Custom sump question

[Bruce7267ad]

So I'm going to be making my own sump and I wanted to know do I have to put in the glass compartments or can I just put the skimmer in there and a few other things

 

[Snoopy 67]

If you are comfortable with a single chamber why not?

 

[Bruce7267ad]

If you are comfortable with a single chamber why not?

I agree I was just always curious why everyone has the different chambers I thought maybe it helps separate each station from each other so whatever you have that station doing it does a better job of I will be using it for refugium or anything that advanced but I'll have a skimmer in there and then the duel gfo and carbon I'll have somehow in there got to do a little more research on how this all works and then of course I'll have my return on the far right side

 

[Snoopy 67]

If you are going to have a refugium then I suggest it be in a separate section to avoid being sucked into a pump or skimmer.

 

[BornHandy]

Different sections aren't required, but can be helpful, depending on what your goals are. For example, you might want a filter sock in a deeper section for particulate filtration or carbon. Baffles can be helpful in eliminating bubbles that might get sucked into your return pump. Baffles can also be a good place to place sponges or egg crate to keep critters from wandering too close to your pump.

Different water levels are also helpful in running different types of equipment because some things have different water depth requirements.

Also, a smaller chamber for your return pump shows water level changes (from evaporation) better than a single open sump would do. That makes it easier to maintain super consistent TDS if you are manually replacing top-off water.

Lots of other benefits, but not one are a must.

 

[Bruce7267ad]

Different sections aren't required, but can be helpful, depending on what your goals are. For example, you might want a filter sock in a deeper section for particulate filtration or carbon. Baffles can be helpful in eliminating bubbles that might get sucked into your return pump. Baffles can also be a good place to place sponges or egg crate to keep critters from wandering too close to your pump.

Different water levels are also helpful in running different types of equipment because some things have different water depth requirements.

Also, a smaller chamber for your return pump shows water level changes (from evaporation) better than a single open sump would do. That makes it easier to maintain super consistent TDS if you are manually replacing top-off water.

Lots of other benefits, but not one are a must.

I would be replacing the water manually so I could see where the sections would come into play Abit more.maybe I'll just do the one section at 8 in high cuz I know my skimmer they say should be 7 in into the water

 

[Bruce7267ad]

Different sections aren't required, but can be helpful, depending on what your goals are. For example, you might want a filter sock in a deeper section for particulate filtration or carbon. Baffles can be helpful in eliminating bubbles that might get sucked into your return pump. Baffles can also be a good place to place sponges or egg crate to keep critters from wandering too close to your pump.

Different water levels are also helpful in running different types of equipment because some things have different water depth requirements.

Also, a smaller chamber for your return pump shows water level changes (from evaporation) better than a single open sump would do. That makes it easier to maintain super consistent TDS if you are manually replacing top-off water.

Lots of other benefits, but not one are a must.

I would be replacing the water manually so I could see where the sections would come into play Abit more.maybe I'll just do the one section at 8 in high cuz I know my skimmer they say should be 7 in into the water

 

[BornHandy]

I would be replacing the water manually so I could see where the sections would come into play Abit more.maybe I'll just do the one section at 8 in high cuz I know my skimmer they say should be 7 in into the water

It'll work like a dream. Post some pics when you get started!

 

[Bruce7267ad]

It'll work like a dream. Post some pics when you get started!

Also this will be my first time using a dual carbon and gfo reactor and I'm just curious as to where I should exit the polished water at. Into the display right? Kinda a newbie question sorry.

 

[Elliott Comans]

Also baffles help to control water flow through media
If it's single chamber water doesn't run too well through everything (depends what your running) but baffles create paths for water = maximum contact with media
The evaporation management is also a good point.

 

[bluprntguy]

My old sump drove me crazy because when I turned the return pumps off the water level in the skimmer section would rise and make the skimmer go nuts. I always had to be sure to turn the skimmer off along with the return pump. Seems to be typical of standard sump designs.

My new sump is carefully designed so that doesn't happen.

 

[lapin]

Also this will be my first time using a dual carbon and gfo reactor and I'm just curious as to where I should exit the polished water at. Into the display right? Kinda a newbie question sorry.

That water needs to get back to the display tank. If you exit it right in front of your return pump you will be fine. Let that pump do the work.
I would add an over / under baffle and seperate the return pump from the rest. You will have a lot of micro bubbles from your drain pipes and skimmer. If you pump those back into your tank it will look cloudy. The over / under will cause those to pop.

 

[Sailingeric]

I have a single chamber sump-20 gallon long. For my refugium I have a plastic weave basket I got at Target to hold my chaeto.

 

[Bruce7267ad]

Do you guys have any sump kits you recommend for a 20 gal. High sump so I can have a few compartments. Ebay seems to have a few but it's kinda murky for what little I know

 

[joec]

Make two chambers with a set of baffles in between, one for a the skimmer section with a stable depth and a return section. Don't make the return section small, that will mean you will have to add water more often.

Make sure all the equipment you want in the sump fits the chamber you want them in, heaters for example

 

[lapin]

Do you guys have any sump kits you recommend for a 20 gal. High sump so I can have a few compartments. Ebay seems to have a few but it's kinda murky for what little I know

Fugi makes a kit for a 20 long. Avail on the amozon. and it says what make tanks it fits .
You will need to know either the width of your tank or the manufacture. 20 highs have 2 widths. 20 longs also have 2 widths.
http://www.aquariumdimensions.com/

 

[OutsideBrian]

I purchased one of the eBay kits for my 20Long. It’s been fine for me the last few months.

 

[Pntbll687]

So I'm going to be making my own sump and I wanted to know do I have to put in the glass compartments or can I just put the skimmer in there and a few other things

I ran a single compartment for a while on my 20 long, it was just a rubbermaid container. The only problem I ran into was when The hose came off the return pipe and it pumped the whole contents of the sump onto the floor. Which found its way to the first floor and basement of the house!!

I would advise a single baffle to control how much water can be pumped back into the display in case of a clog in the drain pipe. Thus reducing the risk of flooding

 

[Bruce7267ad]

I purchased one of the eBay kits for my 20Long. It’s been fine for me the last few months.

I think I got this one what's up with the cut out slits on some of the acrylic sections?

 

[Pntbll687]

I think I got this one what's up with the cut out slits on some of the acrylic sections?

just to allow water to flow through

you see that on sumps that have something that slides up and down to control water level. I imagine they use the same piece on this kit.