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notpennysboat
07/06/2010, 01:12 AM
Hey, I have been doing some research on sump tanks, how to set them up. So I have a 10g tank b/c it's all that will fit in my cabinet. Does anyone have a link on different set ups or more info on setting them up. What kind of pumps does one need?
Also could I get pics from anyone. That would help me so much.

When the walls and everything is up, is it better to have LR, micro alge, bio balls (I have heard mixed feelings on them).
Ok I will have more ? But this should be good

geo
07/06/2010, 05:38 AM
[moved]...

Ston3
07/06/2010, 10:17 AM
Here is my basis for designing my 10g sump. I have since made a few alterations such as switching the return and fuge and teeing off the return to the fuge for better control. However, here you can see my basic measurements. I'm going to cut a sponge to fit my first bubble trap and run carbon and other media through it.

Bioballs are similar to lr but they don't have the advantage of denitrifying the water. In my fuge, I think I'm just going to have some lr and chaeto. It's too shallow for a dsb.

As far as plumbing and return, there's great calculators on the rc homepage. You can use the headloss and plumbing size calculators to fine tune to what you need. I believe the goal for flow rate is anywhere from 3 to 10X your dt in gph. After calculating, I got a mag 7 to deliver 300 gph of flow through my sump for my 37g tank.

http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac275/w_hsu/sump.png

Good luck.

notpennysboat
07/06/2010, 01:29 PM
Stone3.
Could you post a pic on here if that is convent?

notpennysboat
07/06/2010, 01:32 PM
Also, in this case why would you not put the skimmer in the second dept. Do they make skimmers small enough to fit?

cloak
07/06/2010, 02:22 PM
Check these out.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-01/newbie/index.php

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-01/gt/index.php

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-04/gt/index.php

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-07/gt/index.php

notpennysboat
07/06/2010, 10:13 PM
Thank all of you guys. This helps

Ston3
07/06/2010, 10:40 PM
It's complete, but not hooked up yet cause I've been busy. Still working on the plumbing (PVC overflow). The skimmer is hob cause I already have a hob. My tank is already running. I want to get an in sump skimmer, but well see how this configuration works first. The skimmer is on the right, fuge left and return center.

By the second dept, do you mean the middle?

http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac275/w_hsu/c80615ad.jpg

notpennysboat
07/07/2010, 11:19 PM
[QUOTE=Ston3;17336997]It's complete, but not hooked up yet cause I've been busy. Still working on the plumbing (PVC overflow). The skimmer is hob cause I already have a hob. My tank is already running. I want to get an in sump skimmer, but well see how this configuration works first. The skimmer is on the right, fuge left and return center.

By the second dept, do you mean the middle?

Yes i was meaning the middle.
I have seen sumps where the water comes in the fuge on the left, skimmer middle and return on the right (or however you have your sump facing)
Now why are you doing the Fuge on left and return in the middle? What kind of skimmer do you have and which one did you have in mind if you were getting one that Goes underwater?

imstr8ballin
07/07/2010, 11:27 PM
My guess would be that he is gonna have 2 inlets. The one on the left for the refugium will probably have a lighter flow with the heavier flow coming in on the right. Both compartments should overflow into the middle where the return pump will be.
I think that if that is the idea than he should have also made a bubble trap on the other side.

mak3mydae
07/08/2010, 01:26 AM
Check these out.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-01/newbie/index.php

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-01/gt/index.php

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-04/gt/index.php

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-07/gt/index.php

Great pages, thanks

Ston3
07/08/2010, 02:27 AM
The Drain will be on the right, filtered with filter sock and then skimmed. The water will proceed through the bubble trap and to the return pump. The return plumbing will have two routes: dt and back to fuge. The purpose of having a fuge directly to return without skimming is so the pods growing in your fuge don't get skimmed. From what I researched, it's better to T off the return than it is to T off the drain. Separating the sections in this fashion allows me to control the flow to the fuge and the sump in general since I can adjust the return pump.

As far as skimmers go, I have a Odyssa 75 or something like that (got it with setup on craigslist). It picks up some nice skimmate even though it's cheap. I bought a coralife super skimmer which was a mistake. Since my baffles are already set, I don't have a whole lot of space to fit a skimmer. One skimmer that appears to fit my dimensions is the marineland insump skimmer. However, I haven't researched it yet. Bottom line, research the product alot before you buy. You may adjust the size of your return or fuge to allow for a bigger skimmer footprint as well.

notpennysboat
07/08/2010, 11:00 AM
Awesome. When your done I would love to see it if you don't mind

Ston3
07/08/2010, 11:06 AM
Sure, I'll post it up whenever I get it done. It's been raining a lot here, so I haven't been able to get outside and cut my PVC. Plus my 1 year anniversary with my gf is sunday, and I'm pretty sure she'll be mad if I'm working on my tank while I don't have a present for her (you know how that goes).

There is only one line draining from my DT. It goes straight to the right chamber. My return pump is going to be Teed off: one to DT and one back to fuge. I forgot the exact reason why it's good to Tee off the return rather than drain, but I remember seeing it around on the forums.

notpennysboat
07/09/2010, 11:58 PM
Raining in houston. That's probably a good break from the heat.
So then you will be creating a circle Flow from the fuge to the return, but whatever water that goes into your sump will get first skimmed. Why not do a bible trap from the fuge?
I did some research on the marine land skimmer. Over all review seemed positive. However I haver heard much from RC.

wrott
07/10/2010, 12:10 AM
What are the maximum dimensions for your want-to-be skimmer? If it's going in a 10g, there will be few options, but most of us have been there/done that, so tell me what your dimensions are and let's go go from there. Do you want to do HOB?

notpennysboat
07/10/2010, 11:35 PM
What are the maximum dimensions for your want-to-be skimmer? If it's going in a 10g, there will be few options, but most of us have been there/done that, so tell me what your dimensions are and let's go go from there. Do you want to do HOB?

I was planning on using 5 inches for a skimmer area. The marineland skimmer is 4.5 inches wide and 18 in tall. Is there other skimmers that are better in similar dimensions. I have about an 8" fuge and another 5" section as a return.
as far as HOB skimmers, what are pros and cons?

wrott
07/13/2010, 11:43 AM
You may be better off doing a HOB skimmer. Even the 5" may not be enough room for the Marineland (always place equipment inside sump before gluing dividers--a lesson I learned the hard way).
You may still be able to use a HOB on your sump, and it may be a better skimmer--I really don't know. I've used a Remora HOB w/ not much success and that's all.
I believe Octopus makes a HOB that I've heard good things about--but you never know.
A 20g tall sump could open up a lot more possibilities for good skimmers.

Edit: I see that you have have room only for a 10g inside. can you place the sump next to/behind the stand? It will help a whole lot if you could upgrade from a 10g sump.
And I would place small LR 3-4" pieces and LR rubble, along w/ chaetomorpha macro-algae in the sump, trim the macro w/ scissors every couple of weeks to export nutrients. Keep a cheap light on it 12-18hrs/day--on when lights out in tank. I know some run fuge light 24/7, but I have no experience w/ this--I believe the algae needs dark time, IMO.

notpennysboat
07/14/2010, 12:55 AM
I was planning on doing what you said about the fuge. That's for the advice on the plants. Now I will have to measure the sump area and maybe make it up in the return section. Now my lfs has a fluval hob skimmer, do you know anything g about it?
I unfortunately don't have alot of space in my stand and that's why I stayed with a ten gal sump.
I do haves question about a return pump.
Is Aqueon a good brand? More specifically the 3000 model. It matches my requirements that I need, just like a mag 5 would. Just looking at other options.
And on the return topic, is is better to T off the return and have two pipes go back in your tank or have one go in the tank and other back to the fuge?
Lastly... I am just a return pump and a skimmer away from starting my sump. Should I get it working then add a skimmer or wait till I buy a skimmer before running the sump. ( I ask bc I can aford a return now)

notpennysboat
07/15/2010, 03:31 PM
Wrott?

Ston3
07/22/2010, 02:31 PM
Alright it's up and running smooth. Let me know if you have any questions.

Left side fuge with clamp light, solar powered fan, chaeto and lr (probably gonna throw in some cuc):
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac275/w_hsu/389852dc.jpg

Right side with skimmer and media in-between baffles (gonna add sponge for filtering out detritus):
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac275/w_hsu/d4902142.jpg

Fts with overflow on the right and the return on the left.
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac275/w_hsu/53320b1d.jpg

Return pump is mag 7.

notpennysboat
07/22/2010, 11:21 PM
Freaking awesome, Its very inspiring seeing it done. Thankyou

three questions (for right now)

1. How is the water from your return coming in your tank?
Do you have holes cut in the pipe or does if flow in at 300gph at the end?

2. What is the pillow looking thing in your return?

3. What was the reasoning to having the fuge all the way to the left and pour into your return in the middle? instead of having the return all the way on the left? I ask b/c the drawing you gave above was different then your final project.

Thanks again

Ston3
07/23/2010, 01:41 AM
1. No holes, i was thinking about making a spray bar though. However, I feel the flow is good so I probably won't make it. My return is right near the surface of the water, but remember to make a siphon break if the return is going down any deeper.

2. Ice pack wrapped in a couple sandwich bags

3. The return is in the middle to allow full control of the fuge and return to dt. Each line is plumbed with a ball valve. I adjust both to get the right flow to the fuge and dt.

Good luck, let me know if you have more questions.

notpennysboat
08/04/2010, 01:05 AM
1. No holes, i was thinking about making a spray bar though. However, I feel the flow is good so I probably won't make it. My return is right near the surface of the water, but remember to make a siphon break if the return is going down any deeper.

2. Ice pack wrapped in a couple sandwich bags

3. The return is in the middle to allow full control of the fuge and return to dt. Each line is plumbed with a ball valve. I adjust both to get the right flow to the fuge and dt.

Good luck, let me know if you have more questions.


Just one more now. What Size (thickness) panels are you using for the bubbletrap and the overflow into your return?