Will this sump design work?

[charnkiat]

I would like to have maximum water volume possible, but space doesn't permit. So I came up with this design. But will it work? Any comment will be much appreciated. Thank you.

 

[fishybudguy]

looks great i dont see any reason why it wouldnt work....good luck

 

[spleify]

The only thing I would change is, before the return pump you only have two baffles that go over, under. I would add another one, so they will go over, under, over.

Other than that it looks good.

Good luck

 

[cdbias2]

It will work but,
That will need to be a low flow sump because all of the flow is passing through the refugium section.
It looks like your refugium is going to hold around 15 gallons so that even a small return pump of 350gph would be 23x turnover inside the refugium section.
Much higher than that would likely suck your cheato into your baffles and cause a clog.

 

[charnkiat]

... so they will go over, under, over.

like this?

It will work but,
That will need to be a low flow sump because all of the flow is passing through the refugium section.
It looks like your refugium is going to hold around 15 gallons so that even a small return pump of 350gph would be 23x turnover inside the refugium section.
Much higher than that would likely suck your cheato into your baffles and cause a clog.

Awww ... my return pump will be 1250gph (Already bought). >.<*

 

[Jonny Roks]

that will be alot of flow

 

[cdbias2]

Swap the refugium section with the return pump section, then from the return pump, put a tee with a valve to feed the refugium. This way the water is filtered before it enters the refugium (to stop detritus build -up) and you'll be able to control the flow to the refugium.

 

[spleify]

IMO that looks better and should work. I would also agree that that return pump might be a bit oversized.

 

[Jonny Roks]

i would just swap it for a smaller return pump if possible.

 

[charnkiat]

Swap the refugium section with the return pump section, then from the return pump, put a tee with a valve to feed the refugium. This way the water is filtered before it enters the refugium (to stop detritus build -up) and you'll be able to control the flow to the refugium.

If I swap the refugium section with the return pump section (move the return pump section to the center, so to speak), would I have to set up 2 sets of over/under/over baffles, one on each side, to prevent micro bubbles?

By the way, what if I don't put chaeto? What if I just put live rocks and live sand in the refugium? Would it reduce the water quality a lot?

 

[spleify]

By the way, what if I don't put chaeto? What if I just put live rocks and live sand in the refugium? Would it reduce the water quality a lot?

What do you mean here? If you have a section that can house a macro algae, then I would utilize it and use for just that.

IMO, yes baffles on both sides would be beneficial to help eliminate micro bubbles. This also takes up extra space, and that is why I don't like putting the return in the middle. The same can be achieved by just using a "T" coming off you return line, feeding back into the refugium section....or just use a smaller return pump. A good general rule of thumb is 3-5X total tank volume turn over through the sump per hour.

HTH

 

[MAMGM]

Swap the refugium section with the return pump section, then from the return pump, put a tee with a valve to feed the refugium. This way the water is filtered before it enters the refugium (to stop detritus build -up) and you'll be able to control the flow to the refugium.

+1 on this. That's what I have and it works great. bubble trap from skimmer to return section and spillway from fuge to return section

 

[charnkiat]

Okay, how about this? Would this do the trick? But by doing this, I have to use 2 filter bags for each down pipe to prevent debris.

A good general rule of thumb is 3-5X total tank volume turn over through the sump per hour.
HTH

For some reason, people down here believes in 10x volume turn over. (here=Thailand, hence chiller not heater )

 

[spleify]

I personally like the second pic you posted, simple and easy.

10 times will probably work, but it just doesnt offer that much touch time with the things in your sump/refuigium.

The faster the water flows through there, the less effective your skimmer, macro algae and chiller will be.

 

[cdbias2]

Your putting a tee on the drain line.
My suggestion was to tee the return line and feed the refugium with that line and let the refugium gravity flow into the return section.

 

[Bayliner]

Your putting a tee on the drain line.
My suggestion was to tee the return line and feed the refugium with that line and let the refugium gravity flow into the return section.

I am setting up my first sump/refugium as well and can't figure out if I should T the drain line or return.

I was thinking it would be better to feed the refugium with tank water instead of the clean skimed water.

Just a thought...

Cam

 

[cdbias2]

Teeing the drain line into the refugium leads to detritus build-up.

 

[Chiefsurfer]

honestly the absolute easiest thing I can see to do, is to trade that pump in for something in the range of ABOUT 350 gph AFTER head losses, and use diagram 1. That will produce something ABOUT 15x turnover through the chiller skimmer compartment, and 10x through the refugium. That's probably your easiest fix, and use the 3-baffle design vs the 2.

 

[charnkiat]

Ok then. Thanks all for the advice. Seems like I will going to exchange the pump for a smaller one.

By the way, people here also believe in using skimmer that is capable x3 larger than the tank water volume. Would that explain the x10 return pump?

 

[7Dragons7]

Instead of changing the pump you could add a second pipe (same level) from your skimmer section and send it directly to the return section. I would then just add a valve that goes to the refugium section.