Sump/Fuge - Project - Getting Started!

[Marty]

That isn't a chamber. It's going to be a large radius PVC or a tall container where the water flows into, so the skimmer intake does not mix with the water coming out of the fuge. Don't want my pods skimmed off before they reach the DT.

[jcdillin]

Lookin good!

[Frizza]

Had a look and quickly put a design together, you can add valve's where appropriate but gives you another idea.

[Marty]

Originally Posted by Frizza

Had a look and quickly put a design together, you can add valve's where appropriate but gives you another idea.

Karma for the sketch Frizza, already have my baffles in though. :O) Just found out today I'm working this weekend and going to Kiev for 8 days.

I probably won't finish this weekend, but I'll post the pics that I can.

[Marty]

Ok, I FINALLY got a bit of time to work on my sump yesterday and today. It is up and running, but I can tell already that I do not like the flexible hose I am using. Restricts flow. Kink trouble. Anyways here is a few pics of my progress...


Since my overflow box has a slip in type female fitting for PVC (1") - I decided to use flexible hose - there had to be a modification. So here is the fittings I used to get me to a barbed end to accept my 1" ID hose.



Here is the completed product...


Here is my ghetto return (just until Tuesday when I get my directional setup). lol!


Here is the overflow plumbing out to the cabinet in the garage...


Here are the hoses coming out of the wall into the garage...


Here is the plumbing within the cabinet. It's ugly, but it works. I have about 7 gph flow going to the fuge on the right. That center chamber will house the skimmer. And obviously the left hand side is the return pump...

Here is the plumbing into the cabinet. I had to use that small clamp to get the hose to stay round. (another reason I am going to re-plumb with PVC once I get back from my trip)...


Here is after I added water. The level may look very high, but it is runing about halway up the glass right now after it found it's balance. If I lose power, the sump should able to take 10-12 gallons easy...


That's all I have for now. I'm watching the levels closely and everything seems to balance. My temp droped about 2.5 degrees during the time I was messing around with levels adding water. But the fish seem ok. I'll test all my parameters tomorrow after it has ran all night. I will also pick up a light for the fuge for a reverse lighting scedule. Probably another heater also to combat a bit of the heat loss from the trip to the garage.

Basically it is waiting time now to see how it goes and to make adjustments. So far so good. No leaks... Whew!!! Oh, probably will need to add a bit more sand too, it's not quite 5 inches deep. Will get some cheato and pods when I get the light and heater hooked up. Um, that's it for now I think. lol Any suggestion, comments are most welcome. Where did I go wrong? lol :O)

[Frizza]

It's looking great. You can now drop in your skimmer, heaters and install a small light over your fuge when you decide to put in some cheato. How are you planning to do your water changes? I put a t bar on my return pipe with a valve that goes back into the return section. The reason for this is when I do a water change (drain from the main tank) I can turn the sump valve so it wont run dry and also saves me keep turning it on and off. New water is added to the sump, I close the valve and the new water is pumped into the main display. This works quite well for me, so it might be worth looking at.

Great work.

[Marty]

Yup, going to put the skimmer in today. The light probably tuesday. I'm just going to siphon water from the return area and for water changes. I figure that will work ok.

[target001]

nice work on both the over flow and the sump
+1 from me

[Marty]

Thanks. I have a few more pics to post tonight. I added some Chaeto, pods, and my skimmer is installed.