300+ gallon sumps

hondacbr600rr

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Working on my filtration plans for my 310 gallon tank I’m installing and working on sump plans.

I plan to also connect a second tank, 80-125 gallons to this common sump, so I wanted to make sure it can accommodate both the filtration/equipment and overflow for about a 450 gallon system.

I have a 60”x40” footprint to fit the sump.

I like the Rubbermaid stock tank idea but I think I may want something with baffles.
 

JumboShrimp

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Sounds like fun. Clarify it for me a bit... you will have one 310 gallon DT and a connected (?) 125 gallon second tank, both of which will spill into a giant dump that can itself hold up to 450 gallons? (That would be one massive sump.) 😳
 
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hondacbr600rr

hondacbr600rr

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Sounds like fun. Clarify it for me a bit... you will have one 310 gallon DT and a connected (?) 125 gallon second tank, both of which will spill into a giant dump that can itself hold up to 450 gallons? (That would be one massive sump.) 😳
Sorry for my confusing post. I will have the 2 tanks both connected to the same sump, and it needs to be able to accommodate the back flow for a power outage/ feeding time. I know I can install check valves, but also know they can fail, so I figured whatever the amount that will back flow needs to be able to fit into the sump as well. I was thinking the sump would be around 75-150 gallons total.
 

hatfielj

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I'm putting together a ~700 gallon system that will be composed of a 450 gallon display and a ~140 gallon frag tank. The sump I chose to use is 84 x 24 x 16 (if filled to the top can hold about 140 gallons)
Check valves on the return lines is important, but also, keeping the return plumbing inside the display really close to the surface of the water is important too, that way if the check valve fails, the returns won't have more than a inch or two of water to drain from the tanks.
 

JumboShrimp

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@hondacbr600rr , now I can follow. Lol. I've always found that the trick to having sufficient 'room' in the sump for overflow is to have the return flanges (e.g., Loc Line) pointed to skim the tank's surface. Not only does it aerate the water, but as soon as water backflows by about an inch's depth it is functionally out of water and you've only drained minimal gallons into the sump. 😉
 
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hondacbr600rr

hondacbr600rr

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@hondacbr600rr , now I can follow. Lol. I've always found that the trick to having sufficient 'room' in the sump for overflow is to have the return flanges (e.g., Loc Line) pointed to skim the tank's surface. Not only does it aerate the water, but as soon as water backflows by about an inch's depth it is functionally out of water and you've only drained minimal gallons into the sump. 😉
I agree, that’s how I have my returns on my tank now. I just figured extra room in the sump to be safe is helpful.
 

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