Sump redesign

[Duke4Life]

After my 2nd of 3 baffles giving way, I've decided now would be a great time to redesign. Only thing is my pump isn't internal and I'm set on adding an algae scrubber (finishing this project this weekend). Only other thing I'm adding within a few months is a skimmer.

I've attached a very basic drawing of my 20g long sump.

What would you do and why?

 

[jsker]

can't wait to see the finished product.

 

[mcarroll]

I'd say have it as completely open as you can.

I use no baffles in mine...I have a homebrew PVC bubble-trap for the drain water and that's it. Love it! :)

It's great having the room to do whatever you want. Unless you need a chamber with a higher water level than the base level where you set your ATO, I wouldn't put any walls up at all. (And the ATO is probably set to your skimmer's preferred depth when you do it this way. Works great!)

 

[Duke4Life]

Anyone have sand in their sump for all the little critters down there? Picked up a filter sock to replace the large filter pads I have been using.

 

[Duke4Life]

How do I save all the critters I see? They are everywhere and would like to save.

 

[Duke4Life]

Thinking of pulling the remaining divider, any cons in doing? Going to replace with a plastic bin with sand and caulerpa prolifera and shorten the return section is what I've got drawn up. The plastic bin is so that it's easy to remove if I choose.
Going to build a filter sock holder tomorrow, any cons in using only 1?

 

[Duke4Life]

Here's my 1st new addition, did away with the drainage split I had. I'll add my algae scrubber so that it drains into this.

 

[Duke4Life]

Note 2 self: Much bigger sump next time.