Need Help!! Making a Sump

[Wolverine57]

I purchase a New 55G Glass Tank to be used as a sump.

Measurements: 48 1/4"x 12 3/4"x 21"
A hole will be drilled for a Reeflo Snapper/Dart Hybrid
Skimmer: BM NAC7 Protein Cone Skimmer

Need area for the skimmer & Refugium (LR /Chaeto or Bioballs)
Taking all this into consideration, I have a few question and appreciate any advice.

Question:
1) How many baffles recommended and how should I place the baffles?
2) The tank is 21" tall. So what height should the baffles be cut.
3) How much space sho I allowed for the refugium, skimmer and the return side.
4) Should I put a check valve?

If I left something out, and you any of you have any thoughts please feel free to comment.

Thanks
Johnny

 

[jedimaster1138]

I just rebuilt my sump and improved upon my past sins...

You want the refugium to be as big as possible BUT you have to take into account the size of your skimmer. You need room to be able to do maintenance to it, get it out of that section, and even turn it to a different orientation. I'd make sure you dry fit things a lot. Measure 19 times, dry fit 37 times glue once.

The height of the baffle between the skimmer section and refugium is probably going to be based on the ideal height of the sump water level to make your particular skimmer work the best and be happy. You'll have to research that. Err on the side of too tall though if you have to ... you can always raise your skimmer up with some sort of contraption if you make it too deep.

After the refugium and before the return section you want a bubble trap to reduce micro bubbles from the skimmer from making it up into your DT. You do not need one between the drain skimmer section and the fuge. Waste of space.

Check valve? What for? I know check valves usually don't work in saltwater applications...but I'm not sure where you are putting one anyway.

Here's an elevation view of my sump. It's just what I did... it's probably not perfect and there are undoubtedly 19 ways to do it, but you get the picture, pun intended.

 

[rkaragozler]

what is the size of your display tank? is it reef ready?

 

[xxxAngeloxxx]

Did you draw this sump diagram? If so thanks alot it now makes lot sense to me.

Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Reefs

 

[jedimaster1138]

Did you draw this sump diagram? If so thanks alot it now makes lot sense to me.

Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Reefs

Yeah I did it with Adobe Illustrator because I'm a big nerd. I also have an overhead one, if you're bored and want to see the birds eye view. LOL

It's mostly to scale, but not 100% accurate. It helped me figure out what i was doing wrong and am still doing wrong. Thanks goes to Masterswimmer for help on placement of things. He told me where I was really dumb

 

[saltwaterinbrooklyn]

http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/general-discussion/120561-my-cheap-homemade-sump-fuge.html. This is the thread of my build and it only differs in a final bubble wall i added just before the return pump!!

 

[saltwaterinbrooklyn]

Oh yeah i almost forgot"...................... Dammit angelo!!!!

 

[REEF MANIA]

BM-NAC7
Capability : 500L-700L (130G-185G)*
pump:atman ph2500 (made in china)
Pump power: 28W, 110V 60Hz
air intake : 500L/H
Dimensions: 235?215?500mm( 9.2" * 8.5" * 19.6 ")
cylinder: Max 9"
Water Level :9.5"-11"
*At BRS we recommend using the tank size recommendation only as a guideline. There is no way these suggestions can accurately judge your particular tank because everyone has different livestock, feeding habits and maintenance schedules. A quality protein skimmer is a critical piece of equipment and can easily be the difference between a single year or a lifetime of success with your reef tank. This is the rule we suggest when choosing a skimmer. Choose the best possible skimmer that fits inside your budget and the space you have available. In the long run this will save you a fortune because you won?t feel the need to constantly upgrade your equipment


Leave your filter sock holder a few inches below the top of the sump. Just in case your socks get so dirty and start overflowing you want that water to stay in the sump.
I would make your 1st baffle after the skimmer 10" high That's the ideal water level for your skimmer according to the specs. Leave the fuge section big as possible. Then I would do a 3 wall baffle to eliminate the micro bubbles before the return section. Just like the diagram jedimaster1138 posted. Here is the number of the guy Chris who made my sump. (347)903-1676 He does great work. I'm sure he can give you some great advice or some pointers. He made me a custom 75 gallon acrylic sump. Works great. Good luck with your build Johnny.