Sump Configuration and Return Line

Raphael Dalmeida · Nov 9, 2021

Hi guys,

Just got myself a fully equipped used saltwater tank and although I plumbed all of it I'm not yet sure how this style of sump is supposed to work.

It has a few chambers, though there's a back chamber which I'm not sure whats for.

Plus I'd liked to know how could I improve the placement of my return line. It's coming through the overflow box though the overflow box is not drilled on the top to allow the outlet in the tank so i have to pass the outlet through the top.

Should I open a little hole within the weir top to place the outlet of the return?

See photos attached.

Thanks

Weasel1960 · Nov 9, 2021

Not an expert but almost looks like a custom DIY sump. Rear chamber might be refugium or top off although difficult to service from the front. Can you ask the previous owner what each chamber was for?

I would cut rid if the metal hose clamps,mthey will likely corrode and leach metals into your system. Bulk Reef Supply (and others) sell ratchet clamps for soft tubing connections.

Hard to tell from picture about your return piping.

TexanCanuck · Nov 9, 2021

Congrats on your new purchase and welcome to the hobby!

It's a little difficult to see from the photos, but it looks like a standard "Berlin" sump with an integral auto top-off (ATO) reservoir. If I'm right, that compartment in the back-right corner is simply a reservoir for fresh RODI to make up for evaporation, and you'll need an "ATO kit" to use it.

It looks like the two smaller drain lines (the ones with the ball valves) are plumbed in a "Bean Animal" style overflow with the larger drain line (the one going into the third compartment of your sump) acting as an emergency drain... do a google search for that and you should find a simple diagram showing how that works.

Within your sump, the water should simply move from the compartment where it enters from the drain lines (the ends of those pipes should be kept submerged to reduce noise and splashing), where it overflows into the second compartment where filter socks are inserted into those two large holes. They look like standard 4" socks you should be able to find anywhere.

From there, the water should flow out of the BOTTOM of the compartment with the filter socks into the third (and largest compartment). This is the "working" space of the sump where you put all of your equipment (protein skimmer, heaters, biological material, media reactors, whatever you want).

From there, the water should flow over the TOP of the glass wall separating the third and fourth compartment ... this will help reduce the amount of fine bubble created by your protein skimmer that get returned to your tank. The return pump goes in that fourth, smaller compartment. If you end up doing any dosing (Kalk, etc.), your additives should always be introduced into this last compartment with the return pump.

Your photos seem to show some kind of improvised return manifold at the discharge of the return pump ... but its hard to see exactly what this is ... can you please try and provide a better photo of that jumble?

Also, can you please provide a photo taken from the top looking down into the overflow box in the aquarium so we can look at what you've got there?

Raphael Dalmeida · Nov 10, 2021

TexanCanuck said:
Congrats on your new purchase and welcome to the hobby!

It's a little difficult to see from the photos, but it looks like a standard "Berlin" sump with an integral auto top-off (ATO) reservoir. If I'm right, that compartment in the back-right corner is simply a reservoir for fresh RODI to make up for evaporation, and you'll need an "ATO kit" to use it.

It looks like the two smaller drain lines (the ones with the ball valves) are plumbed in a "Bean Animal" style overflow with the larger drain line (the one going into the third compartment of your sump) acting as an emergency drain... do a google search for that and you should find a simple diagram showing how that works.

Within your sump, the water should simply move from the compartment where it enters from the drain lines (the ends of those pipes should be kept submerged to reduce noise and splashing), where it overflows into the second compartment where filter socks are inserted into those two large holes. They look like standard 4" socks you should be able to find anywhere.

From there, the water should flow out of the BOTTOM of the compartment with the filter socks into the third (and largest compartment). This is the "working" space of the sump where you put all of your equipment (protein skimmer, heaters, biological material, media reactors, whatever you want).

From there, the water should flow over the TOP of the glass wall separating the third and fourth compartment ... this will help reduce the amount of fine bubble created by your protein skimmer that get returned to your tank. The return pump goes in that fourth, smaller compartment. If you end up doing any dosing (Kalk, etc.), your additives should always be introduced into this last compartment with the return pump.

Your photos seem to show some kind of improvised return manifold at the discharge of the return pump ... but its hard to see exactly what this is ... can you please try and provide a better photo of that jumble?

Also, can you please provide a photo taken from the top looking down into the overflow box in the aquarium so we can look at what you've got there?

Thanks for the help guys, i will research this Berlin German you mentioned.

I ended up filling the tank with saltwater from the sea (we have a saltwater delivery here) ends up cheaper than making my own.

Had a friend help me setup the skimmer etc.

Still need to figure out the return as it's not aesthetically pleasing and not the most efficient for flow in the whole tank.

I did setup the tank as I had saved the live rock from the guy who I bought it off so i wanted to save as much of his cycle. It was a bargain and it came with everything.

See new photos attached including one from the top around overflow area, as you see the improvised return goes over the weir of the overflow.

Really excited finally getting into saltwater.

Raphael Dalmeida · Nov 10, 2021

Weasel1960 said:
Not an expert but almost looks like a custom DIY sump. Rear chamber might be refugium or top off although difficult to service from the front. Can you ask the previous owner what each chamber was for?

I would cut rid if the metal hose clamps,mthey will likely corrode and leach metals into your system. Bulk Reef Supply (and others) sell ratchet clamps for soft tubing connections.

Hard to tell from picture about your return piping.

Thanks for the tip regarding the clamps i will try to find some that. Are non metal. I'm in Australia so i don't think they have bulk reef supply here, but will look for an alternative.

Weasel1960 · Nov 10, 2021

This one by Two Little Fishes on Amazon

BRS also does mail order, don’t know if they ship out of country but at least you can see what you are looking for.

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