Sump optimization

eben · Apr 18, 2020

What does the pro's think of this sump? The outside dimensions will be 21" x 18". What will the optimal dimensions be for the inside chanbers?
Will it function optimally. Any flaws? All comments, critisism, suggestions and advice welcome!

Idoc · Apr 18, 2020

I'm not sure how the flow in the refugium will be with the flow having to move 180 degrees into the return chamber. My guess is that it will be high flow near the sharp turn corner and slow in the actual corners of the refugium. I'm not sure this will give you a good "tumble" of any chaeto...or how it would react to that flow.

Maybe just have the refugium be separate from the main flow through the sump. For example, have your drain mainly input into the skimmer section that will then go to the return. Then have a separate drain with less flow from the DT go into the refugium (controlled by a valve so you can control the flow in the refugium) which would go over a baffle and either dump directly into the return pump section of have it dump into the skimmer section if you want that water skimmed as well.

eben · Apr 19, 2020

Idoc said:
I'm not sure how the flow in the refugium will be with the flow having to move 180 degrees into the return chamber. My guess is that it will be high flow near the sharp turn corner and slow in the actual corners of the refugium. I'm not sure this will give you a good "tumble" of any chaeto...or how it would react to that flow.

Maybe just have the refugium be separate from the main flow through the sump. For example, have your drain mainly input into the skimmer section that will then go to the return. Then have a separate drain with less flow from the DT go into the refugium (controlled by a valve so you can control the flow in the refugium) which would go over a baffle and either dump directly into the return pump section of have it dump into the skimmer section if you want that water skimmed as well.

What about if I add a power head in the refugium to create more flow towards the back?

Idoc · Apr 19, 2020

eben said:
What about if I add a power head in the refugium to create more flow towards the back?

You could give that a try and see how it works!

I made my sump: Drain/Skimmer area --> Refugium --> Return Section -- I wished I hadn't put the refugium in the middle of the flow, though. I can't control the rate of flow through the refugium in this configuration. I've been thinking of tearing it out and re-designing it as: Drain/Skimmer --> Return section <-- Refugium where a could control the flow into the refugium better with a T off my drain line to the refugium (with a valve).