View Full Version : Sump design critique
shiftline
02/03/2016, 10:18 AM
I'm designing my first sump and would appreciate some critique or potential suggestions for improvement.
I'm building a 66"L x 20" w x 18" tall peninsula style tank. So I would like the sump serviceable from both sides.
Here is my current design. Flows in and goes through one 7" sock
Next chamber is a frag area
Next is skimmer (coral box cloud 9)
Then it flows behind pump. Then under to return pump area. This seems like a space efficient bubble trap however there is only a 4" gap there. Is this enough area to be quiet or will it be noisy?
Pump is a Jabeo dct7000. One day I may get a vectra m1
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160203/5c4ff32338479a0b4588f9bf34767ed4.jpg
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160203/8351f7756835682c79d1018b22f88642.jpg
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160203/c19575a330471ad0c2d1eaec8a36a91a.jpg
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160203/15c23600cc740dac70ce1501146e0de3.jpg
Any suggestions for improvements?
Greybeard
02/03/2016, 10:29 AM
Looks good to me. You're 'safe' if a sock clogs, looks like plenty of room in the skimmer compartment... you might check the required depth for the skimmer, just to make sure you're in line on that.
I'd probably scrap the bubble trap to the pump compartment for something a little simpler. Make the pump compartment full width, with a double wall over/under leading into it. 1/2" space or so. Gives you the ability to put a filter pad in there, if you need it, that gets full flow over a fairly large surface. Also allows you to better access the pump from either side, and gives you a little more volume in the pump compartment for ATO float, etc.
Feel free to ignore me... honestly, it's a pretty good design as is.
You using glass? that's a lot of glass cutting!
Oh, and I just retired a Jebao DCT-4000 that was less than impressive. Replaced it with an Eheim. I'd recommend going with a higher quality pump.
shiftline
02/03/2016, 10:36 AM
Yes glass and getting it made with a custom tank I'm having built.
The standard bubble trap was my original design. I was trying to see if I could squeeze more space out for my frag rack area :)
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160203/5025de3d7bc13ccf816e1b16d5ebe9ee.jpg
On the fence of which way to go
Greybeard
02/03/2016, 02:12 PM
I don't think you need that 3rd wall... a simple over/under should be sufficient, unless your skimmer is a micro-bubble pump. Even then, a single baffle with a bit of filter sponge works.
My sump (a 3rd gen EShopps R-100) has a very small return pump chamber. If I scoop a quart of water out to use in a capture container, the pump is sucking air. A little more volume in that compartment would have been good.
Tigerdragon
02/03/2016, 03:28 PM
Any reason why skimmer is not after sock section?
shiftline
02/03/2016, 04:29 PM
If you don't think the third baffle adds much value then I'm happy to get rid of it. Haven't used the skimmer yet but it's a coral box cloud 9
Skimmer is far right because the tank will be a peninsula When it gets moved in a couple years I'll be access the tank from the opposite side. The skimmer would be restricting access to change the sock.
The second chamber will be used for frags
saltmeup
02/03/2016, 04:36 PM
My two cents and I'm building my sump now is to make your return pump chamber larger.... Future space for other equipment and more importantly more water volume so longer duration of time before top off and or pump running dry.
Look great though. Love the design graphics!
shiftline
02/03/2016, 05:08 PM
How big "should " the return pump section be? Current pump will be a jabeo DCS7000 one day may be a vectra M1
Current dimensions of pump area are 7x8x15 ish so about 3.6gallons
Removing the 3rd baffle gave me a bit more space.
http://s11.postimg.org/pp43hy2tv/sum_minibaffle.png
scubadan206
02/06/2016, 11:34 PM
Could you use a different skimmer to give you more room? How about a skimz oval skimmer. If it gives you another 4-6 inches would that be a deal maker?
Any of your designs would work fine for you.
An Ecotech Vectra might be unnecessary and overkill as many of the programing options would be irrelevant for a return pump.
Greybeard
02/09/2016, 11:00 AM
Looks good to me. Return pump compartment is the only section of the system were water level is going to fluctuate. If you're going to have an ATO, the float valve/switch needs to me in there. Other than that, and the pump, there's no need for equipment in this section. Looks big enough to me.
I know nothing about the skimmer you're going to be using, or your return pump. Not had much luck with Jebao myself, I hope you have better luck.
Johnseye
02/09/2016, 11:55 AM
How big "should " the return pump section be? Current pump will be a jabeo DCS7000 one day may be a vectra M1
Current dimensions of pump area are 7x8x15 ish so about 3.6gallons
Removing the 3rd baffle gave me a bit more space.
Return section should be at least 8" wide for an M1. I'd also go deeper than 8". 15" is plenty high.
You'll want to ensure your pump intakes on both return and skimmer aren't right against the wall.
Make sure to put unions on all your drain plumbing. I'm sure you will and the picture is just for reference.
Thoughts on two 4" socks instead of one 7"? Might make for better flow?
No fuge?
shiftline
02/18/2016, 06:43 PM
I originally had 2x 4" and was talked into a single 7". Supposedly don't clog as fast and less work. Time will tell. I did make the pump area big enough for a m1 down the road just incase. But due to budget Jabeo for know :)
I will have an ATO on the tank. (Made an optical one for the current tank that I'll move over). So not to worried about a bit of fluctuation on the pump are. The current one is super precise
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