sump design

Discussion in 'I made this!' started by JJK, Mar 12, 2009.

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  1. JJK

    JJK Teardrop Maxima Clam

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2009
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    Hi folks. I know there has been a lot of discussion on DIY sump design, and I am sorry to bring it up again. But I am having trouble finding the right design.

    I would like to build a 30 gallon sump for a 90 gallon tank (drilled). I would like to be able to fit my octopus extreme 200 protein skimmer, have a refugium, and also have somewhere to put mechanical filtration/carbon in case my tank becomes dirty.

    Could anyone please suggest a design, and please be very explicit, since I have never built anything like this before and I need really clear instructions.

    Thanks!
     
    JJK, Mar 12, 2009
    JJK, Mar 12, 2009
    #1

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  2. JJK

    JJK Teardrop Maxima Clam

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    anyone?
     
    JJK, Mar 13, 2009
    JJK, Mar 13, 2009
    #2
  3. tigermike74

    tigermike74 Panda Puffer

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    What are your dimensions of your tank, is it 30L or 30H?
     
    tigermike74, Mar 13, 2009
    tigermike74, Mar 13, 2009
    #3
  4. rodcpierce

    rodcpierce Ritteri Anemone

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    Cedar Rapids, IA
    I would have 3 chambers, the first being the refugium/water inlet from the overflows. You can also place bioballs in this chamber if you please. Then have the water pass through a bubble trap into the second chamber, where you will have your protein skimmer, uv steralizer pump, etc, then another bubble trap into the third chamber where you have your return pumps. You can also place carbon bags in the first chamber or build a holder for them, etc.
     
    rodcpierce, Mar 13, 2009
    rodcpierce, Mar 13, 2009
    #4
  5. kgross

    kgross Skunk Shrimp

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    Nampa, Idaho
    What I would do is get a filter sock if you want to do mechanical filtration, and put it on your drain pipe. So you would want to leave a little extra room in the skimmer section for the filter sock. Then have a solid baffle (for a 30 long) about 8 inches tall to keep the water level constant for the skimmer. Then at the other end have a short (about 2 inch tall) solid baffle, then egg crate going up to the top of the sump to separate the return section of the fuge. This will allow you to have the return section very very small so you can make the fuge as large as possible. All drain back and evap water will come from both the fuge and return area. For a bubble trap, the algae in the fuge will trap the bubbles so you do not need to waste space on a bubble trap either.

    Now if it is a 30H, you will need to make your solid baffle for the skimmer section much taller and put a platform under the skimmer to keep it around 7 to 9 inches under the water.

    Here is one like that that I made, only the skimmer section had to be very large so we did put in part of a bubble trap since the fuge was not going to be very large.

    [​IMG]

    I'm not sure what is wrong I was trying to post a picture, but it is not working. so here is the link to it.

    http://www.jensalt.com/gallery2/v/shanesump/DSC_0030.JPG.html

    Kim
     
    Last edited: Mar 13, 2009
    kgross, Mar 13, 2009
    kgross, Mar 13, 2009
    #5