29g sump design feedback

[dmb5245]

Hi all. After years of dart frogs and freshwater, I'm jumping into reefing. I'm in the process of setting up a 75g with a 29g sump (build thread imminent), but i wanted to get some feedback on my sump design before I start cutting glass. Here is the model with most of the dimensions:

• Standard rimmed 29g (30L, 18H, 12W)
• Splashdown -> Submerged Socks -> Skimmer -> Fuge -> Return
• Beananimal (Primary/Secondary/Emergency left to right)
• 1/4" glass baffles. The sock holder will be 1/4" acrylic because of the big holes and geometry
• Two 1-1/2" holes to flow from sock area to skimmer area (same as my external overflow)
• Bubble Magnus 5 Elite Skimmer
• Jaebo DCP-4000 return pump

I've verified that my skimmer and return pump fit and I can get the drain lines to land as expected. I'm pretty sure I have plenty of headspace for when the pump kicks off (estimating ~8g buffer), but I'll shorten the baffles if that proves wrong.

So outside of those easy checks, does anyone see any red flags? Should I steal an inch of fuge space to add a 3rd baffle to the bubble trap? Does the splashdown and sock area seem workable? I went a little fancy there because I wanted the socks to be out in the open for easy maintenance. Any thoughts are appreciated.

Thanks in advance

 

[ShepherdReefer]

Looks good; how significant are the openings from the sock filters to the next chamber? I might suggest making that opening a little more to allow the flow.

 

[dmb5245]

Thanks for the feedback. A pair of 1.5” diameter holes. No reason I couldn’t add a third

 

[dedragon]

the second chamber looks to have a 1'2" wall that water needs to go over before it gets to the next section. If this is the case, water in the first chamber where it overflows to the socks is going to equally have a water level at 1'2". As long as flow is high enough or that filter socks fit snug it wont be an issue but I like having socks higher up than the water level. If the socks dont fit very snug they can float out of place and allow unfiltered water into the sump. You will also need to submerge into the water to change the socks

 

[dedragon]

I have to measure my sump but the 1" bubble trap may be too small and if it is can cause issues with it allowing small bubbles to get through

 

[dedragon]

Also I think you may have used the outer dimension of the tank at 30" and 12" while the inner dimensions are not actually that big so cutting glass for them beforehand might prove an issue. I would try to measure the inner dimensions to figure out size of the glass and acylic panes

 

[dmb5245]

Great feedback. I’ll definitely raise the socks up closer to that 14” water level.

For the bubble trap, do you mean the distance between baffles should be greater?

And yes, the dimensions are a little off. I started making cardboard templates.

 

[dedragon]

For the bubble trap, do you mean the distance between baffles should be greater?

yea but i will double check mine first and let you know the distance between mine as that will be more helpful, I had some coming through and used lifeguard aquamesh to mitigate the issue