5 chamber, 20 Long sump project

[Helenareefer]

I recently bought what I thought was an established SW FOWLR 75g tank, with proper filtration for reefing. I start doing more indepth resurch and find that I just don't have what I felt was adequate filtration for a reef. So I decided to design and build my own sump, and here is the process. Feel free to bash or give advice! I'm brand new to this and would love some feedback...

I hashed out what I liked and didn't like on many designs while resurching, and came up with this 5 chamber mock up.

From left to right.
1. Overflow from tank
2. Single 4" drain into a filter sock
3. Baffle to center Refug section
4. Two removable filtration trays i.e. Phos spunge, carbon sock
5. Baffle to return section

 

[Helenareefer]

I go purchace my materials and get to work.

First I cut my baffles and fitted them in the tank. Not so straight forward as just going by the demensions of the tank. There are slight differences throughout.


First chamber

Baffle, refuge

Filter chamber, baffle to return

 

[Helenareefer]

Not sure what happend there.

Anyway, first section

 

[Helenareefer]

Baffle, Refuge

 

[Chris-tico]

looking good

 

[Helenareefer]

Filter chamber baffle to return

 

[Helenareefer]

Next I silicone sealed each wall, starting from the outsides in. Just figured that would be easiest. I'll say this...I wish I had found more info on the chalenges you incounter during this part of the build. It's pretty tricky in some areas, so some places got a very heavy dose of sealant because all I could reach was one side of the seam.

Here it is all glued up and drying. Please feel free to point and laugh at the caulking job.

 

[baadbay]

where your skimmer go

 

[Helenareefer]

Good question. I have a AquaC Remora HOB that works beautifuly, but if I ever upgrade, I figure I can use the Refuge section for an in sump skimmer and have a seperate Refugium.

 

[Helenareefer]

Some things of note...

If you look at the baffle to the Refuge, you can see that I drilled about 15 small holes in the wall. I figured the extra flow accross the LR would be better than just over the top.

Also the filtration trays are removable for access.

 

[a49panhead]

With such a small return chamber u will need a ato. The return chamber will be the only place u will see evaporation. And u don't want to run your pump dry

 

[Helenareefer]

With such a small return chamber u will need a ato. The return chamber will be the only place u will see evaporation. And u don't want to run your pump dry

I hadn't considered this.

I suppose I still have room for a 5 gallon bucket with RO/DI water in the cabinet.

What if I plumb a second, slower, line from my overflow to the return? Where will the evaporation show?

 

[Helenareefer]

In my minds eye the evaporation shows in the display at that point...is that right?

 

[baadbay]

no it in the sump area next to return

 

[VicD81]

I dont see why you would do that, essentially bypassing all your filtration. Your filter sock will catch all the floating particles if you bypass that you are going to get detritus buildup in the return section and possibly micro bubbles.

 

[Helenareefer]

I dont see why you would do that, essentially bypassing all your filtration. Your filter sock will catch all the floating particles if you bypass that you are going to get detritus buildup in the return section and possibly micro bubbles.

True, but a little detritus is better than a burned up pump untill I can work out an ATO.

 

[baadbay]

I dont see why you would do that, essentially bypassing all your filtration. Your filter sock will catch all the floating particles if you bypass that you are going to get detritus buildup in the return section and possibly micro bubbles.

? evaporation next to return

 

[a49panhead]

Do to a overflow system u will only see evap in your return chamber. With a small sump u have to think less is more. I run a 20 long. My sock shares a chamber with my skimmer. Refuge. Return

 

[VicD81]

Regardless it will still show in the return section. If you think about it every other section in the system has a set overflow. For each chamber to get water it needs to spill over the previous and that includes the display. The only section that isn't set is you return. Your only solution is an ATO or just closely monitor that return. There are also pumps that will shut off automatically in the even it runs dry.

 

[Helenareefer]

Regardless it will still show in the return section. If you think about it every other section in the system has a set overflow. For each chamber to get water it needs to spill over the previous and that includes the display. The only section that isn't set is you return. Your only solution is an ATO or just closely monitor that return. There are also pumps that will shut off automatically in the even it runs dry.

Okay, that clears up the picture. Thanks

I will get to work on an ATO then update the thread. Meanwhile I will check it twice a day.