Help with Large Sump Design

[chome360]

Hi All, I'm struggling with making some key sump design decisions. Quick background, I have a 440 gallon peninsula tank being built, 86L x 42W x 28H. I'm going to have a sump built to go under the stand that will be 68L x 35.5W x 18H. Not to late to completely change the sump dimensions if needed. Bean animal drain from the display, 1.5 in and targeting 2,500gph turnover. I'm wanting a hybrid triton method. Started with a plan to have the drain go to four 7" socks, to a large Fuge, to a Skimmer, then return. I'm now sold on the idea of going with a Roller Mat instead of socks, but working that into what seemed like a simple sump design is confusing me. Especially with the width of my sump, and not wanting any overly wasted space or dead zones. So now I'm thinking I'll split that first chamber where the socks were going to be, push the roller mat to one side, main drain to the roller mat, secondary and emergency to the chamber next to it, and use that chamber for either socks, heaters, media, etc. But I'm not clear how I can go from lower water level in the first chambers, to higher water level in the refugium, than back to lower in the skimmer chamber and return chamber.

Some of the planned sump equipments is:

Roller Mat (Deltec VF10000)
Skimmer (Deltec 3000i)
Return Pump (Abyzz A200)

I'm also concerned about overcomplicating the design. Not entirely sure where I should have underflows, overflows, etc. I thought about putting the skimmer before the fuge, but it seems that for a hybrid triton method I'd risk not getting enough nutriets to the refugium and could hurt pod production. Seems like it would likely be fine either way.

Planning on a mixed reef, mostly SPS and LPS. Lots of tangs.

Would love some design input! I'm basically stuck and not sure how to proceed.

 

[mcarroll]

Are you basing this on your previous tank, or what is your starting point/inspiration for going this route?

IMO, you are definitely overcomplicating and overkilling on things, but maybe that's part of the ideal you have for the system. Some folks are more into the gear than the tank. There's no wrong way to enjoy reefing as long as the animals are happy...and they are pretty adaptable, to say the least.)

However, if you want some element of KISS in your design, I would probably re-begin from a plain Berlin Method design and see if you really need more than the base design calls for.

You may not. But if you do, hopefully it will be more clear where it will belong in the system and why.

 

[mcarroll]

What did you end up with?

 

[chome360]

What did you end up with?

So I haven't technically finalized the design and gotten the build started because I'm waiting for my custom built tank to arrive so I can exactly match the hole patterns (tank drain straight down to sump). But I more or less made a final decision to just keep the sump super simple. crash zone/sock area and I plan to make the sock plate removable so I can swamp to clarisea filter rollers later if I want. then it'll flow to a huge refugium chamber, then to a chamber for a large skimmer (likely a Deltec 3000i) then to a return chamber. Planning to go with Triton Method. Custom tank arrives in early June.

 

[chome360]

One piece I'm a little stumped on is if/how i can have the water level in the refugium section be higher than the sock section. I've been researching, looks like it's doable, but I can't find any real example...

 

[mcarroll]

i've seen some vendors install a pump in that wall to pump water in.

What does it mean to you that you want this to be Triton Method?

 

[chome360]

The TRITON Method — Reef Care Without Water Changes | TRITON

ICP testing, personalised dosing, and a complete reef care system. No water changes required. Trusted by 500,000+ analyses since 2008.

www.triton.de

 

[mcarroll]

I was asking why you are doing it not what it is.

What are you hoping to get out of it? (... say, versus the Berlin method, for example.)

 

[chome360]

I was asking why you are doing it not what it is.

What are you hoping to get out of it? (... say, versus the Berlin method, for example.)

Ah, my mistake. You said what does it mean so I wasn't sure.

So I'm still relatively new to the hobby, about a year and a half in. So not a lot of previous experience too consider. Since I'm having a large custom tank built, and a custom sump, I needed to make some long term design decisions. So I did some research and tried it pin down exactly what approach I would take. Lots of methods out there, I was drawn to Triton Method mostly for simplicity. I'm likely to also sign on for their monthly ICP tests and trace element package.

My thinking is this is at least how I'm going to dive into the deep end of the hobby. I'm sure I'll learn and adjust from there.

 

[mcarroll]

I was drawn to Triton Method mostly for simplicity.

I agree simple is often best.

 

[areefer01]

Ah, my mistake. You said what does it mean so I wasn't sure.

They are using your response to more taylor the answer to your need. I know it may sound like answering a question by asking but it may help driving a better end result.

Part of the troubles we face in the hobby are personal bias and marketing. Sumps as you are finding out now do not need to be overly complicated. I've personally found the main challenges with pre-fab, over the counter systems, is one of space.

Space for my redundancy requirement and work area. Easy of access is important to me.