Help with Sump Design

[Sacohen]

I'm building my first sump out of a 29 gallon tank I got at the Petco 1$/gallon sale back in January.

Here are my designs...

I'd like feedback please and don't hesitate to cut it to pieces.
It's the first time I've designed one and I'm sure it's got all sorts of flaws in it.

Or This

I think I like #2 better, although in #1 I was trying to get the water to go thru the filer sock and then get cleaned a little more with a sponge under the baffle going into the skimmer section.

 

[db7080]

2nd one IMO

 

[jmardis]

This is how none is set up

 

[Longnose Hawkfish]

I would go second. But remember the baffles will also take up space.

 

[Sacohen]

I know they will, but it's minimal.

 

[Fin]

I vote numer two also. It is very similar to my 20 long sump that I just finished for my small tank.

 

[Longnose Hawkfish]

Finished my sump today. I have two different tanks for my sump, but my main one just has a skimmer and return pump section.

 

[TonsOfun]

Design number two will minimize micro bubbles from your protein skimmer getting to your tank.

 

[Sacohen]

Finished my sump today. I have two different tanks for my sump, but my main one just has a skimmer and return pump section.

I'd like to see pictures if you can get some posted.

Design number two will minimize micro bubbles from your protein skimmer getting to your tank.

I was trying to figure out a way to get a bubble trap into option #1, but I would loose to much room as it is the return is a little smaller that I would like.

 

[wbrown]

I've set mine up a bit differently. Filter sock and skimmer to right, bubble trap and return pump to center. I tee'd off return to feed refugium on far left. Been setup a few years for an aggressives FOWLR. I use the refugium to house small specimens and allow to grow out prior to placing in DT. Photo is from mock up period.

 

[Sacohen]

I got it built a bout a month ago, but just tested it today for leaks and only 2 small ones for my 1st time cutting glass and building a sump.
I put some more silicone over the leak areas and it should be fine now,

It's not the prettiest thing, but it will work...

 

[Longnose Hawkfish]

Sacochen, sorry I didn't read your post. Still want me to post pics?

 

[Longnose Hawkfish]

And I spelt your name wrong. ;) and your sump looks nice!

 

[Sacohen]

No problem.
You can post a pix if you want.
If anything it may help others.

 

[Fin]

Is that 1/8" glass that you used on the baffles? If so, be really careful working around it. That stuff is very fragile and won't take much to break it. I would have suggested going with 1/4" plate instead.

 

[Sacohen]

It is 1/8" glass. Someone one one of the threads I had been looking on and reading said it should be fine.

Worse cones to worse, it breaks and I rip it out and redo it with 1/4".

I was actually thinking of using 1/4" acrylic since it's easier to work with.

 

[VicD81]

I actually built 2 sumps. I was really proud of my first one made it out of a 40 Breeder and 1/4 acrylic for baffles. Then I cracked the glass with the bulkhead to the external pump and had to build another with improvements (Incorporated "teeth").

The bottom right has a little baffle so that the skimmer which will sit right next to it doesn't ingest unnecessary bubbles. The next compartment is the fuge followed by a bubble trap and last the return.

 

[Fin]

It is 1/8" glass. Someone one one of the threads I had been looking on and reading said it should be fine.

Worse cones to worse, it breaks and I rip it out and redo it with 1/4".

I was actually thinking of using 1/4" acrylic since it's easier to work with.

Glass is actually very easy to work with, if you have the right (very inexpensive) tools and a little practice. All you need to cut glass is a good quality glass scribe, some cut run pliers and a straight edge. Mark it, scribe it and a squeeze of the pliers and you are done with the cut. It is seemingly a lost art, but some of us old reefers still prefer to work with glass. :) To take the mystery out of it for others, here are a few pics I took when I was building my new sump.

The jaws of the cut run pliers.

Center the pliers over the center of the scribe and begin applying pressure until the cut runs to the other end of the piece.

The cut is quick and clean.

A quick pass with some sandpaper to smooth out the sharp edges and you are done.

 

[Sacohen]

Nice work VicD81.

Thanks for the tips Fin.

 

[lemonyx]

One I built for a member, just a little bit bigger but same principal