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. Amazon.com: Eshopps PF-800 Overflow Box - Up to 125 gal.: Pet Supplies
• Coralife New Style Super Skimmer Protein Skimmer for tanks up to 65 gallons Amazon.com: Coralife New Style Super Skimmer Protein Skimmer for tanks up to 65 gallons: Pet Supplies
• Maxi-Jet Pro Aquarium Pump 1200 GPH (used with protein skimmer) Amazon.com: Marineland Ml90512 Maxi-Jet 1200 PRO, 295/1300GPH: Pet Supplies
• Danner 02722 Pondmaster 1200GPH Pump Amazon.com: Danner 02722 Pondmaster 1200GPH Pump: Patio, Lawn & Garden
  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!

 

[LukeG]

The Danner pumps are work horses but loud. Check into the beananimal silent and safe over flow. It's a great design. The return pump should determine the flow rate as long as you don't go over what the skimmer box can handle. In general you want to turn the tank 10 times per hour.

The skimmer should have it's own pump. People seem to really like the reef octopus brand skimmers. My father-in-law swears by his. In general, recirculating skimmers work the best.

Make sure you get magnets for your power heads as suction cups won't hold. Random flow is better so look into a wave maker.

My bubble traps are 1/2" apart but 1" works fine. I used a small gap because my sump is small. I don't think you need to raise the middle baffle 3" I'd go an inch or two.

Patience is a virtue.

 

[Dave A]

There are 2 schools of thought on sump flow rates. High flow is in the range of 6-10 times the total system volume per hour, low flow is 2-5 times per hour. The difference is mostly a matter of choice between turnover rate and contact time. Your 55 probably has less than 50 gal in it once you a account for substrate and live rock, your 22 gal sump will normally hold a little more than half it's total volume so 60 gal is probably a safe estimate of your system volume. High flow works out to 360-600 gph. Low flow would be in the 120-300 gph range.
It is a popular idea to size your skimmer to process at least half of the water passing through the sump. If you flow 400 gph, select a skimmer that is rated for at least 200 gph. I don't have first hand experience with enough skimmers in your size range to make specific recommendations but the one you've linked would not be on my radar.
Your sump design should work very well in a low flow system but I would not use it for higher flow rates. IMHO you never want to run more than the typical low flow rates through any refugium and your narrow sump makes this even more of an issue. If you want to run high flow rates, it is a good idea to put your return in the center compartment and the fuge on the end, fed by a tee and valve from the return pump. With your design and pump choice, I'd be afraid that you'd have have whitewater in your fuge.

 

[shovelrider]

The CSS 65 is a little small for your set up. You should always go with a skimmer that is rated at least double your water volume. If you want an inexspensive skimmer that works well, take a look at these...
SC Aquariums



There is alot of info on the sca-302 aka sca-150. The price is climbing as they become more popular.
I have the sca-302 myself on my 45g with 10g sump. It is big for a 10g sump but I bought it with plans to upgrade to a 75g - 90g display with a 20g long or 40g breeder as the sump.
Even though the 302 is rated at 180g everyone who has one says not to go over 90g with the 302 if you are moderately stocked.

I use the Magdrive 7 on my set up with a head height of about 4.5 works pretty well but I will go with the 9 next time.

Sump light can be a cheepo cfl from lowes in the 5600k range if I remenber correctly(I Havnt grown macro in about a year now).
Gate valves work way better than ball valves IMHO and yes you can throttle the pump down with a valve.

Look into drilling your tank, it is really easy and lots of info on this as well. You can build your own overflow box or buy one. A google search of glass hole overflow box will return some vendors.

Good luck!