Final Sump design 29g...few questions

The drawing is not to scale
All the pvc tubing is 1"

1. How tall do the baffles have to be?
2. What are the advantages of having the small drain chamber for the drain pipe?
3. Do i use flexible PVC from the tank to the sump?
4. Should i use a filter sock?
5. Do i need to make any improvements to the design
6. On the small drain chamber, should i use 2x2 pieces of acrylic or 4x4



Thanks guys.

Skimmer Details
Urchin Pro In-Sump w/ MagDrive 3 Kit

Kit Features:

• Model # : Urchin Pro In-Sump w/ Drain Fitting
• Tank Size (Gallons): 40–120
• Included Pump: Mag-Drive3 (flowrate of 350 gph)
• Skimmer Height: 20 5/8"
• Footprint: 7.5" x 5.25"

Finally, a small sump skimmer that requires no plumbing, fiddling with, or constant maintenance. The Urchin Pro is the newest addition to AquaC`s line of innovative protein skimmers that utilize spray induction technology. Based on the popular Remora, the Urchin Pro is a sump model that is suitable for small tanks that don`t require the waste-removing power of the AquaC EV Series. No plumbing required, simply drop in the sump and plug in the pump! Unlike most sump skimmers, the Urchin Pro does not need to be raised or tinkered with to maintain the proper water level. For those with larger mini-reefs, try the Urchin Pro.


MagDrive 3 features:

• Watts: 35
• Pump Size (L x W x H): 5.0 x 3.8 x 4.2
• Outlet Size / Inlet Size: 1/2" MPT / 1/2" FPT

 

Well, can't say i've ever seen a small drain chamber like that, but i don't see any problem with the design. You'll have to make the baffles high enough for your refugium, but low enough so that if the power goes out, the excess water from the tank won't flood your sump.

 

What are the advantages of having the small drain chamber for the drain pipe?

I guess the small chamber could reduce microbubbles, usually dont see it that small in a sump

 

The taller the baffles the more water the tank will retain and the less room for water fluxuations you will have. If power goes off then will hoses emptying into tank have enough room to accomidate water. If evaporation makeup fails how many gallons do you have for evaporation. Items such as that I wish I would have thought of before making my sump/fuge.
If filter sock should become cloged then tank might overflow.
Think about water splash when designing return to sump. It can get loud if you just let it hit water.
Flexable braided hose can be stiff, if you want to bend it then soak in a bath tub of hot water to bend first.
Always remember to leave yourself access point if using pvc. my motto is (It always somthing). Don't glue everything cause you will be cutting it out later.
Always leave yourself extra room for additions of other items. Ie sand bed filters, diffrent skimmers, diffrent pumps, denitraters.
The only change I would add a chamber that alows water to be run through live rock. Live rock is a great filter it self.
Good luck.

 

IMO, you just need one more ball valve to help force water to the fuge area. Right now, you have no control over the maximum amount of water to the fuge, only the minimum amount. So I would put another ball valve where I put my sloppy blue lines to create a back flow if necessary.