New to sumps. Advice?

[willertac]

I was researching about the best kind of way to keep my tank. I found an article about making your own sump, which I am both uneasy about and interested in.
I have a 55g tank I am going to make saltwater. I plan on it being a FOWLR for now. It is made of tempered glass, so no drilling. I have some questions about creating a sump for my tank.
1. How big should the whole sump be compared to the tank size, and can it be a regular tank (tank not specifically for a sump)?
2. Where does the heater get placed?
3. In the refugium, do I need to supply the pods or do they grow on the macro algae and live rock?
4. will the live rock in the refugium seed the base rock in the display tank?
5. with the flow of the return, how many powerheads should I get (I know it would be specific to species I plan on getting, nut give me a general opinion, please)
6. How does the water flow from the separate sections to the return section?

I also have a few questions about the equipment I would add to the sump.
1. What Reef Octopus (or other) in-sump is good for me?
2. Where can I get the components (such as pumps, walls to separate sections, U-tube and overflow, plumbing...)?
3. Are the pumps the things that move the water to and fro, or what?

Is this the better (and cheaper) way to go for my tank?

Thanks in advance!

 

[bobbyrobot]

1. It can be a regular tank but you will want to silicone in some glass baffles to break up any micro bubbles and separate the different sections of the sump. You want it to be at least large enought to house a skimmer and return section and be able to handle any water that will drain into it when the pumps are shut off. But the general rule is as big as you can fit the better.

2.The heater(s) get placed pretty much anywhere.

3. Most of the time quality live rock that has been seeded will have some life in it but it's never bad to sees with some also.

4. It will eventually sees it but I would add a little live rock to the display also just my opinion.

5. Really depends on how much return you have. But you will probably want to add an extra power head or two.

6. The water flowed over and under the baffles. You set them in a staggered position but will want a constant water level in the skimmer section a bad refugium if you have it.

The reef octopus skimmers are very nice. I also love ASM and Avast skimmers personally.

Your LFS should carry a lot of the components but most of the R2R sponsors carry all the components as well.

The water drains to the sump either through gravity or siphon or a combination of both froma hang on overflow box since you don't have a drilled tank. A pump is used to get the water back to the display which should match the max gph of the overflow.

I always feel a sump is better. It will increase your water volume making the tank more stable and give an area to hide equipment along with more appropriate filtration equipment/ methods like a good skimmer and refugium.

 

[AZDesertRat]

This is probably the best site for DIY sump info there is:
Melevsreef.com | Acrylic Sumps & Refugiums

 

[bobbyrobot]

This is probably the best site for DIY sump info there is:
Melevsreef.com | Acrylic Sumps & Refugiums

^+1

 

[WhoKnew]

CPR AquaFuge 2 Hang-on Refugium



From $149.99
I'm going to try this on my 46 bow front. I do not have room for a large sump.

 

[willertac]

This is probably the best site for DIY sump info there is:
Melevsreef.com | Acrylic Sumps & Refugiums

Can you perhaps explain to me the "How do I determine what return pump I need" section to me? The links don't work and I'm confused.

 

[AZDesertRat]

A good size for a return pump is 5x your display tank volume after headloss. Your display is 55 gallons so a good size would be say 300 GPH at 4-5 feet of head. You can always go a little bigger and use a ball or gate valve on the discharge side of the pump to regulate flow if needed.

 

[willertac]

A good size for a return pump is 5x your display tank volume after headloss. Your display is 55 gallons so a good size would be say 300 GPH at 4-5 feet of head. You can always go a little bigger and use a ball or gate valve on the discharge side of the pump to regulate flow if needed.

Thank you.

 

[WhoKnew]

I went to Marine Depot, a sponsor of this site. I found numerous alternatives for sumps and pluming. The unit I purchased was recommended to me by a friend and fellow reefer. It will do all that I need, and I have a good skimmer. I start moving my 30g into my 46g bow front.

 

[MBG75]

Standard 55g is a difficult tank to aqua scape due to the dimensions

 

[mfinn]

A good size for a return pump is 5x your display tank volume after headloss. Your display is 55 gallons so a good size would be say 300 GPH at 4-5 feet of head. You can always go a little bigger and use a ball or gate valve on the discharge side of the pump to regulate flow if needed.

+1.

 

[Reefing Madness]

I was researching about the best kind of way to keep my tank. I found an article about making your own sump, which I am both uneasy about and interested in.
I have a 55g tank I am going to make saltwater. I plan on it being a FOWLR for now. It is made of tempered glass, so no drilling. I have some questions about creating a sump for my tank.
1. How big should the whole sump be compared to the tank size, and can it be a regular tank (tank not specifically for a sump)?
As big as you can stuff under in the cabinet, if its the same size all the better.

2. Where does the heater get placed?
If using a Middle section, where it bigger, thats where most would put them.

3. In the refugium, do I need to supply the pods or do they grow on the macro algae and live rock?
They will come out of the live rock, and coral that you buy. You can dose them if you wish, and you'd only need to do it once.

4. will the live rock in the refugium seed the base rock in the display tank?
Yup, sure will.

5. with the flow of the return, how many powerheads should I get (I know it would be specific to species I plan on getting, nut give me a general opinion, please)
I would not count the flow from the return, as you don't want it directed or restricted in any way. So for a FOWLR you'd only need 550gph in power heads. But I would put in 2 425gph Hydors.

6. How does the water flow from the separate sections to the return section?
Either over or under baffles that are placed in the sump, or you just leave it wide open and there no flow to worry about, it just goes into the sump and back out, no restrictions.

I also have a few questions about the equipment I would add to the sump.

1. What Reef Octopus (or other) in-sump is good for me?
150 Gal. Skimmer - SC Aquariums
Reef Octopus NWB110 4? Pinwheel In Sump Protein Skimmer - Bulk Reef Supply


2. Where can I get the components (such as pumps, walls to separate sections, U-tube and overflow, plumbing...)?
Hydor Koralia Nano Evolution 425 GPH Wavemaker Pump | eBay
Overflow Box s 600 GPH Aquarium Sump Wet Dry Pre Filter 1" Bulkhead Coral Reef | eBay
Shop Watts 1' x 1-3/4" Polyethylene Spa Flex Hose at Lowes.com

Local Glass company for your baffles, if you wish to put them in.

3. Are the pumps the things that move the water to and fro, or what?
Powerheads create water movement. Water pumps move water to and fro, and can also be used for lots of water movement.

Is this the better (and cheaper) way to go for my tank?
We can get you set up pretty good. Your on the right track. But if running just a FOWLR you don't need the sump, unless your planning on corals in the long run. But you could always install it at a later date.

Thanks in advance!

There we go. Anything else, just give us a shout.

 

[Reefing Madness]

For over flow, if your using one 1" drain, you can get up to 950gph through gravity feed. So you need to take out about 4-5' of head loss, or just say 5' of pipe going up.

[TD="class: top prod_head_pumpmodel"]Pump Model[/TD]
[TD="class: top prod_head_maximumflowbrgph"]Maximum Flow
GPH[/TD]
[TD="class: top prod_head_minimumflowbrgph"]Minimum Flow
GPH *[/TD]
[TD="class: top prod_head_maxflowbrat1"]Max Flow
at 1'[/TD]
[TD="class: top prod_head_maxflowbrat2"]Max Flow
at 2'[/TD]
[TD="class: top prod_head_maxflowbrat3"]Max Flow
at 3'[/TD]
[TD="class: top prod_head_maxflowbrat4"]Max Flow
at 4'[/TD]
[TD="class: top prod_head_maxflowbrat5"]Max Flow
at 5'[/TD]
[TD="class: top prod_head_maxflowbrat6"]Max Flow
at 6'[/TD]
[TD="class: top prod_head_maxflowbrat7"]Max Flow
at 7'[/TD]
[TD="class: top prod_head_maxflowbrat8"]Max Flow
at 8'[/TD]
[TD="class: top prod_head_maxflowbrat9"]Max Flow
at 9'[/TD]
[TD="class: top prod_head_maxflowbrat10"]Max Flow
at 10'[/TD]
[TD="class: top prod_head_shutoffbrfeet"]Shut Off
Feet[/TD]

[TD="class: prod_pumpmodel"]200[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maximumflowbrgph"]53[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_minimumflowbrgph"]35[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat1"]30[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat2"] [/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat3"] [/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat4"] [/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat5"] [/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat6"] [/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat7"] [/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat8"] [/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat9"] [/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat10"] [/TD]
[TD="class: prod_shutoffbrfeet"]1.64'[/TD]

[TD="class: prod_pumpmodel"]400[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maximumflowbrgph"]106[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_minimumflowbrgph"]55[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat1"]71[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat2"]15[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat3"] [/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat4"] [/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat5"] [/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat6"] [/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat7"] [/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat8"] [/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat9"] [/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat10"] [/TD]
[TD="class: prod_shutoffbrfeet"]2.13'[/TD]

[TD="class: prod_pumpmodel"]800[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maximumflowbrgph"]220[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_minimumflowbrgph"]140[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat1"]189[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat2"]154[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat3"]109[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat4"]36[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat5"] [/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat6"] [/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat7"] [/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat8"] [/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat9"] [/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat10"] [/TD]
[TD="class: prod_shutoffbrfeet"]4.37'[/TD]

[TD="class: prod_pumpmodel"]1200[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maximumflowbrgph"]296[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_minimumflowbrgph"]175[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat1"]270[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat2"]241[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat3"]210[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat4"]175[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat5"]125[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat6"]20[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat7"] [/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat8"] [/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat9"] [/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat10"] [/TD]
[TD="class: prod_shutoffbrfeet"]6.10'[/TD]

[TD="class: prod_pumpmodel"]2200[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maximumflowbrgph"]594[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_minimumflowbrgph"]404[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat1"]563[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat2"]528[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat3"]493[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat4"]455[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat5"]410[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat6"]361[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat7"]308[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat8"]258[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat9"]188[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat10"]96[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_shutoffbrfeet"]10.66'[/TD]

[TD="class: prod_pumpmodel"]3000[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maximumflowbrgph"]819[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_minimumflowbrgph"]423[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat1"]781[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat2"]731[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat3"]672[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat4"]611[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat5"]540[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat6"]463[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat7"]375[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat8"]291[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat9"]193[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat10"]66[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_shutoffbrfeet"]10.33'[/TD]

[TD="class: prod_pumpmodel"] 4000
[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maximumflowbrgph"] 991 [/TD]
[TD="class: prod_minimumflowbrgph"] 476 [/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat1"] 937 [/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat2"] 861 [/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat3"] 786 [/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat4"] 712 [/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat5"] 621 [/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat6"] 528 [/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat7"] 408 [/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat8"] 305 [/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat9"] 176 [/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat10"] 25 [/TD]
[TD="class: prod_shutoffbrfeet"] 10.17' [/TD]

[TD="class: prod_pumpmodel"]5000[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maximumflowbrgph"]1400[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_minimumflowbrgph"]793[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat1"]1347[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat2"]1278[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat3"]1205[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat4"]1129[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat5"]1041[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat6"]906[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat7"]801[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat8"]695[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat9"]590[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat10"]467[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_shutoffbrfeet"]11.65'
[/TD]

[TD="class: prod_pumpmodel"]6000[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maximumflowbrgph"]1664[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_minimumflowbrgph"]819[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat1"]1592[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat2"]1514[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat3"]1419[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat4"]1321[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat5"]1214[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat6"]1070[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat7"]925[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat8"]766[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat9"]587[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat10"]421[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_shutoffbrfeet"]11.65'[/TD]

[TD="class: prod_pumpmodel"]9000[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maximumflowbrgph"]2040[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_minimumflowbrgph"] [/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat1"]2000[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat2"]1920[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat3"]1837[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat4"]1749[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat5"]1656[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat6"]1579[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat7"]1500[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat8"]1423[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat9"]1341[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat10"]1237[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_shutoffbrfeet"]16.40'[/TD]

[TD="class: prod_pumpmodel"]14000[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maximumflowbrgph"]3307[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_minimumflowbrgph"] [/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat1"]3250[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat2"]3181[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat3"]3115[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat4"]3050[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat5"]3000[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat6"]2932[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat7"]2865[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat8"]2794[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat9"]2713[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat10"]2644[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_shutoffbrfeet"]25.00'[/TD]

[TD="class: prod_pumpmodel"]16000[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maximumflowbrgph"]3915[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_minimumflowbrgph"] [/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat1"]3800[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat2"]3700[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat3"]3551[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat4"]3434[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat5"]3300[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat6"]3155[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat7"]2997[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat8"]2806[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat9"]2625[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_maxflowbrat10"]2387[/TD]
[TD="class: prod_shutoffbrfeet"]14.80'


[/TD]

Flow Rate (gph) vs Pumping Height (Feet)

0`	65	80	140	200	360	480	570	640	975	1200	1500	2175
1`	40	60	120	190	270	405	480	530	780	970	1325	1910
3`		shutoff	60	150	205	335	425	460	740	880	1200	1710
5`			30	100	80	270	325	390	685	800	1100	1630
7`				shutoff	shutoff	170	205	290	610	715	1050	1345
10`						shutoff	shutoff	90	450	580	875	1100
15`									shutoff	shutoff	575	720

[TD="align: center"] Mag
Drive
Mini [/TD]
[TD="align: center"] Mag
Drive
1 [/TD]
[TD="align: center"] Mag
Drive
1.5 [/TD]
[TD="align: center"] Mag
Drive
1.9 [/TD]
[TD="align: center"] Mag
Drive
2 [/TD]
[TD="align: center"] Mag
Drive
3 [/TD]
[TD="align: center"] Mag
Drive
5 [/TD]
[TD="align: center"] Mag
Drive
7 [/TD]
[TD="align: center"] Mag
Drive
9.5 [/TD]
[TD="align: center"] Mag
Drive
12 [/TD]
[TD="align: center"] Mag
Drive
18 [/TD]
[TD="align: center"] Mag
Drive
24 [/TD]

 

[WhoKnew]

Thanks. I think I finally understand now. :wink:

 

[mfief]

Following. I just broke down a 30 long to make it the sump for my 55