Let’s talk about sumps!

[NCsalt]

Probably this, given that it’s been a recurring issue! A system this large doesn’t swing in salinity that quickly!

It could be worth looking into a coarser set of socks!

Thank you! Maybe some 325s. Lower sensor and coarser socks will be next step. Thank you for everyone who has chimed in. I think you are right about volume and salinity. Even after 5 gallon dump over 24 hours my alk and calcium are still showing exactly the same from yesterday.

I really like my Tunze Chic Refugium light. It fits perfect. In Future i may get the full spectrum for frags in the other chamber beside the live rubble baskets!

 

[smitten with ocean life]

 

[smitten with ocean life]

this is my bit of chaos!

 

[Ernie Mccracken]

Its small...and compact...and when you need to upgrade to a big skimmer and other equipment this is when you run out room.
I do not like sectioned off sumps..my new design will have none

It's always cramped unless you have a fish room.

 

[NCsalt]

Is that white box an algae scrubber? Also is that CO2 scrubber worth it? I don’t have a PH probe currently but my Salifert says 8.2-8.3 so I havent been sure if I should get one. I also run my refugium light off cycle from display lights.

 

[smitten with ocean life]

yes, its an algae scrubber! i dont have a CO2 scrubber and know nothing about them. @Fish Styx has a pretty snazzy sump!

 

[NCsalt]

Ah i thought that line from that canister was going into your skimmer pump and just assumed CO2 scrubber.

 

[jackintheboxfish]

@smitten with ocean life love this thread you started. how come you decided to do an algae scrubber instead of a refugium?

 

[smitten with ocean life]

im actually not even running it currently because i want the nitrates. im just used to them is the only reason lol. i am wanting to learn how to grow chaeto though! i won some and am waiting to order it until i have a better understanding on what all it entails! i just love all the different stuff that you can do with sumps

 

[smitten with ocean life]

Ah i thought that line from that canister was going into your skimmer pump and just assumed CO2 scrubber.

the canister thats propped there is working at getting my phos a bit lower. it has some rowa phos in it.

 

[smitten with ocean life]

ok guys im headed to bed. to be continued! @That Crusso Kid can take over since hes stays up all night!

 

[UncommonSense]

So, reference photos:

— My first true sump; my old 75g tank with simple drain, refuge, and return… for my 180g freshwater tank, run right to left!

— Sump #2, a 40G breeder with one massive chamber, then a bubble trapped return chamber… originally planned to fit in my 35G hexagon’s table/stand, before I downsized to a 20G long tank with a very similar baffle layout (lost build pics of that, or possibly didn’t take any):

Next up, time to baffle out a pair of old 5’ x18”x18” acrylic tanks for my LFS as sumps for their 180g tanks…

— Design sketches:

— Saltwater sump:

— Freshwater sump:

Next up, a local reefing buddy’s professionally build sump, I just plumbed this one!

— Fiji 36:

— My current unused sump (and glass) stash, less two particularly odd sumps…

— Another professionally built sump I merely plumbed; @RobertK ’s Trigger Systems Sapphire 34 Triton:

— And finally, something a bit more unusual… a tank for my LFS that I effectively divided with a glass baffle, this glass baffle has monolithic weir teeth ground into it, allowing a HOB filter to intake on one side of the divider, and discharge on the other side…

 

[smitten with ocean life]

oh wow! this is great!

 

[That Crusso Kid]

ok guys im headed to bed. to be continued! @That Crusso Kid can take over since hes stays up all night!

Not all night. Half the night.

I shall summon some friends over to share their sumps.

#He#Heathensd #Cr#Cronieslet's see some sumps.

 

[fish_collector]

Perfect timing. I finally have a tank with a sump. Been running month and a half with tank transfer from my sumpless 40 breeder. I see the appeal now. Cade 1500 Peninsula. 210 total system. 32 gallon sump with refugium and TBS rubble in media chambers.

Now my issue. Water level in return chamber and my ATO. Went through 5 gallons in 24 hours just today.

I have moved the sensor a few times and still it pumps more than what i believe is evaporating. The display water area is higher return is lower. I think it is my filter socks clogging rapidly that is the main problem. 100 microns, clean almost every day but still back up the water.

So should i figure out the level in return at the clogging point level and have the sensor under that?

I have messed with this for a month. Return is Sicce 9 SDC running at 31 percent and i get my gate valve dialed but then continued ATO reservoir drain.

Pic of sump

Here is what is happening (assuming your drain pipe is submerged in the normal water level of the filter sock)... you run a filter sock that is getting dirty and the level in the sock rises when this happens, the rising water level in the sock creates more back pressure on the drain pipe and as a result the water doesn't drain down as fast causing the tank water level to increase, when the tank level increases it takes water from your return chamber and the ato adds more water, it doesn't take too long before you've added a bunch of unnecessary water to the system all because the filter sock is getting dirty. Either discontinue it's use altogether or use a coarser sock.

Fwiw, I had the same issue when I used an optical ato, I took it off and am now using a litermeter that adds a given amount of water only.

 

[mourningsage]

Thank you! Maybe some 325s. Lower sensor and coarser socks will be next step. Thank you for everyone who has chimed in. I think you are right about volume and salinity. Even after 5 gallon dump over 24 hours my alk and calcium are still showing exactly the same from yesterday.

I really like my Tunze Chic Refugium light. It fits perfect. In Future i may get the full spectrum for frags in the other chamber beside the live rubble baskets!

I have a Cade tank and found the same issues with the base filter socks, they would clog within 24hours and the water level would rise in that part.
I purchased 200 micron socks from amazon and replaced with them and never had an issue with it again.

 

[tbrown]

Not all night. Half the night.

I shall summon some friends over to share their sumps.

#He#Heathensd #Cr#Cronieslet's see some sumps.

No one wants to see my sump...

 

[Fish Styx]

yes, its an algae scrubber! i dont have a CO2 scrubber and know nothing about them. @Fish Styx has a pretty snazzy sump!

Are you trying to draw me out of my hidey hole?

 

[tbrown]

Are you trying to draw me out of my hidey hole?

 

[smitten with ocean life]

Are you trying to draw me out of my hidey hole?

yes and no! i just remember seeing pics of your fancy sump!