Where does the return pump go?

Kessel12 · Sep 27, 2020

I have a DYI 20 gallon long sump. Where should I put the skimmer and pump?

KStatefan · Sep 27, 2020

nano_ryan · Sep 27, 2020

Is this a trick question? lol skimmer 2, return 3

PatW · Sep 27, 2020

I would say 3 for the return pump. The water level in the return section should be the lowest level because water flows down hill. The skimmer would be 2. Section 1 would be where the water from the tank comes in. You could set up a filter sock here.

Kessel12 · Sep 27, 2020

PatW said:
I would say 3 for the return pump. The water level in the return section should be the lowest level because water flows down hill. The skimmer would be 2. Section 1 would be where the water from the tank comes in. You could set up a filter sock here.

Thanks. That’s what I thought. I see how the water would flow “downhill” to chamber 3. I just noticed on most dumps the bubble trap is last before the return pump.

mfinn · Sep 28, 2020

Not sure if I see this correctly, but here are my thoughts.
Normally I would have the in coming water and skimmer would go in #3, with a refugium in #2 and return pump #1.
But I think I see a issue. Are the 1st and 3rd baffles on the left side siliconed to the bottom of the sump?
If they were, the water level of the sump to the right would be fixed at that level.
IMO they should be a little lower than the baffle on the far right that creates a fixed level for the skimmer to operate correctly.

If I'm seeing it wrong, ignore what I said except skimmer far right and return pump far left.

Rjukan · Sep 28, 2020

I would want the air bubble baffles between the skimmer and return pump. Otherwise you run the risk of a lot of micro bubbles in the display..

Nice skimmer btw, i have the same one.