Sump question

[Kraig]

I have a question about functionality of a sump I'm considering building.

I have an existing 20 gallon long with a baffle kit. It crowds the underside of my tank a bit from end to end. I have room front to back so I'm wanting to come up with something shorter and wider, which the attached image is.

I don't want to redo my plumbing, so in order to do that the drain pipes would have to go where I have them shown on the attached sketch. That drain area ends up being fairly big for what it is because of the current configuration.

Will having the drain area that large cause any issues such as excess nutrient build up before flowing into the filter sock area? I'm thinking it will be fine because of the high flow draining into the sump in that area, but don't really know. My only experience with a sump is my current one.

I'm not even sure I'm going to end up doing this, and I could easily end up changing the current configuration but the overall length (25") and width (16") will have to stay about the same, as well as the current location of the existing drain pipes.

I also have to figure out the logistics of having a brace around the top and making that work with drain pipes, socks, skimmer etc.

I

 

[Subsea]

What is your goal with this modifications?

If it’s live food for the tank, I would remobe the filters and protein skimmer, add live rock and call it a cryptic refugium.

 

[Kraig]

What is your goal with this modifications?

If it’s live food for the tank, I would remobe the filters and protein skimmer, add live rock and call it a cryptic refugium.

The only goal is to change the dimensions of my existing sump. The one I have is longer than I would like and limits my ability to get into the control panel area. This basic size would give me an extra 5" which would make getting into the control box much easier. I currently have about 2" and I have to move my ATO reservoir out of the way when I have to access anything.