Sump design

Thanks

I am slowing down. Today I built, well kinda built my overflow. I guess only the outer half.

http://www.z-ice.com/Aquarium/sump/DSC01930.JPG

I do not want to be forced to redo my sump. I think the design is ok but ... ok I just reread what Otty wrote. Ok my confusion. Please clarify for my stupidity:

Based on:
http://www.z-ice.com/Aquarium/sump/sump.jpg

Why is it based on the tiny baffle before the return? It should be based on the overflow of the baffle by the protein skimmer? I must be dumb? When the pump takes water out: left and middle chambers should be the same.

Otty stated it is based on the tiny baffle.? I understand the water level must be over the tiny baffle for the return area to fill up. If I initialize the sump with the water level higher it should remain at the same level.(correct?)[I do have an ATO]

So, I am assuming Otty is correct, I should switch the tiny baffle(2nd from left) with the fourth baffle(one next to skimmer)? Correct?? [I must have a high level for the skimmer. Keep a constant water line]

Could I just replace the tiny baffle with another one similar to protein one? I wanted a smaller one so pump never runs out of water.(less of a chance)

Thanks,
Zak

 

This will be something like you have. Notice the water level



I built one of these 20L's for a 55g I used to have last year. See if this helps any.
My sump/fuge build

 

Thanks for the info

So my final design before sealing is: [Is it ok??]

http://www.z-ice.com/Aquarium/sump/DSC01931.JPG

http://www.z-ice.com/Aquarium/sump/DSC01932.JPG

http://www.z-ice.com/Aquarium/sump/DSC01933.JPG
[note: I did not raise the glass in the bioball section nor the middle baffle.(pretend they are)

As you can see, perhaps, I will have to seal two small pieces together to reach a higher level for the protein section.

What is a good (minimum) distance I should have between baffles?

Thanks,
Zak
P.S. Otty thanks for all your help.
Here's the other half of my overflow.

http://www.z-ice.com/Aquarium/sump/DSC01934.JPG

http://www.z-ice.com/Aquarium/sump/DSC01935.JPG

 

1" is good between baffles. The only other problem I see is your bio ball section will be submerged in water thus eliminating any benificial bacteria you are trying to generate with using the balls. The area inside that is going to be the height of the first baffle wall.

 

what else

I wanted some type of filtering. I thought a bioball section is mandatory/needed.? What else could I do besides bioballs?

If bioballs are meant to be above the water line then why is there sinking and non-sinking bioballs?

Could I put a carbon filter by the bioball section? BioZorb Stars?

Thanks,
Zak

 

I use mine in a wet/dry filter and the water just passes over the balls and they stay above the water line. Make your eggcrate high enough to keep them above the water line or lower your baffle height.

 

What would be wrong with using live rock rubble in the baffles?

 

baffle height

How about this setup:


Thanks,
Zak

 

Filter

Where is the filtering done? I have live rock in my main tank. If I fill my triangle with live rock where is the filtering being done? I understand live rock filters but I would like more, such as: some filter pads, bio-zorb, carbon filter, bioballs.

Or

Do I just need live rock only? I have seen a few that way.


Thanks,
Zak

 

That wet/dry pic looks like a good set up. It will give you diversity in putting different media in there.