A Simple Sump

[Kooma]

Hey all,

I am working on a sump design for my 225 and would love to hear your take of what you would do. Here is the scenario.

I have a steel frame and a tank that fits perfectly inside, this is a 1/2" glass rimless 48x26x16 that I would like to divide up with DIY baffles. Every time I look at it, I think about how I can simplify it and the benefits vs drawbacks. I started with a U shaped water flow, multiple little chambers and a bunch of features. The cost of glass and the effort of the complexity to build and maintain drove me to simplify.

First idea was 25% of it for ATO Res, one large chamber making up about half to be the skimmer and heater and other equipment area (possibly a fleece roller down the road) and then the last 25% a return chamber.

Then I was thinking, maybe split the skimmer area into two for a fuge, that would be helpful.

Then I was thinking, maybe just a single level sump, 9" deep and do it all in one. My QT runs this way, and I have no complaints, but that uses a 10 gallon for the sump so water top off isnt as big of an issue.

Right now I am debating with a 15" tall pane on one end for 25% of it as a ATO, then a 9" baffle for the return to decrease return chamber volume, and the rest just a fuge and skimmer using a divider between for flow.


I cant make up my mind, so I need your input.

 

[Lasse]

I use two chambers - that´s enough IMO

Sincerely Lasse

 

[BryanM]

However fits your needs honestly. My first tank I gutted the sump, just big level.

Now I have socks, one big level, and a return pump chamber.

 

[twentyleagues]

I do like a couple "dedicated" areas skimmer, fuge, return. Keep the ato separate imo. I have run just a tank no baffles on larger tanks I dont like it for a few reasons but there are ways to do it to make it less hassle.

 

[UncommonSense]

I’m a fan of less chambers, and thus less dividers in the way of working on/placing things in the sump!

— I’d go for an external ATO

—large return pump chamber if doing frequent small water changes so system doesn’t have to be shut down for maintenance… (small return chamber if you plan to shut down return pump for water changes)

— decide on filter socks vs. fleece vs. roller mat to design the drain/mechanical filter chamber around those needs

— I usually like one large refuge/equipment chamber right after the drain/mechanical filtration, running the highest water level I can safely run… I stick the skimmer on a stand in here to get it at target operating water height…

— heater can also go in refuge chamber, or drain chamber

— you basically only “need” three chambers, if the skimmer is on a stand! (Just do your math to make sure running a higher water height in >= 2/3 of the sump area isn’t going to cause an overflow during a power outage!)