Sump Help Please

[tsouth]

Hey guys I need some help with building a future sump and getting rid of my wet dry. I've attached a picture of a rough draft. I just need to know the dimensions of the baffles (width and height) and if the lengths of each section will be okay. I do know to keep the baffles 1 - 1 1/2 inches apart and the middle one 1 - 1 1/2 inches off the bottom. From what I understand, the height of the baffles is what the water level for each section is going to be right? The skimmer's footprint is 10"x9" and I don't think I really want to keep a SB or any chaeto in there for the time being. Also do I need a light above my fuge for the live rock rubble? I believe the overflow is rated at 300 gph. The return pump is a catalina 1800 (635gph) with a gate valve attached to regulate flow. Well I think that's it. Thanks for any help!

[Otty]

It looks good but you want to keep in mind how much water is going to drain in there when the power goes out. You need to do some test and see how much water comes out of your display tank before it quits so you make sure that your baffle height is not too high and you have plenty of room for the water.

[tsouth]

I've come up with a new sketch. I had the baffles on the wrong sides.

[Tangster]

What size is the main tank, what size will the sump be and are you making a sump or a refugium ?

[Otty]

I would drop the baffle walls down some because that only leaves you 3" of water placement when the power goes off the and OF drains. Then again, like what Tangster asked..how big is your display??

[tsouth]

Display is a 55g and sump is a 20 long. I'm still contemplating on whether or not I want a fuge. Is it really that beneficial? I'll drop the walls down to 7" because I do not want to raise the skimmer any.

[Tangster]

What pump will you be using for the main return back to the tank ? and is the tank drilled or will it be set up with a Hang on overflow ? Baffles is something I never found the need for. Unless you intend in using some foam sponge as a mechanical filter. I set one sump up once and made baffles and all that stuff and that was the last one I made for myself. And yes a refugium is one of the most bennificial systems you could ever add to a reef tank.. As for the size of the sump a 10 is all you need and a 5 or 10 gallon somthing for a refugium would be perfect..

[tsouth]

I will be using an overflow design. The pump is a ca1800 rated at 635gph but will be T'd off with a gate valve. Thanks for the help man

[Z-Ice]

Take a look at my thread for ideas. I went thru what you are doing right now. One thing I learned. Overflow is the key. If you do not have water in your tank, drill holes!!. If not you are stuck like me. Hangon, overflows are not to be trusted. I finally got mine working. A must for the overflow is(CD-16904 Aqua Lifter Pump):
Continuous Siphon Overflow Very cheap here: only $8.79

With a 20L you will not have much space for your protein skimmer. I placed mine outside the sump. Hangon the sump. It works great!

Sump
Sump design

Overflow
Overflow problem??


Zak
----
55 Gallon Glass Aquarium; 20L Sump; 1-UV Sterilizer-(sump); Coralife Super Skimmer 65(sump); 260 W Compact Fluorescent Lighting; 2-Power heads; 20 lbs live rock; 2-Ocellaris Anemonefish; 2-Fire Goby; 1-Royal Dottyback; 1-Blue Tang; 2-Banggai Cardinalfish; 1-Green Mandarin; 20 Blue Hermit Crabs; 8-Turbo Snails ; 2-Bubble Anemones; 1-Seabay Anemones; 1-Yellow Hand Coral; 1- Polyp; 5-Green Strip Mushroom; 2-Sandsifting Starfish;

[bawest]

I agree with Z-Ice. I have a 55 gallon with only a 10 gallon sump. I've divided it with one baffle one baffle to remove most of the air bubbles fromt he return....I put my protein skimmer on the outside of the tank because of a lack of room.

I used another piece of plexiglas for a divider on the front of the tank for my "fuge"(and I use this term loosely).

I plan on putting in a real fuge some day.