks Jason

 

[davewbush]

I think you are mistaking a refudgium for a sump.

 

[bradbmbj]

Typically people put there sump level at 8 inches for the skimmer, but if you do the stand like you mentioned you can go as deep as you want, as for as the sand bed, you will want that in a separate area of your sump with baffles separating it from the brunt of the water flow from the drains.

 

[46FiatYamaha]

you don't want the water too high in the sump, because in a power outage, some water is still going to drain, and will need extra room to accomodate that without flooding. It's not a specific number though

 

[bradbmbj]

Just make sure you have enough head room when you raise the skimmer that high.

 

[JasonCass]

Thank you so much for your feed back. I just want as much water for my total system as possible. At 16 inches I will still have more then enough water capasity for a power outage. I am building a sump that is 59x36x24 divided in two. The water when running at 16 inches will be 147 gallons. The remainder will be 70 gallons for power outage. My display tank is only 115 gallons. I know the sump is crazy but I want to do somthing different and might add another tank on this later. For a refugium what do I need to do. Just wanted to put sand in containers for eazy removal does water level mater to this. Thanks Jason

 

[JasonCass]

Sorry for the length I forgot to say that my sump is going to be in the basement so space is not an issue. Thanks guys keep the info coming it is so appreciated, jason

 

[thecoralreefer]

Water level is mostly for skimmers but an external or a standed one changes that. Volume is good for stability. fuges work good and if you contain flow at the top for your cheato ball to roll it tends to stay cleaner. L/R is a good filler too for the anchoring of others like mango and Nori. I have some red nori I keep in my 29 bio. Just popped out of the rock one day.