Sump plans

[OutsideBrian]

I am putting together a 65g and want to build a sump for it.
Is there a guide for calculating how many gallon tank I should use, heights between sections etc?
The last thing I want to do is flood my floor.

 

[Scotty Buttons]

Generally you want a sump that's as big as what will comfortably fit in the space allowed. As far as flooding you'll have to try and figure out how much water will continue to drain from your DT after shutting off the return pump and make sure your sump has room for that additional water. What type of overflow will you be using? That'll help determine your set up. Id say generally you will probably need room in the sump for 2 or 3 extra gallons. Hope this helps and keep asking those questions!

 

[Jvesche20]

How deep is the return line going into your water? All the water from the top down to the lowest part of the return line that’s in the water will be sucked into your sump. I have a 125G and a 25G that run into a 45G sump. I still have about 10-15 gallons left when I turn everything off. What you can do is put a hole in your return line I’ll show a pic so that way Instead of draining down to the bottom of the return line it will go to where that hole is.

So with that pic all the water from the bottom to the top of the tank will be put into the sump. But if you add a hole in the middle like shown in the pic then it’s from the hole and up. Don’t know if this makes sense but I added the hole in the back so you can’t see it that’s why I drew it in

 

[OutsideBrian]

I’ll have to get a picture when I get home tonight. The lowest part of the drain is 19” high, but there is a hole at the top of the fitting similar to yours, so that would be 21” high I think.
Not sure what the name of my drain style is, it’s a corner overflow with two standing pipes, a drain and fill.

 

[Scotty Buttons]

What you want to look for is the lowest part of the return line not the drain. And figure out how far below the surface of the water your return line is. Then you can figure out about how much water your tank will continue to drain. My return is just below my water surface so I only lose about 2 gallons of water from my 36 gallon bowfront.

 

[Scotty Buttons]

Ive built a couple DIY sumps but am by no means a expert, I just do what's worked for me. I just finished this one too replace the existing one on my 36 gallon bow front. It's a 15 gallon glass tank. Basically just have a tower I built on the left to hold a filter sock the large space in the middle will be a refugium and where I put my HOB skimmer then one baffle on the right to separate the refugium from the return chamber. That last baffle will determine the water level in the sump. Alot of people put multiple baffles at the end where the water can flow over and under them to trap bubbles and to hold back their macro algae, I've never had a issue with that so I don't do it. I built this sump for about $60 that included the tank, 1/4" acrylic and silicone. I already had the filter socks and acrylic weld-on. Hope this helps

 

[OutsideBrian]

Ok here’s what I have.

 

[Tom Giddens]

I am confused about how high to make the baffles and how far apart? I have a 22" tank for the sump and I have a HOB skimmer and I would like to use the middle of the tank for refugium and return pump.

 

[OutsideBrian]

I am confused about how high to make the baffles and how far apart? I have a 22" tank for the sump and I have a HOB skimmer and I would like to use the middle of the tank for refugium and return pump.

I used a calculator online to figure out the gallons of each section and just subtracted the total from the sump volume. Then each section is one inch shorter than the previous.
I’ll take a picture of my plans when I get home. I’m going to end up using a 29 vs a 20L just for the added security of spare volume.

 

[OutsideBrian]

Anyone have any feedback if this seems viable?

 

[Tom Giddens]

Anyone have any feedback if this seems viable?

I would like to make my fuge as big as I can, is there somewhere that tells how much extra water volume you need around the skimmer and return pump so they don't suck their section dry?

 

[OutsideBrian]

I would like to make my fuge as big as I can, is there somewhere that tells how much extra water volume you need around the skimmer and return pump so they don't suck their section dry?

I’m new to this and was looking for help myself.

 

[Tom Giddens]

bump

 

[OutsideBrian]

bump

Here’s how mine turned out

 

[Tom Giddens]

Here’s how mine turned out

What is the water depth you can achieve with the adjustable baffle? I think my skimmer is 6-1/2 to 9"

 

[OutsideBrian]

What is the water depth you can achieve with the adjustable baffle? I think my skimmer is 6-1/2 to 9"

7 3/4 to 10 3/4

 

[Tom Giddens]

7 3/4 to 10 3/4

Thanks, so you just decide where you want the dividers and then silicone them on both sides?

 

[wangspeed]

Anyone have any feedback if this seems viable?

I would skip that first baffle in the fuge. Having it at 4” will allow water to stay stagnant near the bottom of the fuge and reduces the size at no added benefit. The bubbles should be long gone by then.

I’d also research bringing the last baffle near the return up more to cause a bit of flow near the top. This will keep that chamber from forming a film. Dumping your ATO in that chamber will also help.