ULM Reefing -- Rethinking Sumps?

[ps2cho]

After watching the new BRS ULM series, it has made me think...to go along with this new "modern" style of reefing, should we be rethinking our overly complex sumps with 10x chambers, multiple bubble traps, filter socks, pre-chambers, pre-pre socks...etc
Here's my idea:

-40b or larger (to make it most useful)
-Dual/Triple return's flowing into a generous chamber that utilizes as much space as possible.
-NO FILTER SOCKS, Detritus is allowed to settle on a moderate sand bed 2-4" max
.....Some Porous live rock (Pukani) for critters, Snails, hermits, bristleworms , Chaeto, xenia, and any beneficial fish.

Water flows from Overflows -> Refug -> Skimmer -> Bubble trap -> Return
No complexity, no additional chambers, very simple. Allow the detritus to be naturally taken out by critters and macroalgae rather than fighting filter socks, overflowing etc.
Instead of getting a MASSIVE skimmer, use the money for a good macro algae lighting option and get a moderately sized skimmer over it.

Thoughts?

 

[Justfebreezeit]

I'd think you would want the skimmer before the refugium to avoid trapping pods and stuff?

Might not matter much anyways. I like it tho.

 

[slayertx]

Take a look at my avatar thumbnail pic. That is my ball of chato / with a billion feather dusters mixed in. All I have is a large $20 rubbermaid bin from walmart and some light difusers that act as a wall. before my skimmer / return chamber. What do you really need a bubble trap for? if the drain is not close to the return pump what's the point. Physics works! Also you are more likely to get bubbles from the skimmer than the drain anyways. So save your money on the sump imo if you are a DIY'r and just get the largest bin you can fit under your tank.

 

[Justfebreezeit]

Take a look at my avatar thumbnail pic. That is my ball of chato / with a billion feather dusters mixed in. All I have is a large $20 rubbermaid bin from walmart and some light difusers that act as a wall. before my skimmer / return chamber. What do you really need a bubble trap for? if the drain is not close to the return pump what's the point. Physics works! Also you are more likely to get bubbles from the skimmer than the drain anyways. So save your money on the sump imo if you are a DIY'r and just get the largest bin you can fit under your tank.

Definitely to keep the water level in the skimmer chamber consistent as well as eliminate micro bubbles from said skimmer.

But i like what your saying, when i upgrade im going to do one similar to yours.

 

[Hampton]

I definitely agree with the volume. I just set up a 90 gallon refugium and 30 gallon sump to support my 30 gallon round display.

Skimmer, Chaeto, and simple filter media in an olive garden bowl to catch the big stuff and decrease bubbles.

I'm going to limit the live stuff in the fuge to Chaeto. I'm trying to mimick the volume of the ocean for stability and the limited size of the Reef.

 

[HB AL]

Sock, skimmer, rock, return pump, seems to work fine for me

 

[slayertx]

Definitely to keep the water level in the skimmer chamber consistent as well as eliminate micro bubbles from said skimmer.

But i like what your saying, when i upgrade im going to do one similar to yours.

I have a ATO on and my water level never drops or rises unless im cleaning or something. with a simple ato / float valve it's way more stable than you would think.

 

[sneub]

I like it, this is something that I am considering for my next build.

 

[ps2cho]

I have a ATO on and my water level never drops or rises unless im cleaning or something. with a simple ato / float valve it's way more stable than you would think.

Not a fan of a DIY Rubbermaid sump. Those things flex and it’s a disaster waiting to happen. Only the agricultural troughs are acceptable IMO