Simple sump design

adidas · #1 02-04-2005, 11:16 PM

[img]http://www.canreef.com/photopost/data/500/1464sump.jpg?3886

This my simple design, This will be my first attemp at setting up a sump.

Input anyone?

thx

Quinster · #2 02-04-2005, 11:48 PM

Helped with the pic...

the only things I see is the return of your skimmer being on the same side as your return pump may cause bubbles going into your tank....the other is the last baffle , the water goes over it, there are conflicting opinions on that causing a waterfall affect...which again can cause bubbles.

hockey nut · #3 02-04-2005, 11:59 PM

HI.

my 55 gal sump is the exact opposite. water comes into the main area then skimmed.....skimmed water flows over a couple baffles, then out to tank.

basically the exact opposite. Looks good though.

hth

adidas · #4 02-05-2005, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hockey nut

HI.

my 55 gal sump is the exact opposite. water comes into the main area then skimmed.....skimmed water flows over a couple baffles, then out to tank.

basically the exact opposite. Looks good though.

hth

oh ok, i should have the baffles after the skimmer return then to cut down the bubbles. Should the baffles be equal in height?

thx guys

adidas · #5 02-05-2005, 12:08 AM

another question: my hang-on over flow does 600gph, my return pump is 2400gph, I should install a valve to lower the pump flow shouldn't I? It shouldn't return faster than the overflow right?

BMW Rider · #6 02-05-2005, 04:00 PM

Quote:

another question: my hang-on over flow does 600gph, my return pump is 2400gph, I should install a valve to lower the pump flow shouldn't I? It shouldn't return faster than the overflow right?

Yes, you need to reduce the output of the pump to what the overflow can handle. a 2400 gph pump seems a bit overkill for a 600 gph overflow. You can use a few options:

1. Just gate down the return to reduce the flow. This is kind of inefficient because you end up wasting the pumps energy for no good purpose other than creating heat.
2. Divert some of the flow back to the sump through a tee with valves to balance the flow. I did this on my FOWLR, and run the excess flow through some charcoal (the pump is pretty close to the flow rate of the overflow, so there isn't a lot of excess flow).
3. Get a pump that is better matched to the flow rate you desire for the sump. You can still set it up as above. The big pump could then be utilized for a closed loop to increase your water flow in the display tank. This would be my suggestion as a best solution.

hockey nut · #7 02-05-2005, 05:41 PM

No... the baffles should be like the way you have designed them. You want the water to flow under the first one then over the last one. Your design is fine.

I'd send you a picture of mine if I could figure out how to post a picture.

Anyhow it looks good. Are you using acrylic?

regards