My first diy sump. Help!

[glb]

I'm planning a 40g breeder build with a 20g long sump. I'm designing it now and have some questions. First, here's the equipment I've already bought:

SC SCA-301 skimmer, water height between 6-7".
Jebao DCT 6000 return pump (6.3"x3.5"x4.5")
Two little fishies phosban reactor

Here are my questions:

1. What order should the equipment go in the sump? From what I've seen, it seems to be skimmer in first chamber (where water comes from the overflow), reactors in second chamber and the return pump in the third.

2. What are ideal heights for the dividers? I know I can put the skimmer on something if I need to. Is this beneficial? Do the dividers go from tallest to shortest? I haven't built my stand yet so I can adjust things.

3. Do I need a bubble trap? If so, what is the best design (over, under, etc)?

The tank is 12" high. I know I need to leave room for some overflow in case of a power outage.

Recommended designs and divider heights would be greatly appreciated! Any other help would be great too, as I'm a beginner to this kind of diy!

 

[Happy Jon]

I like my reactors in the pump chamber. It pulls the cleanest water from there and less junk to gum up the sponges in the reactor.

 

[markalan]

Look on line for sump ideas that will help you most.

 

[glb]

Look on line for sump ideas that will help you most.

I have watched a few videos so I get the general idea. I'm just interested in what's worked for R2R people. They've always given me the best advice.

 

[glb]

I like my reactors in the pump chamber. It pulls the cleanest water from there and less junk to gum up the sponges in the reactor.

That makes a lot of sense. Do you have a refugium? I may skip it because I don't have a lot of space to work with.

 

[JMLewis]

I like to keep my skimmer in first chamber, macro algae in second, return pump and ATO equipment in the 3rd. Reactor go wherever they fit usually have the reactors drain into second chamber. Unless the reactors for biopellets, then that reactor needs to drain as close to skimmer inlet as possible.

 

[glb]

I like to keep my skimmer in first chamber, macro algae in second, return pump and ATO equipment in the 3rd. Reactor go wherever they fit usually have the reactors drain into second chamber. Unless the reactors for biopellets, then that reactor needs to drain as close to skimmer inlet as possible.

Thanks!

 

[n2585722]

I have a 42 gallon hex tank and there is very little room under the tank. Even building my own stand. The sump is about the size of a 10 gallon tank. To remove it from the stand I have to remove a side panel, remove the skimmer and remove the return manifold. I still managed put in a small refugium. See photo below.

 

[Pfisherman]

I like to keep my skimmer in first chamber, macro algae in second, return pump and ATO equipment in the 3rd. Reactor go wherever they fit usually have the reactors drain into second chamber. Unless the reactors for biopellets, then that reactor needs to drain as close to skimmer inlet as possible.

This is it.

 

[glb]

So if my skimmer needs 6-7" of water, how tall do you recommend I make the first divider?

 

[glb]

Also, if I do a bubble trap, where should I place it?

 

[Pfisherman]

You only need to be sure that when you cut power off that your sump doesn't overflow, otherwise you want as much water volume as possible.

 

[JMLewis]

Here's the sump I'm setting up now with 6" tall weirs. Nothing crazy but I like the simple design.

 

[glb]

You only need to be sure that when you cut power off that your sump doesn't overflow, otherwise you want as much water volume as possible.

How much clearance do you recommend?

 

[glb]

Here's the sump I'm setting up now with 6" tall weirs. Nothing crazy but I like the simple design.

Nice!

 

[n2585722]

So if my skimmer needs 6-7" of water, how tall do you recommend I make the first divider?

Do 7" then if you need less just make a stand to lift the skimmer enough to get it where you want it. It would be hard to to gain height but easy to raise the skimmer to lower height in skimmer.

 

[glb]

Do 7" then if you need less just make a stand to lift the skimmer enough to get it where you want it. It would be hard to to gain height but easy to raise the skimmer to lower height in skimmer.

Thanks!

 

[glb]

Do 7" then if you need less just make a stand to lift the skimmer enough to get it where you want it. It would be hard to to gain height but easy to raise the skimmer to lower height in skimmer.

So what height should the second divider be? Is this where the bubble trap goes, or should it go by the skimmer? Also, I've seen two kinds of bubble traps. One goes under/over/under and the other goes over/under/over. The advantage of the first one is that detritus doesn't accumulate between the glass. But would the first kind work? I really appreciate everyone's help!

 

[glb]

What about filter socks? Do you use them?

 

[JMLewis]

So what height should the second divider be? Is this where the bubble trap goes, or should it go by the skimmer? Also, I've seen two kinds of bubble traps. One goes under/over/under and the other goes over/under/over. The advantage of the first one is that detritus doesn't accumulate between the glass. But would the first kind work? I really appreciate everyone's help!

No need for a three part bubble trap ie. over under over or vise versa imo. Just having an under/over like the ones in the pic of my sump will do the trick. You can see the second weirs are about an inch off the bottom and go almost to the top.

And yes I always use socks. Once you start using em and you see how much stuff they pull out of the water you won't believe you ever went without em.