Return pump question

[DipSpit]

This may be a dumb question but I do need a filter of some sort on the drain correct? Do I need a compartment for that or should I just run the drain into a sock filter and call it a day?

You do not NEED a filter sock - I have seen great systems that do not use them. If maintained, however, they are a great means of mechanical filtration. I personally use the mesh ones and love them.

And I have also head that I don't need to use acrylic baffles with a glass tank. Any truth to that and just out of curiosity do you know why? I just want to make sure I have everything right prior to starting my assembly of this sump. LoL

You don't need to use acrylic baffles? Or you don't need to use baffles period? Both of these are correct, though baffles allow you to control water height and allow for a planned water path.

 

[Reef_Tank_Fan_SC]

If I go with mesh filters then I need a way to hold them though don't I? They probably don't need to be in the same compartment at the skimmer do they

 

[Smo]

I agree with DipSpit. Filter socks, if cleaned every couple 2-3 days are good for nutrient export. I use the felt type as they are better filters.
Acrylic does not adhere well to glass using silicone cement. Better to have a glass shop cut and polish some panels for you. Speaking of silicone cement--be sure to use aquarium safe silicone--not the kind for bathrooms which has bactericides added.

 

[DipSpit]

If I go with mesh filters then I need a way to hold them though don't I? They probably don't need to be in the same compartment at the skimmer do they

Oh, yes, you will need a holder. You can DIY these if you are handy, but prefabricated ones are definitely affordable and readily available on most reefing equipment sites. These are utilized directly with the drains - catching larger particulate matter before they enter the rest of the sump.

 

[Reef_Tank_Fan_SC]

Oh, yes, you will need a holder. You can DIY these if you are handy, but prefabricated ones are definitely affordable and readily available on most reefing equipment sites. These are utilized directly with the drains - catching larger particulate matter before they enter the rest of the sump.

And all it consists of is a little box to hold the filter with some holes in the bottom to allow the water to pass through into the sump tank right. If so then I'm pretty sure I can make that

 

[DipSpit]

And all it consists of is a little box to hold the filter with some holes in the bottom to allow the water to pass through into the sump tank right. If so then I'm pretty sure I can make that

In basic terms, yes.

 

[Reef_Tank_Fan_SC]

In basic terms, yes.

Outstanding, thanks for all the tips and advice. Out of common courtesy I will kind of keep you posted on how it progresses. Hopefully it will be a sucess.

 

[Reef_Tank_Fan_SC]

I agree with DipSpit. Filter socks, if cleaned every couple 2-3 days are good for nutrient export. I use the felt type as they are better filters.
Acrylic does not adhere well to glass using silicone cement. Better to have a glass shop cut and polish some panels for you. Speaking of silicone cement--be sure to use aquarium safe silicone--not the kind for bathrooms which has bactericides added.

Thanks for that tip. I will dbl check to make sure whatever silicone I get is aquarium safe. Do you think I can get it at a regular store or will I have to get it from a pet store?

I agree with DipSpit. Filter socks, if cleaned every couple 2-3 days are good for nutrient export. I use the felt type as they are better filters.
Acrylic does not adhere well to glass using silicone cement. Better to have a glass shop cut and polish some panels for you. Speaking of silicone cement--be sure to use aquarium safe silicone--not the kind for bathrooms which has bactericides added.

 

[DipSpit]

Thanks for that tip. I will dbl check to make sure whatever silicone I get is aquarium safe. Do you think I can get it at a regular store or will I have to get it from a pet store?

GE Silicone I from a home improvement store - the kind that doesn't contain bacterial inhibitors or anti-mold chemicals. They mark up the "aquarium" silicone for people who don't know better.

 

[Reef_Tank_Fan_SC]

GE Silicone I from a home improvement store - the kind that doesn't contain bacterial inhibitors or anti-mold chemicals. They mark up the "aquarium" silicone for people who don't know better.

Roger that.. thanks

 

[Smo]

Experimentation is part of the fun setting up a new tank. Suggest skimming thru the DIY threads for other helpful hints.

 

[Reef_Tank_Fan_SC]

So one thing I learned today it the the Reef Octo has a pretty good size footprint (11"× 8") rounded up. So doing the math and a rudimentary plot on an empty tank with some electrical tape this is what I am looking at right now. 1st compartment is 10"x 9" inches and that is housing the skimmer. Also in that compartment is a box I will make to hold a media bag to run the drain through. 1st baffle height is set @ 8" high. Second compartment with be the fuge. It is 10"× 5" and will also hold my heater (possible 2) then the bubble trap will start. I got 3 7" baffles to place 1" apart with the middle riding 1" off the floor. And that final tank will simply house the return pump. Compartment size 4"×10". So that completely fills up a 20×10×12 10 gallon aquarium. This may not be a final product as I am open to all input and suggestions to adjust the dementions. Or at least try to and see how it lays out. If you have any input or ideas then please fill free to share. I am a novice reefer and thus is my first sump/fuge build so if it won't work it's better to know know. LoL, I will post a picture of the tank I'm using for the sump with my tape markings as a visual aid. Hopefully it's not to confusing

The first one is a top view looking down into the tank. Skimmer being on the left and water flow going left to right. The second picture is also left to right flow but it is from a side view with the proposed height of the baffles (and no the bubble trap baffles are not to scale). Hahaha

 

[Smo]

Will your skimmer fit in its allotted space? I make cardboard Templets for my equipment to look at fitment. You can get by with only two baffles in your bubble trap section.

 

[Reef_Tank_Fan_SC]

Will your skimmer fit in its allotted space? I make cardboard Templets for my equipment to look at fitment. You can get by with only two baffles in your bubble trap section.

Yes sir, I 99.9% sure it will. It has a 5"×8" space to slide down into and the body of the skimmer is only 4". HOWEVER, that is why I just did this temp looking thing if you will until I have everything here and I am 100% sure. I ordered it already and it should be here by weeks end. Then I can really start to move forward with it. My biggest concern would be is that spot in the middle really big enough for a fuge? I mainly want the fuge for its extra filtration properties and nothing else. I don't plan on putting anything live in there at anytime. Other than the rock and chaeto of course, lol

 

[DipSpit]

Yes sir, I 99.9% sure it will. It has a 5"×8" space to slide down into and the body of the skimmer is only 4". HOWEVER, that is why I just did this temp looking thing if you will until I have everything here and I am 100% sure. I ordered it already and it should be here by weeks end. Then I can really start to move forward with it. My biggest concern would be is that spot in the middle really big enough for a fuge? I mainly want the fuge for its extra filtration properties and nothing else. I don't plan on putting anything live in there at anytime. Other than the rock and chaeto of course, lol

Just curious, is there a reason you are limited to a 20 gallon sump?

 

[Reef_Tank_Fan_SC]

Just curious, is there a reason you are limited to a 20 gallon sump?

It's actually only a 10 gallon and the reason I have to go with it is space really. I have a corner tank and stand and that is the biggest thing I can fit under my stand. Plus I don't have a basement to put it in so I am kinda just having to play the hand that I was dealt if you will. Do you think that 10 gallon is to small for my tank?

 

[Reef_Tank_Fan_SC]

Worst case scenario then I will pull the fuge concept out and just go with an old school sump..

 

[Zack K]

Hope this helps. I have the bubble magus Nac3.5 and it works like a charm. But this worked the best for me[emoji1360] also I second the GE silicone

 

[DipSpit]

It's actually only a 10 gallon and the reason I have to go with it is space really. I have a corner tank and stand and that is the biggest thing I can fit under my stand. Plus I don't have a basement to put it in so I am kinda just having to play the hand that I was dealt if you will. Do you think that 10 gallon is to small for my tank?

If you're limited to a 10 gallon sump - it is what it is. You can most assuredly have an effective sump with this footprint.

My first two tanks had 10g sumps configured similar to how you have it now. In the first chamber, however, I nixed the filter socks in exchange for a lot of rubble to add some extra bio filtration. If you can do both - all the better. In the second chamber I had my skimmer and the last chamber housed my return pump.

This does eliminate refugium, however but I had great success with this method. Either way will yield good results.

 

[Reef_Tank_Fan_SC]

Hope this helps. I have the bubble magus Nac3.5 and it works like a charm. But this worked the best for me[emoji1360] also I second the GE silicone

This is close to the same setup that I have laid out, lol. Except mine had bubble trap after fuge instead of beside skimmer. What kind of filtration are you using in your sump my man? I was going to build a box to put in my first compartment to hold a media bag to run my drain back through otw into the skimmer. It is about 3"×3"×5", I'm hoping that is big enough to hold a media bag, lol. If not I will need to adjust