Sump design review

[pepper89]

I would say, you would want as close to 100% of your total water going through your refugium/macroalgae area as possible. Since it is technically a filter, you want it to filter as much water as it can, and you don't need that perse in your frag tank; though it would need at least a decent flow to circulate.

Personally, I would just move that one chamber to after the skimmer (and bubble trap), but before the return pump (on the right side). This way it will touch all the water going through your skimmer before it is returned to the display.

You can probably keep the frags as they are (though this way would make them the furthest left), just would want to either put a power head or some type of smaller return pump that feeds water in to get a decent amount of water circulation.

| frag | return | refugium | bubble | Skimmer |

 

[BeanAnimal]

Narrow baffles (depending on flow) are somewhat useless - the air stays entrained.

Secondly - if the last baffle is "over" and an ATO is not used to keep there from being a waterfall - you are just going to create more bubbles as the waterfall height increases with evaporation.

Even with a final baffle as "under" the last "over" baffle will have a waterfall as the return section water level drops - just something to keep in mind.

I prefer "Under - Over - Under" where the majority of bubbles rise to the surface of the intake compartment and the mostly bubble free water flows under. With an OVER baffle first bubble rise to the surface of the intake compartment and flow right over the baffle, being sucked down in the narrow baffle slot... Again, all depends on flow too. Both ways will work, but you have to plan.

 

[pepper89]

I would say, otherwise, you will want frag/refugium switched, as that one is closer to the return pump and will get the most water exchange with the rest of the sump. Because the way you have it, the frags would be more your filter, than your refugium, as they would get access to the nutrients first.

 

[BeanAnimal]

I will also add this - since nobody else has mentioned it.
Anyplace in the sump that does not have (extremely) high water flow will become a detritus settling area. You want to make sure you have an easy way to keep it clean. The more complex the sump becomes, the more it becomes a hard to (meaning never) clean mess. In your case, the frag and refuge area. You may need to add powerheads in the frag area to keep water moving and the frags happy and detritus fee.

 

[Tnops]

Okay so from what I've been hearing is to have a more traditional layout like this with the return at the end like this

I'll probably keep it simple like this then, are there any issues with this one? Should I switch the fuge and frag section? I am going to have a small powerhead in both frag and fuge section

The reason I wanted the return in the middle was because the tube length was a bit sort so wanted to even it out haha

 

[pepper89]

Okay so from what I've been hearing is to have a more traditional layout like this with the return at the end like this

I'll probably keep it simple like this then, are there any issues with this one? Should I switch the fuge and frag section? I am going to have a small powerhead in both frag and fuge section

The reason I wanted the return in the middle was because the tube length was a bit sort so wanted to even it out haha

Yeah, I think this would work fine, and it wouldn't really matter which is first, but you would be able to keep the frags cleaner if the refugium is first. Lots of the gross stuff would get caught in your refugium macro.

Though, tbh I really liked your first design, with the return pump in the middle. I was just mentioning that the algae work sort of like a mechanical filter in a way, getting a lot of the detritus caught in it, plus as nutrient control, but you would want it to have all your water flow through it for the best benefits. Plus it would keep more gunk from building up in the rest of the sump. Hell, you could even put it before the skimmer, just to keep your simmer from getting as gunked up as fast, but that would mean more stuff is breaking down before the skimmer gets it, I think meaning more bubbles (I don't know much about skimmers).

Basically, anything works that you can dream up, just keep in mind what the function of each part is for, so you can optimize its use.

Refugium and skimmers are your filters + nutrient control. So you want all the water to go through those really well, so they can scrub clean your water before it's returned. They just work in slightly different ways. I wouldn't say they are redundant though, just similar.

The bubble trap is there to protect your return pump from your skimmer, so as long as you have that anywhere between your skimmer and your return pump, you will be good. IDK much about bubble trap designs, so I would go with someone else on.

Then your frag tank is just another type of refugium. It will also export nutrients, and basically work similarly to your refugium, though you probably don't want it to be a detritus trap, which is where I would put it anywhere after the refugium to help keep it cleaner.

 

[Saltyreef]

Yeah, I think this would work fine, and it wouldn't really matter which is first, but you would be able to keep the frags cleaner if the refugium is first. Lots of the gross stuff would get caught in your refugium macro.

Though, tbh I really liked your first design, with the return pump in the middle. I was just mentioning that the algae work sort of like a mechanical filter in a way, getting a lot of the detritus caught in it, plus as nutrient control, but you would want it to have all your water flow through it for the best benefits. Plus it would keep more gunk from building up in the rest of the sump. Hell, you could even put it before the skimmer, just to keep your simmer from getting as gunked up as fast, but that would mean more stuff is breaking down before the skimmer gets it, I think meaning more bubbles (I don't know much about skimmers).

Basically, anything works that you can dream up, just keep in mind what the function of each part is for, so you can optimize its use.

Refugium and skimmers are your filters + nutrient control. So you want all the water to go through those really well, so they can scrub clean your water before it's returned. They just work in slightly different ways. I wouldn't say they are redundant though, just similar.

The bubble trap is there to protect your return pump from your skimmer, so as long as you have that anywhere between your skimmer and your return pump, you will be good. IDK much about bubble trap designs, so I would go with someone else on.

Then your frag tank is just another type of refugium. It will also export nutrients, and basically work similarly to your refugium, though you probably don't want it to be a detritus trap, which is where I would put it anywhere after the refugium to help keep it cleaner.

I like that idea too.
I used to have chaeto as the sole filter for a 14g biocube and i loved pruning and rinsing the deteitus from it!

 

[Tnops]

Yeah, I think this would work fine, and it wouldn't really matter which is first, but you would be able to keep the frags cleaner if the refugium is first. Lots of the gross stuff would get caught in your refugium macro.

Though, tbh I really liked your first design, with the return pump in the middle. I was just mentioning that the algae work sort of like a mechanical filter in a way, getting a lot of the detritus caught in it, plus as nutrient control, but you would want it to have all your water flow through it for the best benefits. Plus it would keep more gunk from building up in the rest of the sump. Hell, you could even put it before the skimmer, just to keep your simmer from getting as gunked up as fast, but that would mean more stuff is breaking down before the skimmer gets it, I think meaning more bubbles (I don't know much about skimmers).

Basically, anything works that you can dream up, just keep in mind what the function of each part is for, so you can optimize its use.

Refugium and skimmers are your filters + nutrient control. So you want all the water to go through those really well, so they can scrub clean your water before it's returned. They just work in slightly different ways. I wouldn't say they are redundant though, just similar.

The bubble trap is there to protect your return pump from your skimmer, so as long as you have that anywhere between your skimmer and your return pump, you will be good. IDK much about bubble trap designs, so I would go with someone else on.

Then your frag tank is just another type of refugium. It will also export nutrients, and basically work similarly to your refugium, though you probably don't want it to be a detritus trap, which is where I would put it anywhere after the refugium to help keep it cleaner.

Ohh so this is what you meant in the beginning. Lots of back and forth I know

 

[Troylee]

Ohh so this is what you meant in the beginning. Lots of back and forth I know

You’re making it more complicated than it’s worth.. you’ll be pulling that frag rack weekly with a drain dumping waste into that compartment lol.. switch the return pump and frag rack.. move the bubble trap to the left, right before the return and run the water under, over, under. Drains into skimmer bay only. You’ll see best results with that setup.. I’ve made hundreds of these lol..

 

[pepper89]

Ohh so this is what you meant in the beginning. Lots of back and forth I know

It's ok! LOL, I know when I was setting mine up, I had like 101 different questions, and was exactly the same.

As for the diagram, kind of, but I wouldn't add the drain 2. This would lead to parts of your water not going through the skimmer/refugium filters, and being returned only kind of filtered (not fully), with just your frags covered in detritus.

I would personally do this layout, just remove drain 2, lower the divider between the frag and return to 8 inches. Then flip your power heads to the opposite walls (so they are pushing water back into their areas away from the return).

 

[pepper89]

You’re making it more complicated than it’s worth.. you’ll be pulling that frag rack weekly with a drain dumping waste into that compartment lol.. switch the return pump and frag rack.. move the bubble trap to the left, right before the return and run the water under, over, under. Drains into skimmer bay only. You’ll see best results with that setup.. I’ve made hundreds of these lol..

Or listen to him lol. TBH this is probably what I would do.

 

[Tnops]

You’re making it more complicated than it’s worth.. you’ll be pulling that frag rack weekly with a drain dumping waste into that compartment lol.. switch the return pump and frag rack.. move the bubble trap to the left, right before the return and run the water under, over, under. Drains into skimmer bay only. You’ll see best results with that setup.. I’ve made hundreds of these lol..

Okay I will just do this then, thanks everyone for all your help! (will add skimmer stand)

 

[Troylee]

Okay I will just do this then, thanks everyone for all your help! (will add skimmer stand)

That’s perfect and less Maintence for ya..

 

[thedon986]

I use the Fiji Cube baffle kits for rimmed standard tanks. They could probably send you an extra insert for the frag section. Comes out looking pretty professional if you take your time.

 

[Tnops]

Okay after hours of blood, sweat, and cuts, it has finally been done. And yes due to my laziness in not putting tape I will now have to scrape off the excess silicone. Thank you all for all your contribution

 

[Cichlid Dad]

Okay after hours of blood, sweat, and cuts, it has finally been done. And yes due to my laziness in not putting tape I will now have to scrape off the excess silicone. Thank you all for all your contribution

Looks like you have a sump! Congratulations

 

[Cichlid Dad]

This was my first diy sump cheap Amazon 10 gallon kit for a 55. Had to scrape silicone myself also

 

[Troylee]

Okay after hours of blood, sweat, and cuts, it has finally been done. And yes due to my laziness in not putting tape I will now have to scrape off the excess silicone. Thank you all for all your contribution

Pro tip! Use acrylic next time…

 

[Cichlid Dad]

Pro tip! Use acrylic next time…

Where's the fun in that? Ma gets to practice her first aid! And you get kisses!

 

[pepper89]

Okay after hours of blood, sweat, and cuts, it has finally been done. And yes due to my laziness in not putting tape I will now have to scrape off the excess silicone. Thank you all for all your contribution

YAY! And tbh it looks a lot better than my DIY sump before I cleaned it up Just a tip from someone who spent a lot of time cleaning up silicon caulk as well, use a razor blade once it cures. It will make cleaning up a ton easier. I also used a (brand new/clean) scoring pad (those green ones for dishes) to scrub off the little bits.

Where's the fun in that? Ma gets to practice her first aid! And you get kisses!

True, but also, I personally can find a way to cut my hands with acrylic. So who knows, maybe that would have been the outcome anyways. Just with less glass to clean. Though, maybe THAT is the fun part.