Could really use some help redesigning my sump

[Klyle]

I bought this baffle kit for a 20L tank and assembled it as shown in the photo. I made the drain section a little larger to accommodate a tunze comline dc skimmer (which mounts to the glass with magnets, making adjusting the height easy), a heater, and pump for a carbon reactor. The second chamber is a “refugium”...I’m working on it. Then the bubble trap, followed by the return chamber. Here’s my problem. When I put my return pump into feed mode my skimmer section floods, which requires me to pause the skimmer and remove the cup every time I feed my tank. It’s a pain. I’m thinking I need to move the baffle with the adjustable weir before the refugium and maybe reduce the amount of water in my sump in order to keep the skimmer chamber from fluctuating? Also if i swap the two baffles, being that the one pictured on the left has holes all through it, will that have any negative effects on the bubble trap or refugium? (I plan on growing chaeto and pods) I really appreciate anyone’s input!

 

[Jaebster]

Welcome to R2R!!! And since I cant give you a response... here's a bump!

 

[Auquanut]

Welcome Kyle! I personally don't use a feed mode option, but there are a lot of folks here that do. I'm sure someone will chime in with good advice.

 

[ColdOceanReef]

My 2 cents. Generally, when you stop or slow down your return pump for any reason. Water volume in the sump raises cause your skimmer overflow. When I use feed mode, my controller will shut down the skimmer as well. Some reefers add a check valve on the return line when they shut down the return pump. Regardless, your skimmer performances will fluctuate due to changes in water level.

 

[Klyle]

So, I am considering a check valve. My problem is more having to remove the skimmer cup twice a day, not necessarily hitting the pause button. (If I dont it will overflow the collector back into the sump) I was under the impression if I had a properly designed sump there would be no fluctuation of the water level in the skimmer chamber?

 

[Beau_B]

No fluctuations while return pump is running. My sump overflows the baffles if I stop flow. I have similar design although diy and full size skimmer.

I too opt not to use feed mode. My return is only off for water change.

 

[Klyle]

Thanks for the input. If that’s the case and it isn’t feasible to keep the skimmer chamber level constant, feed mode will become filter sock mode! So there’s no advantage to switching the baffles around so the adjustable weir is before the refugium?

 

[Beau_B]

I wouldn’t change the baffles, it wouldn’t cure the problem in my opinion and would likely create new ones.

I don’t know how much water back flows into your sump when the pump is off, but in mine it’s enough that it just barely overflows all the baffles, so the order doesn’t matter. I don’t turn the pump off to change socks. Truly it’s only for water changes.

edit: My skimmer doesn’t flood out with the return pump off. That seems like a massive change in water height! Perhaps you should look at getting a siphon break or adjusting the output so less water flows back into the sump. I don’t like backflow preventers, but some do use them successfully.

Another solution might be to use a feeding ring if you’re trying to keep food from being sucked into the sump. I personally prefer the broadcast and with the speed my fish eat... very little makes it to the overflow.

 

[Klyle]

I appreciate the advice. I think I'll start using the feeding ring and possibly put a check valve on my return to minimize the back flow...the more I think about it the more pointless using the feed mode seems to be!

 

[Arthacker87]

I like the feed option id figure out a way to break the flow as well. Maybe elevate skimmer? I'm sure I'll run into same problem so I'm reading this as well.

 

[Klyle]

It's a tunze comline skimmer that mounts to the side magnetically...its pretty much raised as far as it can go but then again so is my adjustable weir...I may play with reducing the height of the weir as well as the amount of water currently in my sump. I'll take some measurements of water height, skimmer height, etc and post them later and will update on any mods I make.

 

[lpsouth1978]

My solution for this problem was to put my skimmer and return pump on smart plugs (no controller for me). I can control the smart plugs through Google Assistant using my voice. When it is time to feed, I simply say "Ok Google, turn off skimmer and return" and they both turn off. When the food has all been eaten, I say "Ok Google, turn on Return". Five minutes later I say "OK Google, turn on Skimmer".

Simple and effective. By doing it this way I have no skimmer overflow issues. The biggest problem I have had was forgetting to turn the skimmer back on in 5 minutes. Ususally I remember in 30 minutes or so. Not a big deal at all.