Direction and Depth of Sump Return

[Hugh Mann]

First tank with a sump. Currently my return just goes up and over the top of the tank, dumping the water straight down about 1” above what will be the water level. Obviously going to be noisy and messy as heck, but I figure this will suffice to cause enough surface disturbance to facilitate gas exchange (along with the sump) until I can get a protein skimmer in a few months. (Real low bioload and no corals).

Anyways, I’m kinda wondering what most folks to with their returns. Is the outlet submerged to keep it quiet? Facing down, forward or to the side for extra current?

 

[Gtinnel]

Mine is just under the water surface point parallel to the waters surface to aid in surface agitation. Don't forget if you submerge the outlet you have to take into account back siphoning when the pump is turned off.

 

[Hugh Mann]

Mine is just under the water surface point parallel to the waters surface to aid in surface agitation. Don't forget if you submerge the outlet you have to take into account back siphoning when the pump is turned off.

Yarp. Fortunately my sump is ridiculously oversized. Could siphon back about 7” of water before it overflowed.

 

[mdb_talon]

Anyways, I’m kinda wondering what most folks to with their returns. Is the outlet submerged to keep it quiet? Facing down, forward or to the side for extra current?

Submerged for quiet and also splash/salt creep.