Help with Sump please

[TopCat]

I have a 29 gallon that I want to make into a sump, for my 90 gallon RR display. I've been reading around and it seems like I should have 3 chambers: drain --> skimmer --> return <-- fuge <-- drain. I also do not know how many and what size baffles i should get for it. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[rbtwo4]

Rick Rkaragozler knows best lol

 

[greg 45]

All a sump does is hold water no matter how big or small .
If you arent handy to make baffles run filter socks to slow down return water.
They will also cut down on micro bubbles going back to tank.
LOL

 

[rbtwo4]

Bump...curious to know how this can work

 

[rbtwo4]

How big do baffles need to be cus last thing he wants is if there's a power outage all that water will come back into sump.

 

[xxxAngeloxxx]

Hope this link helps you out even more

http://theaquariumwiki.com/DIY_Plumbing_101

 

[TopCat]

I have a Marine Technical Concepts INC Model - TM3000 Columinar Protein Skimmer. I plan on using this for now, and may eventually upgrade when I get more advance.

 

[skene]

it's easy... don't put too much thought into it. first you want to decide if you are going to add a fuge into the sump. Then it's just a matter of design. A sump can be as simple or difficult depending on what you want done. You can even add a top off reservoir if you would like. But the baffles are just there to seperate sections, add media chambers (sponge, chaeto etc), and remove microbubbles.

 

[TopCat]

More info...My 90g RR have 1" drain and 3/4" return. My return pump is Eheim 1262.

 

[jbjints]

Like Skene said, "don't put too much thought in to it". I was nervous when I built mine (ask KathyC & EintheC) but in the end it was pretty simple. I kept my sump really simple with a skimmer chamber, three baffles, and a pump return chamber. The baffles were the hardest part and they were easy.

Buy the acrylic sheets from HD and the silicone from your LFS and just do it.

 

[Imbarrie]

This is a great site to look at many types of sump designs.

http://www.melevsreef.com/allmysumps.html

There really is no set way to build these and what is correct for someone may not work for you. But you will know really quick when it doesnt work.

If you can get glass cut at a glass shop you wont need to worry about the problems associated with adhering acrylic to glass. Sometimes the uneven expansion and contraction will separate the joint. And glass will clean up as nice as new where acrylic will start to look like crap soon.
I found a glass place near me that was competitive with acrylic. And the Optix brand of acrylic that HD or Lowes sells is garbage.

 

[rkaragozler]

designing a sump really matters on the equipment you have, or are going to use.
most people do skimmer-fuge return, this is the easier method just because you dont have to t off your drain. list your equipment and i'll try to help you

 

[TopCat]

I have a 90 gallon RR for display, with 1" drain and 3/4" return. Sump is 29 gallon, measuring 30" x 12" x 18". My return pump is Eheim 1262. I will be using Eheim 2217 cannister for Purigen and Carbon also. My current skimmer is Marine Technical Concepts Model - TM3000, looks like a hang-on skimmer, not sure if i can use it submerge. I'm sure I will upgrade the skimmer in the future, so I hope to have some room in the sump. I am thinking about "T"ing off my drain, one to skimmer chamber and the other to the fuge chamber with ball-valve. I've been researching and I'm thinking about:
drain -> skimmer -> return <- fuge <-drain
or
drain -> return <- skimmer <- fuge <- drain

Any advice is welcome. Please let me know if you need any other info. Thanks.

 

[KathyC]

For a 90G tank, you are going to want to be looking into a different skimmer sooner rather than later.
That is a HOB style skimmer and it is an older model.
I'm sorry

Better to switch skimmers now - if at all possible - and build/design the sump with a different skimmer in mind (or in hand). You don't want to build one and find out the footprint is too small for the replacement skimmer. Changing out a sump isn't a picnic..better to avoid that step if you can.

 

[TopCat]

I'm not sure what skimmer is good for a 90g. I'm a newbie :x I figured i'll kake enuff room in the sump for now and get a good skimmer later instead of getting a decent one now, only to upgrade again later. This is an expensive hobby and i dont wanna run my credit card bill higher right now, but i would like to start cycling my tank soon.

 

[KathyC]

The skimmer is up there at the top of the list of important equipment. Get some ideas from folks here on how much room you should leave for the upgraded skimmer before you build the sump if you don't want to buy one just yet.

 

[Imbarrie]

If you have a hang on back skimmer then why bother building a sump?

I would get a new skimmer first, then build a sump around the skimmer. Your sump should prioritize the skimmer since it runs 24/7 it is the single largest exporter of crap.
The fuge should tee off the return.

 

[KathyC]

If you have a hang on back skimmer then why bother building a sump?

I would get a new skimmer first, then build a sump around the skimmer. Your sump should prioritize the skimmer since it runs 24/7 it is the single largest exporter of crap.
The fuge should tee off the return.

He has a RR tank and needs to hook up those connections to start to cycle the tank.

Definitely check out out Marketplace, you might just find a skimmer that will fit into your current budget, you can also place a Want to Buy ad there and can also offer your HOB for sale and possibly defray the cost a little.
Yours is simply too small for your tank and a skimmer should be rated for at least 2 X the water volume in your system.

The last way you want to start off a new tank is buy not exporting all of the garbage that will raise your phosphates & nitrates and cause you algae issues

One other thought is to buy a longer sump so that you have more wiggle room and can add baffles further apart so you will definitely have the space to add whatever skimmer you eventually change over to.

 

[saltwaterinbrooklyn]

i made a sump thread using a 29 gallon tank and it breaks down the baffles and everything else you should check it out, took me a whole half hour to build

 

[saltwaterinbrooklyn]

http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/general-discussion/120561-my-cheap-homemade-sump-fuge.html

the only thing i added was an additional bubble wall just before the return pump !! any questrions feel free to ask, i would be glad to help.