Sump/fuge design

I need to consolidate my fuge and sump into one, to save space. I have seen a lot of designs and am pretty much taking people's ideas and doing the same. Just want to know if you guys think this is ok. If it will work well. I have a 40 gallon tank I am using. The drawing isn't to scale but you get the idea...I don't know how big the return chamber needs to be. There will be nothing in it since it will run to the external pump.

 

Morning,

How wide will you be able to make it, 18 - 24 inches? What stock are you considering for the Fuge?


If that second leg on the left of the drawing is not un-valved overflow from the tank... then, if you use a T (laying on it's side) from your overflow so that the flow through the top of the T would go straight to the fuge via a throttle valve below the T, then you'll only need one valve. This would reduce the chance of shutting down the return from the tank to the point that the display tank could/would overflow.

Though not shown, it looks like you would be controlling the level in the sump by managing the level in the return section of the pump. As narrow as this area is, you could be sensitive to changing levels, likely more so with a submersible verses an external return pump.

Looks like it should work...and be reasonably quiet...

 

Thanks for the input man. I forgot to put the ball valve on the other leg. Both overflows have ball valves on them. The sump is 36lx12wx19h. I have to use the external pump I have. I will have an auto top off hooked up. The fuge will be a DSB and chaeto. I have used this before and worked very well. I wish I had a little more room to work with but I want room in my stand for a chiller and other equipment later on. I also have a phos reactor and carbon reactor not shown in the pic. They can fit hanging on the back of the sump or in the skimmer chamber. I want to make sure I don't get micro bubbles in the return. I have battled that with other sumps.