Sump plans

[Ed77]

Just wondering what you guys would do different? Im planning my first sump build.

 

[Art2249]

Probably need a bubble trap before the return section.

 

[sbash]

Just to understand your decisions:

Why is the overflow chamber so large?

Why are the weirs different heights?

Have you accounted for the water from the pipes back flowing into the sump when the pump is turned off?

I would typically put the skimmer into the overflow chamber, which allows for a wider refugium... Although, if you do go this route most of the time with your style of overflow chamber, the water would flow under into the skimmer chamber, not over. If they flow over, they would typically flow into a filter sock chamber which then flows under into the skimmer chamber.

Keep in mind salt splash as well... If your skimmer weir is a 10", then the water from the overflow chamber will fall 3" and splash, which could eventually create a salty mess (outside the tank)... Salt creep can be a real issue if you can't clean it up easily (outside the tank)...

Also the trap before the pump should be closer to the bottom of the tank to minimise the bubbles making it through to the return pump.

 

[PWW]

Just to understand your decisions:

Why is the overflow chamber so large?

Why are the weirs different heights?

Have you accounted for the water from the pipes back flowing into the sump when the pump is turned off?

I would typically put the skimmer into the overflow chamber, which allows for a wider refugium... Although, if you do go this route most of the time with your style of overflow chamber, the water would flow under into the skimmer chamber, not over. If they flow over, they would typically flow into a filter sock chamber which then flows under into the skimmer chamber.

Keep in mind salt splash as well... If your skimmer weir is a 10", then the water from the overflow chamber will fall 3" and splash, which could eventually create a salty mess (outside the tank)... Salt creep can be a real issue if you can't clean it up easily (outside the tank)...

Also the trap before the pump should be closer to the bottom of the tank to minimise the bubbles making it through to the return pump.

I bet he is going to use a fleece roller in the overflow chamber, that's why its so wide....could be wrong though

 

[Ed77]

I bet he is going to use a fleece roller in the overflow chamber, that's why its so wide....could be wrong though

I actually am planning that upgrade. Thats why it's big

 

[Ed77]

Just to understand your decisions:

Why is the overflow chamber so large?

Why are the weirs different heights?

Have you accounted for the water from the pipes back flowing into the sump when the pump is turned off?

I would typically put the skimmer into the overflow chamber, which allows for a wider refugium... Although, if you do go this route most of the time with your style of overflow chamber, the water would flow under into the skimmer chamber, not over. If they flow over, they would typically flow into a filter sock chamber which then flows under into the skimmer chamber.

Keep in mind salt splash as well... If your skimmer weir is a 10", then the water from the overflow chamber will fall 3" and splash, which could eventually create a salty mess (outside the tank)... Salt creep can be a real issue if you can't clean it up easily (outside the tank)...

Also the trap before the pump should be closer to the bottom of the tank to minimise the bubbles making it through to the return pump.

I never thought of letting the water flow under. Thanks for pointing it out. I'll take any pointers I can get as this is my first build. My over chamber will likely have a arf 1 in it. I'm not sure of it's foot print yet.

 

[Ed77]

What else should I modify? Open to any suggestions. Thanks.

 

[MaiReef]

I would come into the refugium from the bottom and it will create automatic circulation. I would also make the skimmer and roller be in the same section. No reason for a wall there

 

[Hemmdog]

Make the skimmer section bigger. 8 inches wide is going to dramatically limit what skimmer you can fit. Most good ones are at least 10x11

 

[DesertReefT4r]

There is no need to separate the overflow drain and skimmer sections. You will want as much room for a skimmer as possible.

 

[cracker]

I would think the overflow is bigger than necessary, taking away from the refugium. You could combine the overflow & skimmer section saving even more room for the refugium .