Pump/sump/and making it all work

[YHSublime]

So this will be the first time I've ever worked with a sump and a drilled tank. I have a new 45 cube, already drilled with the overflows in the back, 10 gallon sump underneath. I don't know how it will all work. I presume one drops the water down into the sump, and then what kind of pump do I want to get for a 10 gallon sump, and a 45 gallon tank? Both the intake/outtake have close off valves on them. It's a slow and steady build, so I'm not in a rush, but can somebody explain the mechanics of how it works to me?

[jimlin]

overflow will take water from the water surface and drains into the sump. in the sump, water is filtered, bubbles diffused and pump back into the display. pumped water should not be greater than what will be drained into the sump.

[jimlin]

i also considered the 10 gallon sump for my 24 gallon display but decided to go bigger to get higher total water volume and stability in water.

[YHSublime]

overflow will take water from the water surface and drains into the sump. in the sump, water is filtered, bubbles diffused and pump back into the display. pumped water should not be greater than what will be drained into the sump.

How do I determine whats being drained into the pump, in return figuring out what size/type of pump I need? What if my skimmer doesn't fit in the sump?

[Der ABT]

size pump based on the turnover rate you want in your sump, many different opinions out there.....you want enough contact time that you skimmer can actuall do some cleaning.

 

if your skimmer doesnt fit, you need a bigger sump...thats an easy one ......

 

sump can be any size from tiny to small, really its just a better way to hide your equipment and keep the main tank looking nice....can be 1g or 100g ...

 

most people put a valve on the return line so they can fine tune the overflow rate. or make a manifold that feeds other pumps with the excess flow.

 

on my 90g/30g system i use a mag 9.5 that is dialed back with a valve....i have a 29g sump (i htink its 29 but may be a 39 i cant remember) with 3 chambers, one for skimmer etc...one for return pump, and the other for a fuge..

 

i have to dial my return back because the two holes in the tank are small and do not flow alot of water....the size of your overflow will determine the amount of water it can handle....there are ALOT of articles /calculators on how much flow the diameter piping can handle.

 

hope this helps..

 

main thing to remember is that you want the water level in the sump to be low enough to handle any back syphon when the pumps turn off....its a bit of trial and error but its easy....you can make a syphon break or just have your feed above the water line so its an automaitc syphon break.

[matt]

What are you using for an overflow? Perhaps post that for help with sizing a return pump. Remember you'll want a constant water level in your skimmer compartment....or if not using a compartment then make sure turning off your return pump will not overflow your skimmer and collection cup.

[YHSublime]

size pump based on the turnover rate you want in your sump, many different opinions out there.....you want enough contact time that you skimmer can actuall do some cleaning.

 

if your skimmer doesnt fit, you need a bigger sump...thats an easy one ......

 

sump can be any size from tiny to small, really its just a better way to hide your equipment and keep the main tank looking nice....can be 1g or 100g ...

 

most people put a valve on the return line so they can fine tune the overflow rate. or make a manifold that feeds other pumps with the excess flow.

 

on my 90g/30g system i use a mag 9.5 that is dialed back with a valve....i have a 29g sump (i htink its 29 but may be a 39 i cant remember) with 3 chambers, one for skimmer etc...one for return pump, and the other for a fuge..

 

i have to dial my return back because the two holes in the tank are small and do not flow alot of water....the size of your overflow will determine the amount of water it can handle....there are ALOT of articles /calculators on how much flow the diameter piping can handle.

 

hope this helps..

 

main thing to remember is that you want the water level in the sump to be low enough to handle any back syphon when the pumps turn off....its a bit of trial and error but its easy....you can make a syphon break or just have your feed above the water line so its an automaitc syphon break.

 

I think it helps. I think the problem is I don't have an idea on what I'm using for an overflow yet.

 

What are you using for an overflow? Perhaps post that for help with sizing a return pump. Remember you'll want a constant water level in your skimmer compartment....or if not using a compartment then make sure turning off your return pump will not overflow your skimmer and collection cup.

 

I would venture to say atm that my skimmer is too big. I have never used a skimmer either, so this is all new territory to me. On 45 gallons is there a recomended skimmer size/brand? A recomended overflow brand/size?

[YHSublime]

Found this, very helpful: http://www.melevsreef.com/what_sump.html

[Der ABT]

what skimmer do you have??

 

Drill the tank, id be happy to do it with/for you (just wont pay for anything broken) as long as you know its not tempered its easier than i thought, i just put 3 holes in my 156 which is 3/4glass and it was rediculously easy...nerves....but easy.... depending on the overflow set up you want, (herbie, durso, etc) its easy to adjust.

 

for a 45 g i wouldnt think you would need anything special, mag 3-5 range most likely be able to use some of the excess flow for a few reactors if you want gfo/carbon or bioballs etc...

 

ill get you over to my place when i get back and things calm down a little, seriously...

[jimlin]

[YHSublime]

what skimmer do you have??

 

Hand me down, don't even know if it's complete. Here is a crappy picture of it:

 

 

Drill the tank, id be happy to do it with/for you (just wont pay for anything broken) as long as you know its not tempered its easier than i thought, i just put 3 holes in my 156 which is 3/4glass and it was rediculously easy...nerves....but easy.... depending on the overflow set up you want, (herbie, durso, etc) its easy to adjust.

 

That sounds great, if it's needed. It was bought from a forum member, and I think he drilled it personaly, so I can find out.

 

for a 45 g i wouldnt think you would need anything special, mag 3-5 range most likely be able to use some of the excess flow for a few reactors if you want gfo/carbon or bioballs etc...

 

I'm going to start looking into this. Get me a little bit closer to what I'm looking for.

 

ill get you over to my place when i get back and things calm down a little, seriously...

 

Haha, just let me know man. I know you've got a lot on your plate right now, family first! Plus you've got that awesome showcase tank, which is still a faster build than this one will probably be.

 

 

Thanks! Still dont see that third hole...

[jimlin]

the picture is the overflow and two drain pipes. the return is not installed on the tank yet.

[Jason Rhoads]

Just so I am clear when thinking through this, your tank is drilled, but has no overflow yet?

 

I would also upgrade the sump to something bigger than a 10g. You will find it hard to fit equipment in there. I tried it on a 20g DT and it filled up really quickly. Also, when looking for a sump go with a long footprint over a high. This will allow you more room for the skimmer, heater, return, etc...

[jimlin]

i think his issue with getting a bigger sump is the available space under the tank. he may be able to fit a smaller cube under the tank or a custom built one.

[Steve175]

I also would maximize the sump size (biggest you can fit) and think a Mag 5 in-sump would serve you well. Have a sump chamber followed by baffles and then a return chamber (where the pump sits) as depicted on Melev's site. If you have a big enough sump, you can add a small chamber for a refugium between the sump chamber (where water drains into from tank) and the baffles (which block micro bubbles). You probably should invest in a better skimmer: it is the heart of the system. Look at the Avast skimmers (a sponsor here who makes reasonably priced, great skimmers) and size your skimmer section around the footprint. I would buy a skimmer rated for a minimum of 100G (if you can afford it and fit it, buy an even bigger skimmer as I suspect we'll see a thread from you in ~ a year looking for a larger tank [as we all have done] and it will be nice to not have to also upgrade skimmers.

[YHSublime]

I would buy a skimmer rated for a minimum of 100G (if you can afford it and fit it, buy an even bigger skimmer as I suspect we'll see a thread from you in ~ a year looking for a larger tank [as we all have done] and it will be nice to not have to also upgrade skimmers.

 

I went with a reef ready system instead, so this original one is for sale. As for seeing another thread about a bigger tank, I'm on my third, haha. Thanks for the advice.