Sump Questions

[member 99594]

Hey all,

I just picked up a good acrylic sump today and currently it has only two compartments with two filter sock brackets on the in section.

Now, I would like to add a third compartment and I am torn to how I should go about this.

In one design I am running the drain into the skimmer section and the other into the fuge section.

Questions:

If I have the skimmer in the middle compartment will there be too many micro bubbles back into the return?

If I have the fuge in the middle, what is the best way to contain the growth to the middle compartment?

I was thinking egg-crate under the baffle from skimmer to fuge, or suggestions on better products?

Also, I would like the option for carbon and GFO at some point.

Cheers!!

 

[Bayareareefer18]

You don't need two bubble traps. You only really need to add one new baffle for another chamber.

 

[Forsaken77]

You could just grab one of those large foam blocks off eBay and it'll keep all the bubbles (and detritus) away from the pump, then throw whatever media above or below the foam. It'll also keep any algae out if you're doing a fuge.

You can run any reactors without another chamber. I actually wish my Trigger sump was designed like yours with that huge area. I'd be able to fit a skimmer with and external pump (outside the body) and just toss my other stuff behind the skimmer.

But technically the skimmer comes first for non-Triton setups. Keeps more detritus off the algae or media.

 

[Mark Gray]

I have both my sumps set uo with no socks , fuge, then the skimmer. put a bubble trap at or right before your return pump

 

[member 99594]

I have both my sumps set uo with no socks , fuge, then the skimmer. put a bubble trap at or right before your return pump

I don’t have to worry about the water draining right into the fuge?

And do you think the bubble trap I have on the right will catch the majority of the bubbles if the skimmer is in the middle compartment?

 

[Mark Gray]

I don’t have to worry about the water draining right into the fuge?

And do you think the bubble trap I have on the right will catch the majority of the bubbles if the skimmer is in the middle compartment?

I really would not worry about draining right into your fuge both mine sort of do that, one is a trigger 39 with no socks it has a baffle but it's right there at the fuge, the other is a trigger 44 triton no socks it also has a baffle I think mostly so it doesn't splash and for noise. I think your bubble trap will work but only one way to find out for sure.

 

[member 99594]

I really would not worry about draining right into your fuge both mine sort of do that, one is a trigger 39 with no socks it has a baffle but it's right there at the fuge, the other is a trigger 44 triton no socks it also has a baffle I think mostly so it doesn't splash and for noise. I think your bubble trap will work but only one way to find out for sure.

I just don’t want to put the baffle in then have it not work. Lol. I may have to do a fill with freshwater first then test.

 

[WWIII]

There's lot's of sumps designed with skimmer, then baffles, then return pump that close together. I don't think there will be a bubble issue if the skimmer is working correctly.

If it were me I would do sump 1, but I may design it with a single sheet of acrylic with slots cut into it at whatever height I wanted the water to be. That way my macro algae in the refugium wouldn't get into the skimmer area as much.

 

[member 99594]

There's lot's of sumps designed with skimmer, then baffles, then return pump that close together. I don't think there will be a bubble issue if the skimmer is working correctly.

If it were me I would do sump 1, but I may design it with a single sheet of acrylic with slots cut into it at whatever height I wanted the water to be. That way my macro algae in the refugium wouldn't get into the skimmer area as much.

I think this is the best way too. There is a filter sock rack on the far right too that won’t be in the way of the skimmer and I could slip a GFO reactor beside the skimmer in the middle compartment.