20 gallon sump

[msl27620]

I've been putting off this post for a long time because I thought I could find all of the information I need myself in order to build my custom 22 gallon sump, but there are too many variables and it seems that I have to start my own thread for my custom sump. I would like people to critique my design. All information will be appreciated and please feel fee to add/remove anything from my design. The questions that I have are indicated in red.

Some prerequisite information:


This is my first saltwater tank
I have a 55 gallon
This tank will be used for live rock, fish, and coral
I will be building the sump tank INSIDE of my stand to maximize size (since the aquarium is already set up and I do not wish to take out the center brace to put the sump in


First, let's start with the build of the sump tank itself:

I will be building my own tank for the sump. I will be getting my glass cut into the specified measurements from my local hardware store and will be using 100% silicone to seal it.

Sump Tank Statistics:

Length: 36"
Width: 8.5"
Depth: 18"
Glass Thickness: .25"

For these dimensions, I will need the following cuts of glass:

2 Front/Back: 36" x 18"
2 Side: 8" x 18"
1 Bottom: 36" x 8.5

See attached image #1 for a visual representation.

Now let's look at the sump design itself:

I researched designs, built a prototype, re-researched designs, built another prototype, washed rinsed and repeated.

I decided on a 3 section sump with the INTAKE on the left, REFUGIUM in the middle, and RETURN on the right. My design will need 4 .25" thick baffles. The baffles will be 15" X 7.75".

This is where my first question comes in: I decided to leave .125 or 1/8" on each side of the baffles for silicone. Is this too much? not enough? or just right?

I will have the following contents in each section:

INTAKE: Live rock rubble, protein skimmer (the protein skimmer will pump into the first baffle chamber into the bubble trap), 200 micron sock (15" length x 5" diameter) Is this too big?
REFUGIUM: macro algae, sand, and mineral mud
RETURN: return pump (information and questions below)

The baffles for the bubble trap will be 1" apart Is the 3 inch gap between the bottom of the sump tank to the middle baffle enough space? or too much space?

See image 2 for the sump design.

Equipment time:

Here is a list of equipment that I will have:


Eshopps PF-800 Overflow Box - Up to 125 gal. http://www.amazon.com/Eshopps-PF-800-Overflow-Box-gal/dp/B001K5IK8S/ref=sr_1_cc_3?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1357863684&sr=1-3-catcorr&keywords=overflow+box
Coralife New Style Super Skimmer Protein Skimmer for tanks up to 65 gallons http://www.amazon.com/Coralife-Style-Skimmer-Protein-gallons/dp/B00374TUZM/ref=sr_1_2?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1357863910&sr=1-2&keywords=coralife+protein+skimmer
Maxi-Jet Pro Aquarium Pump 1200 GPH (used with protein skimmer) http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004IMPOJ8/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_i00
Danner 02722 Pondmaster 1200GPH Pump http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00026Z49Y/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00
Is this overkill? my overflow box has a 1" bulkhead and is rated for 800 gallons. I will have 5 feet of head, and will also be using a ball valve. According to the box of the pump at 5' head, the GPH is 800, but the slip of paper that was inside of the box says that at at 5' head the GPH is 1000. Does anyone know which one is correct? If it is too much, will I be able to decrease the flow with the ball valve?
Sump light: Any Suggestions? (I am also open to suggestions on what else/ what kind of macroalgae/miracle mud to put in the refugium)


Plumbing:

I have not planned out the plumbing fully because I would like some of these questions answered first, but suggestions will be VERY appreciated (I will be drilling a siphon break hole into a u-tube on the display tank to avoid overflow in case of power outage.)

Thank you very much for reading this. I tried my best to do as much research on my own as I could, but still need help because I am a total n00b. Does anyone want to be my saltwater mentor? lol I am willing to trade software development/programming experience!

[nemosworld]

Couple things i would do diff:
put the fuge on the end and the return in the middle, this will allow the debri from the display to settle in the drain and return section and not dirty up the fuge section, you want that area clean.

2: i would not use a pump rated higher than 600gph @ 0 head loss, reason being, with a sump so small, you will get the water fall effect and with a durso setup on that hang on overflow, you will have a very loud drain system( think sound of running water).

[nemosworld]

Couple things i would do diff:
put the fuge on the end and the return in the middle, this will allow the debri from the display to settle in the drain and return section and not dirty up the fuge section, you want that area clean.

2: i would not use a pump rated higher than 600gph @ 0 head loss, reason being, with a sump so small, you will get the water fall effect and with a durso setup on that hang on overflow, you will have a very loud drain system( think sound of running water).

[jpacker1508]

When you build the sump are you going to leave a gap for the silicone then too? Why would you leave a gap for the baffles. You want the tightest loose you can get. The bigger the gap the more work your asking the silicone to do

I would cut the height of the center baffle down to 1.5 inches. 3 inches wont hurt anything but it doesn't do anything for you either.

And finally a mag 12 is way way overkill. A 1" bulkhead will never flow 800GPH unless under syphon. I would suggest getting a mag 5 and then you can get different props and inlet covers. Mag 2-7 all use the same body so one body and different props and covers can help dial your flow but it wont be anything close to the 800gph advertised.

Oh and the refugium light. Home depot, outdoor CFL spotlight 6700k about $12 if I remember correctly. Hope this helps and good luck.