Sump setup help

[Jayson Ledbetter]

need some advice setting up a sump. It's a 30 gallon sump on a 120 gallon tank. What all does everybody like running in there sump. I seen some people running rubble rock in the chamber with the overflow. (As u can tell this is my first sump, lol) Do i need sand in the refugium or can I just use some live rock rubble? Also I will be drilling my tank this weekend. Should I drill for the return pipe too, or use a hang over tank hose for the return. Also I have a Jebao DCS 7000 return pump, what should my overflow size be. Sorry if these are stupid questions, but like I said this is my first sump, lol.

 

[Ebone]

Drill both overflow and return. No reason not to if already drilling... i keep some spare live rock and rubble in sump.. filters and works for frag plugs. I dont use sand or anything i like it bare bottom for ease of cleaning. I have a 40 breeder with herbie setup. 2 1 inch drains and 3/4 return. Not sure sizing for you but sure some one will chime in

 

[theMeat]

Skimmer and filter sock in first chamber. Mud with some sand on top for macro in second chamber. Third chamber for return pump and any reactors you will run.

Get an overflow like this. Fail said and dead silent. And takes up little real estate in the display
http://synergyreef.com/product/16-shadow-overflow/

 

[Jayson Ledbetter]

That's really nice, have u got one of those?

 

[theMeat]

Yes, and have installed them on many other tanks too. Comes with a template for drilling. Uses a bean animal type plumbing design. Which is like Herbie design but with added pipe for emergency. Dead silent

Rocks in sump is good. Growing macro on mud is better, I.e. Refugium. Removes more nitrate plus phosphates, and doesn't start to release nitrates once saturated as rocks do. As well running refuge light at night when display tank lights are off will help with daily ph swings.

 

[Jayson Ledbetter]

I will definitely check these out, really really appreciate the help. So it's better to go with mud and some macro algae? Thank u

 

[Jayson Ledbetter]

Yes, and have installed them on many other tanks too. Comes with a template for drilling. Uses a bean animal type plumbing design. Which is like Herbie design but with added pipe for emergency. Dead silent

Rocks in sump is good. Growing macro on mud is better, I.e. Refugium. Removes more nitrate plus phosphates, and doesn't start to release nitrates once saturated as rocks do. As well running refuge light at night when display tank lights are off will help with daily ph swings.

Also after drilling the two 1.5" for the overflow , how big will I have to drill the return? 1"?

 

[Ebone]

I should have clarified, I keep the rock in with chaeto, for a fuge...

 

[theMeat]

Think of the rock, or rock rubble in sump as a bank. When new/empty it can be filled with nitrates. Once filled up to capacity it can take no more it will start to release. Debris will get caught up in it and break down into un wanted nutrients too. You could change out potions of it or clean it periodically to avoid that, but then you clean out Mulm which small amounts of are good..
Better off with marinepur block if no refuge is your plan

Think of a refugium as a way of packaging the nitrates, plus phosphates, into something that can be easily removed without disturbing your bio capacity. The macro grows by consuming nitrates and phosphates. You remove some macro once the fuge is full and take out all the nutrients they consumed with it. You leave some macro in refuge so it continues to grow. A couple of inches of mud will equal 3-4 times the amount of sand in terms or anaerobic pockets that also help with removing nitrates. Mud will also slowly release trace elements into water column.

 

[theMeat]

Also after drilling the two 1.5" for the overflow , how big will I have to drill the return? 1"?

3/4 is plenty for a 120, but 1" would work too. If you use 3/4 than you can screw a loc line https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/loc-line-male-npt-connector.html return right into a thread x thread bulkhead like this https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/bulkhead-abs-thread-x-thread.html.
That reef synergy overflow is also sold on that BRS website for same price, and comes with all the drain bulkheads you will need. BRS also sells the glass drill bits, and you will need one 1.5 inch valve for drain, would recommend a gate valve, which BRS also has.

 

[theMeat]

Also after drilling the two 1.5" for the overflow , how big will I have to drill the return? 1"?

Oh, it’s two, 2.5 inch holes you must drill for reef synergy shadow overflow. Not 1.5

 

[FLSharkvictim]

I would go with a little refuge with some WaltSmith Fiji Mud along with some Cheato.

 

[Jayson Ledbetter]

I would go with a little refuge with some WaltSmith Fiji Mud along with some Cheato.

I ended up going live sand, and cheato and some dragons breath i fragged from my Refugium out of my 125