My sump design.

[aquatic mouse]

My sump design. I've never done this before. Does it look good? Any advice?

1878

[marinelife]

on the pump side you will want baffle to stop bubbles.

[aquatic mouse]

Like this? I wouldn't need the teeth anymore either, right?

1879

[marinelife]

nope no teeth
baffle look correct.

[deuce2004]

If your running a skimmer in the skimmer area you will want to keep the water level constant and in this pic you have no way of doing that...

[chromiumlux]

Try the same configuration on skimmer side also at same height as the pump side. This should give you a level water line to work with.

[aquatic mouse]

If your running a skimmer in the skimmer area you will want to keep the water level constant and in this pic you have no way of doing that...

But...that's where the water comes in, why wouldn't it stay constant? Confused.

[CORALSQUAD]

I would like a lil More info
What return pump are you going to run
What skimmer are you going to run
on bottom half of design you have a 2" euro brace running around but you also have 2 cross supports. those are not needed with the euro brace
by having it spaced only 2" from the lip you are going to have some issues getting a pump in and out with that lil about of amount of space for service unless you are planning to do an external pump
I would also increase the size of the return section by 3" at least that will then give you 7.3 gallons of water than 4.3 gallons by having a larger surface area in the return section water level will change slower with evaporation meaning you auto top-off (if you are going to run one) will kick on and off less often
Sorry if i have run on sentances Grammer was not my best subject lol

-Matt

[deuce2004]

in the skimmer area you should have first panel about 3/4 inch off the bottom for water in skimmer area to exit threw the bottom of panel, the second panel should be aprox 1" lower at the top and seal clear down to bottom of refuge, the third panel should be only about 1 inch above the sand area you are using, the fourth panel should be at the other end of the sand in your refuge, agin about 1" above sand level, which should be you last panel, then you place your pump in the last area, the reason for the first panel to be off the bottom 3/4 is for flow, the second panel, regulates your water level and that level will never, ever change even if you turn all your pumps off, and your display water backs into refuge, the skimmer will remain the same.
your welcome to swing by and see our system and get a better ideal if you wish, jlmk..Good luck with your build..

[aquatic mouse]

What return pump are you going to run
Mag 7. 4in gives me enough room to reach my little fingers in and pull it out. :)


What skimmer are you going to run
Reef Octo DNW-200 This will fit perfect + give extra room in that space.


on bottom half of design you have a 2" euro brace running around but you also have 2 cross supports. those are not needed with the euro brace by having it spaced only 2" from the lip you are going to have some issues getting a pump in and out with that lil about of amount of space for service unless you are planning to do an external pump
Trust me, my fingers can get it. And I'm going overkill with the braces. No chances for this thing to break. I've flooded the basement too many times.


I would also increase the size of the return section by 3" at least that will then give you 7.3 gallons of water than 4.3 gallons by having a larger surface area in the return section water level will change slower with evaporation meaning you auto top-off (if you are going to run one) will kick on and off less often
I don't think it'll be a problem. I top off by hand.

This is just to get a quote though, if the price is too high (not for what it is, but for my wallet), I'll probably just use a 75 gallon.

[aquatic mouse]

in the skimmer area you should have first panel about 3/4 inch off the bottom for water in skimmer area to exit threw the bottom of panel, the second panel should be aprox 1" lower at the top and seal clear down to bottom of refuge, the third panel should be only about 1 inch above the sand area you are using, the fourth panel should be at the other end of the sand in your refuge, agin about 1" above sand level, which should be you last panel, then you place your pump in the last area, the reason for the first panel to be off the bottom 3/4 is for flow, the second panel, regulates your water level and that level will never, ever change even if you turn all your pumps off, and your display water backs into refuge, the skimmer will remain the same.
your welcome to swing by and see our system and get a better ideal if you wish, jlmk..Good luck with your build..

I still don't understand why my design won't work. I'm basing it off of Melev's sumps.http://www.melevsreef.com/acrylics/sumps/58/58sump.html

[deuce2004]

It will work, if you dont care about constant skimmer level, and having to adjust your skimmer every time you turn your pumps off to clean or feed, i would love to know what kind of setup that refuge is made for, what is being put in it, and why you would want the water level in the refuge area the same height as the skimmer area, makes no since to me, when you want the water in the refuge area just above your sand or whatever you put in it for best filtration.

[marinelife]

Carrie's design gives her a chamber with higher water level for the skimmer. The level would not change since the panel goes to the bottom and water flows over the top. This design gives her more than one water level in the sump.
The object Carrie is after is to have an area of deep water because of he skimmer size.

[deuce2004]

The water will change if the power return pump to the display tank goes out or is turned off, the water in the skimmer area will pump itself out if the skimmer remains on, for the reason you do not return the clean skimmer water back into the skimmer area, you return it to the refugium or return to display area, which inturn means the skimmer level will disapear if it remains running with other pumps off...

[marinelife]

Does not matter were the water is returned from the skimmer, I know Jeremy and Andy both have there skimmers returning to the same tank they sit in.

[deuce2004]

if your running a skimmer to clean the water, why would you put it right back into the nasty skimmer area water, when you could put it in the cleaner part of the system? ok well enough said..Good luck Carrie!!

[ghurlag]

Don, I'm interested in wha you have to say on this. What would you recommend Carrie do for the skimmer? How can she maintain constant water level, and yet still avoid reskimming the same water over and over? Thanks!

[deuce2004]

Don, I'm interested in wha you have to say on this. What would you recommend Carrie do for the skimmer? How can she maintain constant water level, and yet still avoid reskimming the same water over and over? Thanks!

Sorry not an artist

http://i882.photobucket.com/albums/ac22/deuce04/refug.jpg

[marinelife]

I do not think that will work with her skimmer.

[deuce2004]

I do not think that will work with her skimmer.

What is the reasoning for that Eric, The octopus 200 is not that much smaller than mine.

[Sunshine]

Makes sense why my skimmer wasn't skimming right. It's just skimming the already skimmed water. Mine is set up the same way Carrie is doing hers. Like I said in other posts, after awhile, my cup never had anything in it. When we do the fuge for the 220, I'm going to go by Deuce's diagram. The skimmed water will at least be going on it's way back to the display tank.

[deuce2004]

Thats the number one reason why people are always adjusting their skimmers, if properly set you will get the same amount of slimmate day after day without change, and letting the water level change will upset its schedule.

[aquatic mouse]

This might all be moot. I've been looking through the Reef Octo instructions, they say it's not submersible. :( I may put it in a box inside the sump. Some sites I've seen say it is submersible. :confused: I might have to call the company today.

[Sunshine]

Well, if nothing else, this thread has been very informative for me. Hope you get yours figured out Carrie.

[marinelife]

This skimmer puts the water back in the same area it pulled from, that is the way it is designed so Carries way would work.
http://www.melevsreef.com/dfwmas/plin/pl_sump1.jpg

The water level never changes so adjustments are not needed on the skimmer. If the flow is correct in the sump if would not matter were the input vs output are located.

You really have to design the sump around how your skimmer works for best results.
Just some food for thought.

[deuce2004]

This is the Correct skimmer ? right, Reef octopus DNW-200

http://i882.photobucket.com/albums/ac22/deuce04/octodnw200.jpg

[aquatic mouse]

That's the 150, but yeah, same thing. Reef Octo DNW-200-6540B. http://www.saltgeeks.com/forums/showthread.php/1344-Reef-Octopus-DNWB-200

[deuce2004]

That what i thought you had, and yes it is the 150 in the pic, they use to show 3 different model, all the same design. Think it threw Carrie, and you will come up with what you want, to expensive to jump right in not knowing and going by hear-say. That skimmer can be hooked up several different ways...

[aquatic mouse]

Do you know if it's submersible?

[deuce2004]

Do you know if it's submersible?

That is what i was getting ready to post for you, yes it is totally submersible, as long as you cause no back pressure on the outlet!!, and i will go one farther, call aquacave they sell them and they are always happy to give you advise..their Tech's are really good there..

[aquatic mouse]

Yeah, I'll have to call. My instructions say it's not submersible. Weird.

[aquatic mouse]

I went on to AquaCave. That's my skimmer, that's the pump that's included, that's not the instructions I received. Strange. Good to know it's submersible! Thanks for telling me about AquaCave!

[deuce2004]

No problem Carrie, i knew it was, but its better to have you call so you cant blame me lol,,,,, I have seen some before that said not submersable, but in finding out that it just ment you couldnt put the stand pipe under water, causing back presure threw your wedge valve, you will be fine...

[aquatic mouse]

What's a stand pipe? The water outlet pipe? Sorry to be such a newbie! The only skimmer I've used is a HOB aquaC remora. That one is plug and play. :)

[deuce2004]

yeh its the one that Stands up for venting overflow, which on yours adjusts the water lever in the skimmer for your slimmate, should have a degree cut on one end.

[aquatic mouse]

Oh ok. They call that one an adjusting pipe.

[deuce2004]

Yepper, sounds right.. lol

[ghurlag]

Yay! Looks like we are getting somewhere here. I might have to call AquaCave on my Octopus... I didn't get any instructions with mine... Been running it almost a year external, but after the "flood", it's time to build the new sump and get that thing in there

[CORALSQUAD]

Yay! Looks like we are getting somewhere here. I might have to call AquaCave on my Octopus... I didn't get any instructions with mine... Been running it almost a year external, but after the "flood", it's time to build the new sump and get that thing in there

http://coralvue.com/troubleshooting/manuals/

[ghurlag]

Good call, Matt!

[aquatic mouse]

Ok, here's another idea.
1934

[marinelife]

you really do not need all those baffles.

[aquatic mouse]

That way the water level stays even?

[aquatic mouse]

Or I could do this: 1935

[aquatic mouse]

Or finally this:
1937

[marinelife]

sump 4

[aquatic mouse]

I ordered the glass today :)

[chromiumlux]

Is that tank a dual overflow?

[aquatic mouse]

Yep. I'm having the water flow in to both sides.

[chromiumlux]

yeah definately sump#4 then

[ghurlag]

I ordered the glass today :)

where did you order it from and how expensive was it? I need to order for my build :)

[aquatic mouse]

I ordered from Affordable Glass and Mirror on Chambursburg. They charged me $45 ($7.50 each) for six pieces of glass that are 17 1/4x12 with rounded corners.

[chromiumlux]

Sounds like a good place for glass. They have been there for years.

[ghurlag]

That's really reasonable. I'll have to take my measurements and see what pricing I can get for what I need

[jsuter]

That's comparable to what I paid at some glass shop in in Beavercreek. It was on North Fairfield close to the new Krogers and that Ele cake shop...forget the name though.

[marinelife]

I am thinking this:
http://saltgeek.com/images/carrie.jpg

[aquatic mouse]

A valve will be on the part that goes straight to the refugium right?

[marinelife]

correct
That T would have a valve before it lets water into the refuge.

[aquatic mouse]

Could I switch those first two pieces of glass? That way the refug would be higher.

[chromiumlux]

I would think you could add some height to the baffles. You will need to decide how deep your sandbed will be.

[aquatic mouse]

I was thinking the sand bed would be 4 inches deep. The glass is 12 inches high. The rest of the refug would be for cheato.

[chromiumlux]

Seem like that would be fine.

[ghurlag]

I believe Calfo recommends 4"-6" at minimum, so that should be sufficient

[aquatic mouse]

Tada!

Sump is finished! Plumping is ready to be pvc cemented!

Sorry, Photobucket has decided it hates me. So here's a link instead. Keep in mind this is my first time
working w/ silicone to put glass together, so I kinda made a mess. No making fun of me!
http://carriedeweese.imgur.com/75_gallon_sump#nK9fn

[marinelife]

Can the skimmer be turned so the out put is closer to the baffle and the pump is on the other side?
Otherwise looks good.

[chromiumlux]

Very nice Carrie!! look forward to seeing it up and running.

[aquatic mouse]

look forward to seeing it up and running.
Me too! lol.

[ghurlag]

Yippee! Looks good, Carrie! We semi-noobs are getting up there finally :)

[aquatic mouse]

Yippee! Looks good, Carrie! We semi-noobs are getting up there finally :)

I'm so glad to hear you're feeling better Brian! Yep I'm excited that my tanks are making progress to being what they should have been in the first place.

[deuce2004]

Carrie, Is your skimmer return outlet pipe lower than you lowest pane of glass that your using for you water level? From the first of your pics i cant really tell, but if it is you will need to either raise your skimmer up from bottom, or extend the stand up pipe so the outlet is above water level, if its below or in the water level it will cause back pressure and cause your skimmer to mal-function.

[aquatic mouse]

A BIG THANKS GOES OUT TO ANDY, ERIC, AND ERIC'S WIFE AND DAUGHTER!!!

Today Eric, Andy, and my husband Dusty helped me get the 75 gallon sump in. It looks GREAT! I'm so happy with it.
We had to fight with the stand. Both braces on the back had to be removed for it to fit. These were replaced with 2x4s because the originals splintered. No problem here, I love to use my miter saw!

Here it is in all it's glory:
http://carriedeweese.imgur.com/75_gallon_sump#bMpsM

[aquatic mouse]

Don, I removed the return pipe. Check out my new pics to see what I mean.

[ghurlag]

Very awesome! I can't wait to hear the improvements in water quality coming soon!

[chromiumlux]

Yeah Carrie is quite the carpenter. Was not as bad getting it under the stand as I expected. Look forward to seeing it plumbed and running.

[ghurlag]

So how did you brace the 180 while the vertical braces were out of the back?

[aquatic mouse]

So how did you brace the 180 while the vertical braces were out of the back?
Dusty held the back brace just in case. lol.


Andy, I made a mistake on the plumbing and had to use that hand pvc cutter to cut it. The tool broke! I'm so glad it didn't break when you used it. I got a nice black thumb from the stupid thing.

[marinelife]

Pictures are not public :)

The braces can be removed for a short time without issue. I have read the tank is supported mainly on the corners and the middle supports are for bowing of the stand/tank.

It was fun, can not wait to see it running!!

[chromiumlux]

Carrie, Lowes sells a pipe cutter for like $8-9 smacks. great little tool. will give you a precise cut.

[aquatic mouse]

Whoops. Thanks Eric. Link is working now.

Andy, It's from Harbor Freight. They'll give us a new one. They're using a better manufacturer now.