plumbing and straining in sump question

warrenmichaels · 12/17/2018, 10:18 AM

I'm building a sump from a 20 gal long. I'm planning to have two inputs (main and overflow), one output, and an external pump. It will be three chambers, with the first being a refugium with chaeto, the second being for the skimmer, and the third being a return.

For the inputs, I'm planning to have both of them plumbed to the bottom of the tank. Each will be at either end. The main input will be connected to an "L" that directs the flow to the lengthwise horizontal center of the refugium, then directs the flow at 90 degrees to travel across the refugium widthwise.

The output will be at roughly the same height as the external pump. Since I'll have 7" of head in the return chamber, it won't be an issue, will it?

Finally, as needed, I'm thinking of hooking a filter floss strainer to the return bulkhead inside the display tank. It will be hooked up for a few hours a week when I'm cleaning the tank, just to catch debris.

Is there any reason why any of these three ideas won't work?

Thanks

warrenmichaels · 12/17/2018, 11:39 AM

Also, how much flow can chaeto tolerate? Will too much flow shred it?

billdogg · 12/17/2018, 05:45 PM

How big is the DT? 20g is a pretty small sump, and you have a lot planned for such a little space. Chaeto prefers enough flow to get it to tumble some

warrenmichaels · 12/17/2018, 08:52 PM

90 gal. I think I'll use something other than chaeto. Maybe I should go larger.

Vinny Kreyling · 12/18/2018, 09:14 AM

You have to remember-- most sumps operate around the 1/2 full mark.
So while you have a 20 gallon sump there is only around 10 - 12 gallons of water there

laverda · 12/20/2018, 03:26 AM

I would not even bother with a 20 gallon sump on a 90 gallon tank. Your not going to be able to get enough flow through it without bubbles being a big problem. I would also be concerned about using an external pump plumbed to a bulkhead in glass as thin as used on a 20 gallon tank. Most external pumps are to much flow for a 20 gallon sump. Your not going to have enough room for cheeto to even be effective. Get the biggest sump you can fit under your stand. Using an internal pump will give you more room and less risk of leaks. You only need 400-500 GPH flow through your sump, so the pump will not take up much room. If you use a good quality energy efficient return pump you should not be adding significant heat to your system.
It makes much more sense to have your filter floss in the sump before your cheeto and skimmer. Otherwise your going to get a lot of debris settling out in your sump.

12/17/2018, 10:18 AM	#1
warrenmichaels Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 63	plumbing and straining in sump question I'm building a sump from a 20 gal long. I'm planning to have two inputs (main and overflow), one output, and an external pump. It will be three chambers, with the first being a refugium with chaeto, the second being for the skimmer, and the third being a return. For the inputs, I'm planning to have both of them plumbed to the bottom of the tank. Each will be at either end. The main input will be connected to an "L" that directs the flow to the lengthwise horizontal center of the refugium, then directs the flow at 90 degrees to travel across the refugium widthwise. The output will be at roughly the same height as the external pump. Since I'll have 7" of head in the return chamber, it won't be an issue, will it? Finally, as needed, I'm thinking of hooking a filter floss strainer to the return bulkhead inside the display tank. It will be hooked up for a few hours a week when I'm cleaning the tank, just to catch debris. Is there any reason why any of these three ideas won't work? Thanks

12/17/2018, 05:45 PM	#3
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	How big is the DT? 20g is a pretty small sump, and you have a lot planned for such a little space. Chaeto prefers enough flow to get it to tumble some __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

12/18/2018, 09:14 AM	#5
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	You have to remember-- most sumps operate around the 1/2 full mark. So while you have a 20 gallon sump there is only around 10 - 12 gallons of water there __________________ 250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps.

12/20/2018, 03:26 AM	#6
laverda Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Anaheim, CA Posts: 6,902	I would not even bother with a 20 gallon sump on a 90 gallon tank. Your not going to be able to get enough flow through it without bubbles being a big problem. I would also be concerned about using an external pump plumbed to a bulkhead in glass as thin as used on a 20 gallon tank. Most external pumps are to much flow for a 20 gallon sump. Your not going to have enough room for cheeto to even be effective. Get the biggest sump you can fit under your stand. Using an internal pump will give you more room and less risk of leaks. You only need 400-500 GPH flow through your sump, so the pump will not take up much room. If you use a good quality energy efficient return pump you should not be adding significant heat to your system. It makes much more sense to have your filter floss in the sump before your cheeto and skimmer. Otherwise your going to get a lot of debris settling out in your sump. __________________ 240G mixed reef, 29G SPS/LPS clam tank, 50G mixed reef Current Tank Info: 300g mixed reef, 50g cube

12/17/2018, 11:39 AM	#2
warrenmichaels Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 63	Also, how much flow can chaeto tolerate? Will too much flow shred it?

12/17/2018, 08:52 PM	#4
warrenmichaels Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 63	90 gal. I think I'll use something other than chaeto. Maybe I should go larger.