Over-sIzEd Sump--Sanity Check...

[jphilip813]

Question, I have an over-sized sump, Fiji 36 rated for 225-300 gal. I have the Neptune CIR 20 on a 120gal (48x24x24); recently upgraded from a 2016 Eshopps ADV 200...Do I have to add more water in the sump to compensate for the larger foot print the sump is designed to be rated for? I finally set-up my new sump last night, but I noticed it was LOUD (COR at 10%) trying to get water up to the display tank, creating tons of micro-bubbles.

 

[spfahnestock]

I am not an expert in this but i would say yes. Remember hardware like skimmers also have a minimum and maximum water height to be effective. I would ensure you meet that height and see what happens from there.

 

[jphilip813]

I am not an expert in this but i would say yes. Remember hardware like skimmers also have a minimum and maximum water height to be effective. I would ensure you meet that height and see what happens from there.

Yeah I was thinking the same thing too...Aquamaxx Skimmer DCQ2...minimum of 7" and Max of 8"...so maybe I would have to get a skimmer stand to compensate for the additional water I am adding.

 

[ca1ore]

Every sump is designed to operate at a particular water level. Size of the tank it feeds doesn’t really change that operating level, though it will impact drain down volume if the pump is off. Just set the return pump to your desired flow level and add SW to the system until the return chamber is at the correct level. Pretty simple actually.

 

[bevo5]

Yup. And you’ll be glad you did. More water volume is typically a good thing! Just remember to keep the total volume in mind when measuring out anything for the tank.

 

[jphilip813]

Every sump is designed to operate at a particular water level. Size of the tank it feeds doesn’t really change that operating level, though it will impact drain down volume if the pump is off. Just set the return pump to your desired flow level and add SW to the system until the return chamber is at the correct level. Pretty simple actually.

Funny you typed that, I was in the process of contacting BRS/Fiji for the operating water level for the sump...It is nowhere written in their one page instructions...thanks for the tip

 

[ca1ore]

Went and looked. Nice sump. Appears there are adjustable baffles so that you can set different section depths. Pick depths that work for you then add water so that the final chamber is high enough so the pump doesn’t suck air. Are you using an ATO? If so then raise that to trigger at the return chamber depth you have chosen.

 

[jphilip813]

Went and looked. Nice sump. Appears there are adjustable baffles so that you can set different section depths. Pick depths that work for you then add water so that the final chamber is high enough so the pump doesn’t suck air. Are you using an ATO? If so then raise that to trigger at the return chamber depth you have chosen.

Yeah, I did that..the only thing is the skimmer (AquaMaxx ConeS DCQ-2) has to sit in no more than 8" of water...the lowest level of the return chamber for this size tank is 6"...and it is sucking air (COR 20 running at 10%, I never ran my pump that low b4)....I think I must have to add more water to compensate for the side of tank...

 

[reefwiser]

Yes add the extra water. It’s always good to have a larger body of water added to a reef system. It makes it more stable. Just like the ocean. Where only a small percentage of the ocean is reef. It gives the aquarium a more stability.

 

[ca1ore]

Yeah, I did that..the only thing is the skimmer (AquaMaxx ConeS DCQ-2) has to sit in no more than 8" of water...the lowest level of the return chamber for this size tank is 6"...and it is sucking air (COR 20 running at 10%, I never ran my pump that low b4)....I think I must have to add more water to compensate for the side of tank...

you can always make a riser for the skimmer out of a few bits of eggcrate zip tied together. Or stick an oversized elbow on the suction of the COR to prevent air vortex.