Let’s talk about sumps!

[tbrown]

I grow Bubble Tip Anemones and have a pair of Clownfish in my refugium section.

 

[NCsalt]

If the display tank water level is rising it's something with the overflow/drain plumbing. Either the weirs are partially plugged up or the overflow u-tubes potentially have air or algae in them restricting flow.

A large mat of hair algae formed on the overflow box initially. I scraped 80 percent clean and snails wiped it shiny. The bottom and top weirs look very clean. What can I do if its air? It took forever to get plumbing so the return lines wouldn’t leak. I would hate to disassemble. What about opening up gate valve?

 

[tbrown]

A large mat of hair algae formed on the overflow box initially. I scraped 80 percent clean and snails wiped it shiny. The bottom and top weirs look very clean. What can I do if its air? It took forever to get plumbing so the return lines wouldn’t leak. I would hate to disassemble. What about opening up gate valve?

Do you have a hang on back or is your tank drilled?

 

[smitten with ocean life]

a Monet, kevin?

 

[smitten with ocean life]

I grow Bubble Tip Anemones and have a pair of Clownfish in my refugium section.

so do you keep a light on down there for them?

 

[tbrown]

so do you keep a light on down there for them?

Yeah. I've got my Noopsyche Mini running. And an auto feeder.

 

[NCsalt]

Do you have a hang on back or is your tank drilled?

Its a drilled factory Cade. The returns are dual and have anti syphon float valves which i know are installed correctly because when the tank return pump is turned off the back flow stops above the return line nozzles in the display.. Their is also a weir to keep the bottom grate from draining into sump during shutoff. The water stops draining right at lip of return main pipe in the overflow box.

The connector line i’m using from the return pump to hard plumbing is a RV/boat bilge type line that had to be cut a touch longer than the space so it has a little bend. Just throwing that out there. Seems to flow consistently through it. I don’t think the pump is varying on its own.

Sorry to take up the thread with my shenanigans.

 

[Ernie Mccracken]

The perfect sump has yet to be designed. The problem isn't the sump itself, but all the junk you end up hanging off and around it. Very rare to see one that doesn't look like a garage sale.

 

[kevgib67]

a Monet, kevin?

One of my favorite artists Jill!

 

[smitten with ocean life]

Its a drilled factory Cade. The returns are dual and have anti syphon float valves which i know are installed correctly because when the tank return pump is turned off the back flow stops above the return line nozzles in the display.. Their is also a weir to keep the bottom grate from draining into sump during shutoff. The water stops draining right at lip of return main pipe in the overflow box.

The connector line i’m using from the return pump to hard plumbing is a RV/boat bilge type line that had to be cut a touch longer than the space so it has a little bend. Just throwing that out there. Seems to flow consistently through it. I don’t think the pump is varying on its own.

Sorry to take up the thread with my shenanigans.

no youre great! this is all about sumps! would love to see pics of peoples sumps too

 

[UncommonSense]

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

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!

 

[smitten with ocean life]

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!

 

[ReefGal911]

i dont know about the rest of you, but i have a big sump and i LOVE it! for some reason it fascinates me lol. i love just sitting and watching stuff run and the different creatures i find down there. (yes, i know im strange ) what about you?
i would also love if someone would give a break down of the different areas in the sump. what they are for and the best place to put things

I haven't set one up yet. Researching it. Have a 125 gal. sitting on a stand I made. Any good places to learn about setting up a sump?

 

[1ocean]

i dont know about the rest of you, but i have a big sump and i LOVE it! for some reason it fascinates me lol. i love just sitting and watching stuff run and the different creatures i find down there. (yes, i know im strange ) what about you?
i would also love if someone would give a break down of the different areas in the sump. what they are for and the best place to put things

Hey Buddy. I am in the design stage of cutting up the 300 (96x30x24) to make a new sump *60x30x18)form the new bigger tank. The wider area should allow me to put things side by side. I will post pic of the progress on my thread when I begin the swap... Right now drilling/cutting and motaring the 150 pounds of pukani rock I got this weekend

 

[smitten with ocean life]

I haven't set one up yet. Researching it. Have a 125 gal. sitting on a stand I made. Any good places to learn about setting up a sump?

im hoping someone with more knowledge than me will chime in here with that info!

 

[smitten with ocean life]

Hey Buddy. I am in the design stage of cutting up the 300 (96x30x24) to make a new sump *60x30x18)form the new bigger tank. The wider area should allow me to put things side by side.

pics pics pics!!

 

[UncommonSense]

im hoping someone with more knowledge than me will chime in here with that info!

I’ll post some reference pics and links in a bit, when I’m finished cooking!

 

[Ernie Mccracken]

An old Vertex sump (RIP), one of my favorite designs.

 

[1ocean]

im hoping someone with more knowledge than me will chime in here with that info!

hmm..ask me ?
What are your goals and equipment you will be using

 

[1ocean]

An old Vertex sump (RIP), one of my favorite designs.

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