DIY 20g Long Sump Design Question

I am going to build my own 20g long sump since I can't find one to buy on CL. Any changes you would make to my proposed design (picture attached)?

It's for a 75 gallon DT and I plan to split my down feed, so that I can control the flow to the refugium portion.

I've never built a sump before, so any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

It looks good to me.

 

Looks good. Good luck with the build.

 

Do you have your skimmer picked out yet?

I would wait till you buy your skimmer before you build the sump for 2 reasons:

1. you can make your skimmer section the perfect size for that skimmer, instead of making it too big (wasted space) or too small (start over again).

2. Find out at what water level your skimmer performs best at then you can set the level of that chamber with the first baffel. So if it performs best at 8in. your first baffel will be 8in. tall.

 

Yes I do- its a EuroReef RS135. It has a 10" x 11" footprint and performs best at 6.5" of water. I plan to put a stand underneath it as I would like my sump to hold a greater amount of water (hence the 9" first baffle).

Thanks for the watchout though! I'm sure there are a lot of people that make that mistake.

 

Good. Than I think the sump design looks good. I tend to side on the side of caution and like less water in the sump for more flood protection.

 

Very Easy to do what you want. Get some 3/32" glass at Home Depot or lowes and a $6 glass cutter. Cut it to size and silicone it in. I made a sump myself out of a 20 long. Check out my thread or my photos(link in signature). Like I said, it's very easy. Just make sure you get the right kind of silicone.

 

I think the return section is too small. You will notice the evaporation of the tank expressed here. With only 7", you may be filling the return area alot. You don't want the return pump drawing air.

 

+1 on the return section, I would make as large as possible. If you look at my bowfront build it has a picture of the sump im using, it is a 20 long also, and I have to top off about a gallon everyday to everyother day. I also don't have any sort of top on my tank.



Can't remember what the size of the return was but it is the chamber furthest to the left, I think it is 6" but not totally sure. If I would have known I probably would have added at least 3-4" to return and made the baffles taller. Just my 2 cents but your design looks good.

 

3/32"? Why so small? I would suggest at least 3/16", probably 1/4" glass.