basic sump/fuge design question

I've looked at SKAustin's setup and decided it was simple enough for me to attempt, but I got a little confused because some others I've seen similar have different heights of their baffles. All Austin's look the same in height. (I don't know how to post the pic :/ I apologize. I tried clicking on the add photo, but it kept coming up as a red x).

Sump with Refugium plans - 3reef Photos

Sump with Refugium - 3reef Photos

20 Gallon Sump with Refugium - 3reef Photos

I've a 30long 36"L 12"W 16"H. I was figuring i'd get the glass pieces cut to 14" in height for all 4 pieces. I've not quite figured out yet how much room to leave in each compartment, but the main question I have here is...am I being a yayhoo by making the 4 pieces all the same height? Am i being (wouldn't be a surprise) ignorant and forgetting something??
Oh yeah, I might as well add (don't flame me please a really ignorant question...do I have to use pvc pipe for the return? I"ve seen flex hoses are one's similar that aren't that flexible. I thought I could just connect one of these from the return pump to the return into the tank...? derrr?:-[

 

I think 14" is way too high for a 30l, you do not want the sump running close to full when the return pump is on, you need to make sure you have enough extra space in the sump for when you turn off the return pump and get some backsiphon from the display tank and the water that's left in the plumbing.

Also make sure that the height of your water in the sump is going to work for your skimmer, a lot of skimmers have optimal water depths to run in and it can be a hassle if you don't plan for it from the start.

As for different heights of baffles, I'm not sure it really matters, if you have the baffle before the return pump a little lower you will get two little waterfalls because you have 3 different water heights in the sump, it might be a little better of a bubble trap but I don't know if you have to worry about that with this design no matter what. Maybe someone else has some other ideas about that.

You can use whatever plumbing you like for your return. Just beware that flexible hose can sometimes be hard to manage depending on the size of it because it doesn't always take the shape you want. It's generally a good idea to have at least one section of flexible hose in your return plumbing so that you don't get any vibrations from the return pump through any PVC.

 

ST, you suggest maybe 12" high then? Good point about skimmer. It's the Coralife super skimmer 125. I think I could hang it on side of the tank if need be also. Thanks a lot for your input. I need to figure out how to give 'karma'

 

I think the best thing to do would be too measure how much water get's back siphoned when your pumps turn off... then you can use that to find out exactly where it needs to be, and give yourself a good cushion

 

Personally I would go more in the 9-10" range, but it's really up to you. I like having plenty of room for backsiphoning as well as being able to easily work in the sump with the return pump off. I don't want to have the water up to the rim and need to messing around pulling off the skimmer pump or something for cleaning with water sloshing over the sides.

The safest way I think is like FuzzBall said, test it out and see how much backsiphon you get and then give yourself another couple inches, or maybe just lowball it and go 9-10" and then just make sure you get a good siphon break on your return plumbing etc.

 

ha! I just figured out how to give karma! sweeet

 

Congrats WCW... Share the love

So what did you decide to do with your sump?

 

Heya Fuzz! Glad you asked...I've been communicating with Marc from 'melevsump' and i think I've decided on the following:

I'm going to take these too thin (3/32") pieces of glass back to Home Depot and get 1/4" and have them cut them for me. THIS is what I'm thinking from left to right... A) Input area with skimmer, 8 or 9" baffles (still havent figured out what height's better...dont you want more water in there for evap?) B.) sump with return pump & live rock C.) 12"baffle with eggcrate across top then fuge. (wouldn't you want fuge higher/deeper to put more stuff in it?)

Thinking %75 of the water from the overflow box to the input/skimmer area with the rest going into fuge. It was suggested to me to use a Mag 5 or 7 and not the 9.5 (which I find interesting) so was thinking the Mag 7.

dimensions of 30g long are 36"L 12"W 16"H. My 110g display tank is 60"L 19"W 19"H

ps. UV sterilizer I think would be best used in the input area right?

 

Hey, sorry I missed your reply WCW.

Sounds like a good design. Not so sure on your pump choice though.
Personally I think I'd spring for a QO pump instead. The mag 7 has 3/4mpt, while the QO 3000 has 1"mpt. I think that 1/4 creates alot of restriction, even if you are going to reduce it...

I have the mag7, and the 3000 QO. I like them both, but I prefer the QO.



UV sterilizers need a slow flow, or so I thought. I'm not master in that area at all, not even close.

 

Good I'll take some!