Newbie, 75 gal. Improving sump help?

[sushi1517]

I have a 75 gallon reef tank that I just got. I upgraded from a 16 gallon nano I have had for a few years. I have never used a sump before. I have a 30 gallon sump with hydor skimmer and I'm trying to figure out how to set it up with a fuge and return compartment for safety from overflowing display from possible power surge or clogging of overflow.

Question 1:
if I have a compartment for the return pump can I set it up to hold the last amount of water while ALSO having the fuse and skimmer compartment hold a greater amount of water? Or I can't hold more water than what my tank will drain down to the overflow still so I need to leave enough room in the sump still?
2: if I can do this does this mean I only need to worry about the return chambers volume of water being able hold in the display without overflowing right? In case of catastrophe lol. Or do I need another float/ATO in display to shut off the return pump, in case the return is to much for over flow? ( I had a weird situation where lights flickered I heard a weird noise from tank and suddenly it was filling to fast and almost over flowed the display)

3: how do I get a 20" long heater in there?

4: is the baffles setup in the best way and so bibles won't be in my display/the sump be loud in general?

[sushi1517]

here is a pic of the layout.

[seamonster124]

U need to drill holes in your return s if power goes out syphon breaks and then u should be ok with a small return chamber. Keep in mind a small return zone means constant top offs if u don't have auto top off

[pdiehm]

This is the sump I just built. 40 gallon breeder (love petco $1 per gallon).

Skimmer area is 10". Fuge area is about 14" x 13" high.

Return area is approximately 9" wide and will run 10" of water, maybe a smidge lower. Have a 7 gallon tipoff container and my osmolator.

Not planning on running a fuge right now but wanted to set it up with the plumbing for future use.

[sushi1517]

Originally Posted by seamonster124

U need to drill holes in your return s if power goes out syphon breaks and then u should be ok with a small return chamber. Keep in mind a small return zone means constant top offs if u don't have auto top off

My display is drilled. Where would I put holes? I'm confused

[seamonster124]

You need to holes in case of snail

[sushi1517]

[sushi1517]

My tank. The back is drilled.

Anyone know where I can get a float/ATO Cheap with snail guard for display as a safe guard for the return??

[sushi1517]

Q: what thickness should I buy in acrylic to make baffles for the sump? ?
Anyone think of a better lay out so I can make the heater fit?

[zachts]

Originally Posted by sushi1517

Q: what thickness should I buy in acrylic to make baffles for the sump? ?
Anyone think of a better lay out so I can make the heater fit?

If your going to have a fuge section, or any section with a different level of water you'll need to use glass. acrylic will not hold the bond to the silicone and will start leaking eventually, so your fuge section may end up the same level as the rest of the sump depending on how much flow you have going to it compared to how much the seal leaks.

Also if using acrylic keep in mind it will expand when soaked in water so cut the pieces with at least an 1/8" gap on each side that will be touching the glass or risk the acrylic cracking your tank....best to avoid using acrylic in a glass tank if you can

[zachts]

Originally Posted by sushi1517

here is a pic of the layout.

Also I'd move the bubble trap to just before the return section if doing a fuge that flows the full gph going into the sump. I'd suggest you consider making the return section larger as well, I speak from experience when saying it is a PITA to get pumps and stuff in and out of such a small space.

Otherwise your diagram is pretty much the exact layout I run (though I didn't include a bubble trap, wish I had though)

[scubadan206]

Keep your glass bubble traps far enough apart. If you drop something in their, you don't want to shave your knuckles off to reach down.

[zachts]

Originally Posted by scubadan206

Keep your glass bubble traps far enough apart. If you drop something in their, you don't want to shave your knuckles off to reach down.

A little sand paper is a good idea......