Sump/Overflow setup help needed.

I just finished my first refugium/sump build. I used an old 29G tank and added the baffles. My next step is to purchase a overflow and return pump to match. I don't know where to begin, and was hoping to copy someone elses setup that is already tried & tested.

my DT is a 55G and i need to figure out how many GPH i want to have the overflow rated at to work well with my 29G sump/refugium. i know i can tee off the return line and put the excess back to the pump compartment but i don't want to be under sized either and hardly move any water.

Lastly i was concerned to know what happens when you have a power outtage and your at work right... and the sump pump shuts off and then an hour later the power comes back on and your sump pump starts pumping but your overflow needs to get primed to start flowing again right? is there something i'm missing here or is this a ticking time bomb for disaster? I live in an appartment and don't want to flood the place and my landlord is really cool and lets me keep the tank even though they are not allowed. so im trying to do the responsible thing by doing all i can to avoid this.

 

on the overflow you use an aqua lifter pump(under $20) it will prime the overflow.i made my own overflow box but cpr makes some nice ones.they make all different sizes so its up to you on how much water turn over you want..i have a 120g setup and made to overflow boxes and use a rio 32hf pump turning over 1400gph.

 

How is your sump/fuge set up?

You should look at Eshopps overflows. They're cheaper than CRP and don't require a lifter pump to restart siphon. I've been running one for over a year and to date it has not lost siphon even after power losses. Lifter pumps are just another possible point of failure.

 

they are cheaper im just not big on the siphon tube. if it ever catches air in the siphon tube its all over usually your floor

 

A properly sized return pump will supply enough water flow to feed the siphon. As long as the pump feeds enough water to the DT the siphon will flow with enough force to prevent bubbles from getting trapped at the top of the tube. It's a proven technology, many have used them for a decade or more and never had a single issue with it.

 

alright well i think i'm going to get a overflow rated around 800gph and a 1000gph return pump.

I like the CPR design anyone else have one they like? are the CPR overflows quite?

This is a crude diagram of my sump/refugium that i built. nothing special it's going to have some egg crate in between the baffle to stop snails from getting into the return pump chamber . I'm also going to make a holder for a filtersock to hang inside and have the water from overflow goes into the filtersock and stops the majority of microbubbles going into the skimmer compartment

What do ya think??

 

I have a question. Do you always want to get an overflow rated for less then the pump? For instance it seems to me that the overflow would want to be able to return water at the same speed or faster then the pump. So you dont overflow your tank. I am new to the hobby sorry if that is a dumb question.

 

You can always get a larger pump and then throttle it back with a valve until you get everything just right!

 

I would make it skimmer on left return section in the middle and fuge on the right. That way you can T off the OF line and slow the water flow down across the fuge. It should only be 1/10 the flow in gph.... 100g display = 10 gph across fuge.

 

Air actually doesn't effect them. If they do get air bubbles in the tube there is less space for water to flow through. As bubbles build there is even less space causing the water to move faster through what space is left. Once the water is moving faster through the smaller space no more bubbles can accumulate. I run one on an underrated pump and the U-tube always has a large bubble in it. It's been running like this for about a year with no problems.