20G long sump diy question

Justin....#JAMAS · Jul 23, 2018

Hey everyone hope all is well, hey so im finally setting up my 20 gallon long sump and only have a long shorter piece of glass and a wider long piece.....i was curious if anybody had any pointers on where i should silicone these in place at? I have this small octo bh50, return pump that can fit in the same chamber, and was going to put my chaeto and matrix from my old sump now directly into the middle....

Justin....#JAMAS · Jul 23, 2018

EW_Fish · Jul 23, 2018

I would not run the skimmer and return pump in the same chamber. Skimmers cause micro bubbles and in some cases they escape the skimmer. If they are in the same chamber then there is a good chance of them getting to your display. 20L are great sumps because of how long they are you can fit a good amount of chambers.

Justin....#JAMAS · Jul 23, 2018

EW_Fish said:
I would not run the skimmer and return pump in the same chamber. Skimmers cause micro bubbles and in some cases they escape the skimmer. If they are in the same chamber then there is a good chance of them getting to your display. 20L are great sumps because of how long they are you can fit a good amount of chambers.

man i wish i had that skimmer!!! Nice! I was trying to get one like that but funds are kinda limited! Bills just dont stop coming in the mail! Haha

Buuuut yeah i dont really have anymore money to spend and what i have in that pic is what i have to work with....so could i put the skimmer in with the chaeto and matrix and get away with that! Besides this little octo bh50 mounts freaking anywhere! Super convenient..

EW_Fish · Jul 23, 2018

You have enough to do this. You can run your skimmer in the fuge section yes BUT you can run into the risk of the skimmer pulling a piece in and sticking to the needle wheel (will it break the skimmer) Probably not but the skimmer will not work as well as it should (creating micro bubbles) I would find something to help filter out the skimmer intake if you are going to run in the fuge section like place rock around it

Justin....#JAMAS · Jul 23, 2018

EW_Fish said:
You have enough to do this. You can run your skimmer in the fuge section yes BUT you can run into the risk of the skimmer pulling a piece in and sticking to the needle wheel (will it break the skimmer) Probably not but the skimmer will not work as well as it should (creating micro bubbles) I would find something to help filter out the skimmer intake if you are going to run in the fuge section like place rock around it

Awesome!!! Looks great man!!! Thanks for the input! Really appreciate it!

EW_Fish · Jul 24, 2018

Justin..GO DAWGS!! said:
Awesome!!! Looks great man!!! Thanks for the input! Really appreciate it!

This hobby doesn't require fancy setups to have nice displays. You just need what works. There are many systems that run open sumps with rubber maid tanks that their displays are simply beautiful.

Justin....#JAMAS · Jul 24, 2018

EW_Fish said:
This hobby doesn't require fancy setups to have nice displays. You just need what works. There are many systems that run open sumps with rubber maid tanks that their displays are simply beautiful.

yeah so far thats what i have done is just make it work and it has def exceeded my expectation and have impressed myself! Hey quick question in your first picture i noticed you had two baffles that were black with little holes in it, than the 2nd pic you have reg glass baffles! What height did you put your first baffle by your line coming into the tank and what height is the one by your return....coukdnt really tell too well with that stuff in front of it.....

Justin....#JAMAS · Jul 24, 2018

Also, did you get that filter sock holder from brs or your lfs? Im guessing you got it from a store or something and it mounted pretty easy on the side of your sump....im gonna have to make one lol

but again, we always make it work!! Lol

Justin....#JAMAS · Jul 24, 2018

Or are those just pics u got from the internet?

Chef Tommy · Jul 24, 2018

Hope this help with ideas, this is a 20L for Triton with refugium first.

Justin....#JAMAS · Jul 24, 2018

Chef Tommy said:
Hope this help with ideas, this is a 20L for Triton with refugium first.

Yes this helps alot with some ideas!!! Thanks man

Chef Tommy · Jul 24, 2018

Found the other picture of my first 20L. This was non Triton. Look up glass shops in your area and that's where I got smoked baffles plus 1/4 inch glass.

Justin....#JAMAS · Jul 24, 2018

sweet!! How much was that smoked piece of glass

Chef Tommy · Jul 24, 2018

I really do not recall individual but together every in both sumps was around $35

Justin....#JAMAS · Jul 24, 2018

Same layout...but as i was reading on this website its recommended that the first baffle be atleast 10 to 12 inches....i was planning on putting the shorter piece thats 6 inches first bc its level with the skimmers top inlet part and the taller baffle thats 10 inches tall as my second baffle....the skimmer isnt a huge thing and the website said the taller baffle first just incase the skimmer overflows? does it matter really which baffle comes first? short or taller one?

Chef Tommy · Jul 24, 2018

You want tall baffle second in your case so it maintains water level in skimmer & refugium area

Chef Tommy · Jul 24, 2018

However, my first sump, did not have flow in bottom of fuge. Felt it just went over top & if I built that style again I'd have it go down then up

Chef Tommy · Jul 24, 2018

This is my Triton style sump, trying to give you pictures of what I mean by flow through the sump.

Chef Tommy · Jul 24, 2018

Also, I like this guys videos and here is a nice one he did on sumps.

Look at his too, he does not use filter socks. I only use them during cleaning and for 2 days afterwards. Just a thought for you. I have a sock mount if you would like to buy it off me though, otherwise I use 3M hooks. You can zoom in & see it on drain line