Sump design help please DIY

Ok so I fixed up my newly acquired skimmer, removed 3 dividers from the sump so the skimmer fits and there is no more fuge.

Since there is going to be 2 1/2 compartments now I need to know if I am doing it right before I silicone the 1/2 part.

Here is what I want: Bioballs with filter sock, 1/2 divider, main divider, skimmer and return pump in last compartment.
This is a 29g aquarium by the way.

 

I'd skip the bioballs and go with Live Rock rubble. I use LR rubble in my sump/fuge.

 

Live rock is better then bioballs ? What about my hight of 1st separator and 2nd one is that good ? Is that going to work with the water going that high and then coming down ?

 

Bump?

 

I would have left the over under over baffles you removed and removed the ones you left in place if it were me. The three together make a good bubble trap and you will need that after the skimmer. You will now have a much higher operating level which may cause problems for proper skimmer operation(may need to place it on a stand) and for having room in the sump to contain backflow in a power outage.

Bioballs are for a trickling filter not a sump.

Here is a pic of my 30G sump during construction 6.5 years ago.




The overflow or main section is in the middle where the skimmer resides. The refugium is to the right and is fed from a tee in the overflow with a 1/2" line and ball valve then overflows into the min/center section. The return section has over under over baffles between it and the skimmer for microbubble dissipation. The tank is a 30 gallon long and I always maintain about 5-7 gallons of freeboard or spare room to contain the 3.5 gallons of water I get when the power is shut off.

 

Ok I see my mistake. So If I leave the first divider where it is at and cut the 2nd divider in half this would greatly reduce the amount of water requred. Then I am good to go?

 

Actually I just took all of the separators off and I am going to copy this guys idea
DIY Sump how to - Cichlid Forums

 

A wet/dry style sump is not what you want if you intend to keep any corals. Freshwater and fish only systems can use a wet/dry but the nitrate levels are too high for a reef system.

There are many reef sump ideas on the forums. I think one that explains things very well and has some nice instructions is at www.melevsreef.com , Marc has spent a lot of time doing this.

 

^^1+^^

 

+2 to this, Melev has a whole bunch of designs and plans. I think there's around 10 on his site.