Sump Questions, Help

[jaylam]

I am starting to get the bits and pieces I need to install a sump to my setup but have a few questions.

Here is what I want to do:

Now my questions are:

1. What overflow box do I need, been looking on eBay and there are lots of different ones which do different LPH.

2. In the picture above I plan on having nothing in section 1 just the water coming in from the overflow, the heater in section 2 with some live rock rubble and in section 3 the skimmer and return pump. Will this work and is there anything else I should have in the sections i.e. sand etc, I do plan on putting some cheato in section 2 as well.

3. The baffels in at the left most side of the sump I plan on making the same size as the ones on the right, is that ok?

4. What sort of return pump will I need?

Sorry for all the questions but I have never had a sumped setup before.

Jay

 

[weezawoo]

Hi
Im not a expert on this at all but have been researching setting up my sump at present!
I was told that the skimmer had to be in the 1st section of the sump. The final section is where you see the water level lower due to evaporation so not sure if this might cause problems with the skimmer.
I am sure someone more in the know can clarify this!

I think you need to aim for the same lph for out and in but Im not running an overflow!

 

[-Nemo-]

1. What overflow box do I need, been looking on eBay and there are lots of different ones which do different LPH.

I would definitely suggest one that is rated for at least 10x flow for your tank. (i.e. if you tank is 150l, you want at least 1500lph).

2. In the picture above I plan on having nothing in section 1 just the water coming in from the overflow, the heater in section 2 with some live rock rubble and in section 3 the skimmer and return pump. Will this work and is there anything else I should have in the sections i.e. sand etc, I do plan on putting some cheato in section 2 as well.

As stated above, you want the skimmer in the first chamber for multiple reasons. The first being the water level will be changing in the third chamber from evap. which will lower the efficiency of the skimmer, and two, the good things in your refugium will be skimmed out instead of going in the main tank.

3. The baffels in at the left most side of the sump I plan on making the same size as the ones on the right, is that ok?

You have two "bubble traps", as they call them, you only really need one. You can leave the one after chamber 1 and then just have a single baffle separating chamber 2 and 3. You want the baffles to all be the same height (except the one in the middle of the bubble trap that sits up from the bottom)

4. What sort of return pump will I need?

Return pump size will depend on the overflow you go with. I always suggest going with one larger. (i.e. if you get a 1500lph overflow, you want a pump rated for MORE than 1500lph). You would then want to plumb in a ball valve with extra water going into either chamber 1 or 2. This way, you can control the water level and flow of the pump.

Sorry for all the questions but I have never had a sumped setup before.
Not a problem, if anything didn't make sense, let me know.

 

[jaylam]

Thanks for all the info both of you.

I am just comprising a list of things to get and order them bit by bit, I don't want to order everything at once as I have to mod my cabinet to take the sump and re enforce it so im just making sure I have everything ready to go for when I have the spare cash to get a new cabinet and mod it.

 

[dayzofspeed]

how is the sump coming along jay?