Sump sanity check

PNWReefer17 · Nov 28, 2017

Pretty sure I know the answer and that it will work, but I'm always down for a 2nd opinion before I do something I have never attempted. So here's my question. I want to install another baffle into my sump to create a separate skimmer chamber and refugium chamber. The baffle location will make my skimmer chamber 9 X 13.5 inches and the refugium 14 X 13.5 inches. The baffle to the left of the skimmer is 13 inches high and the baffle for the bubble trap is 8 inches high. Should I make the baffle to divide the skimmer from the fuge 13 inches or 8 inches? I'm leaning towards 13 inches so that I have the room to play with to maintain an appropriate depth for the skimmer. Does that sound right or should I just scrap the idea all together? Thoughts??

txreefer · Nov 28, 2017

If you put a 13 inch baffle in the area where the skimmer is sitting will have a 13” water level and the are to the right will have a 8” water level. So it will work but skimmer will have to go after fuge.

realest20 · Nov 28, 2017

Go 13". If you have to build a shelf for skimmer to get proper water height then do it. You'll gain more water volumn.

PNWReefer17 · Nov 28, 2017

txreefer said:
If you put a 13 inch baffle in the area where the skimmer is sitting will have a 13” water level and the are to the right will have a 8” water level. So it will work but skimmer will have to go after fuge.

So basically inlet to fuge to skimmer to return.

I was thinking to have the deeper chamber as the skimmer chamber in case I needed to adjust my skimmer height since the recommended height for the Curve 5 is 8-9". I could always raise the baffle that enter the bubble trap also. Choices, choices...

PNWReefer17 · Nov 28, 2017

realest20 said:
Go 13". If you have to build a shelf for skimmer to get proper water height then do it. You'll gain more water volumn.

8"fuge should be deep enough to hold chaeto or some rock. I could always make that baffle a little higher if I need to.

Flippers4pups · Nov 28, 2017

PNWReefer17 said:
So basically inlet to fuge to skimmer to return.

I was thinking to have the deeper chamber as the skimmer chamber in case I needed to adjust my skimmer height since the recommended height for the Curve 5 is 8-9". I could always raise the baffle that enter the bubble trap also. Choices, choices...

Skimmer in first chamber like you have in your picture. 13" is fine. As stated, you will need to make a skimmer platform. Having the skimmer in the first section and having it in the deepest and the other sections lower will help in when the power goes out and the sump fills. Water level, when this happens, in the other sections should be lower than that when the back syphon stops. It keeps the water level consistent and will help stop the skimmer from overflowing when the power comes back on.

Rufus’ goofs · Nov 28, 2017

I’d go 13” and build a platform. This will also let your fuge filter the water before the skimmer which is typically preferable when designing filtration order.

Best of luck!

PaulPerger · Nov 28, 2017

Whatever you do, insure you don't create so much water volume in your sump that you overflow it in the case of a power outage or emergency...

PNWReefer17 · Jan 13, 2018

Ok....question time.

Leak check and flow check done. Sump is louder than hell and my water levels are off for sure. Inlet, skimmer and refugium chambers sit at about 11 inches. Pump chamber sits at about 10 inches when running. Tank isn't completely filled (maybe 1/2-3/4 of an inch off the top. My pump chamber is waaaaay told high. Im thinking should only be about 5-6 inches of water. Does that sound about right? Right now my pump is dialed out to 100% and isn't keeping up.

Pretty sure my loud sump has to do with my secondary drain. The primary is dialed down quite a bit. Thinking about installing a valve on it to regulate flow

Any other tips would be greatly appreciated.

realest20 · Jan 28, 2018

Do you have a gate valve on your primary drain?

PNWReefer17 · Jan 29, 2018

Yes, I have a gate on my primary and a ball on my secondary.

realest20 · Jan 30, 2018

And you've tried closing the primary gate valve a little at a time until the level rises in the over flow box to just below the secondary/emergency drain?

PNWReefer17 · Feb 1, 2018

realest20 said:
And you've tried closing the primary gate valve a little at a time until the level rises in the over flow box to just below the secondary/emergency drain?

Yep. Both my valves are gated and it took a little to dial it in, but I'm good to go now!