14 gallon biocube sump design. Pictures included.

I was starting to think about setting up my biocube again, but doing it right this time. I want to add a sump but it has proven to be difficult finding people who have done so online. So I dont really have much to go off of. This is my design so far. Forgive the poorly drawn paint picture.




I was thinking about using a quiet one 3000 pump because it can be turned down and has a pretty high gph flow rate. Its around 800 gph on full but can be turned down to around 400 gph. This doesnt include header however. As for the overflow, I was contemplating using an overflow strainer and a pvc elbow. The only thing that concerns me there is the possibility of it clogging or not being enough flow... Im sure it would be fine, but I dont often see people using this style overflow. Either this option or I use a Glass-holes overflow. Any input? Any comments or ideas or helpful.

 

Bump

 

...Bump.

 

I've heard of it, but I've never actually seen this done before. I think the back of the AIO tank is plastic, isn't it? Or is that behind glass too? I am not sure how loud the strainer for the overflow will be. I've never used one before. I have the Glass-Holes super nano overflow and I love it. I drilled a hole in the elbow (just after of the bulkhead) and I stuck the included airline into the hole. I didn't do this previously, but it is much quieter now.

Why such a big sump? lol. I understand you are worried about keeping parameters stable, but I think even a 10g would be fine. For your return pump, try to aim for about 6x your DT water volume (14 x 6 = 84), at head pressure. I'd shoot for around 84-100gph. Maybe 10x if you want to use the pump as added water flow in your DT, in addition to powerheads. That's what I am doing on my tank.

I have not used the quiet one pumps. I've heard good and bad reviews on them.

 

The back is AIO plastic. I want a big sump simply for the added stability. Also because I have a 20 gallon long already. lol This tank will be just about all SPS so the larger pump will also be adding alot of flow instead of having to use multiple powerheads again in this tank. Which annoyed me because of all the space they took up. As for the overflow, I have this same basic set up on my frag tank. But it is LOUD. I think alot of it has to do with the way I set it up and simple rookie mistakes, but if I do the overflow strainer idea it will be alot cheaper and could be more space effective. I really wanted to get some other opinions before I get started gathering materials.