Building new Sump. Need help

[chinatown]

I'm going to build a simple 20G long sump. with 3 sections, skimmer, fuge, return. I will have 3 baffles for the bubble trap and another one to separate the fuge and return.

The dimension of the tank is 30" x 13" x 12".

If I want 8 inches of water, do I cut the baffles to 8 inches x 13 inches wide? Or does anyone know how wide I should have them cut to?

 

[KathyC]

Not sure I'm understanding your question...
If you only want 8" of water in the entire sump - then yes, that's the height you would aim for.

You need to cut them a TINY bit more narrow than the inside dimension of the tank so you can fit them in there and then add the silicone.

Some folks also trim the silicone in the sump itself where the baffle will sit on the bottom 2 corners (if that makes sense to you )

Remember if you are using a glass tank, you need to use glass baffles

One other thought - I see you have someone else cutting them - if it's a glass shop - best to bring the sump with you

 

[chinatown]

Not sure I'm understanding your question...
If you only want 8" of water in the entire sump - then yes, that's the height you would aim for.

You need to cut them a TINY bit more narrow than the inside dimension of the tank so you can fit them in there and then add the silicone.

Some folks also trim the silicone in the sump itself where the baffle will sit on the bottom 2 corners (if that makes sense to you )

Remember if you are using a glass tank, you need to use glass baffles

One other thought - I see you have someone else cutting them - if it's a glass shop - best to bring the sump with you

Thanks Kathy. You've basically answered most of my questions. I can't use acrylic for the baffles? Is there a reason why?

 

[rkaragozler]

are you putting the fuge on 1 side and skimmer on the other side, ( this is a better setup) you would need to make 2 baffles 8" and sandwich another one in betwwen those ( that one has too be as high as you could make it, just make sure you leave at least 1 1/2" between the baffles and 1 1/2 in the bottom of the center one. as far as the baffle for the fuge side that depends on how much water volume you want.

 

[rkaragozler]

Acrylic and silicone does not adhere to each other very well. If you need help just ask, I have built alot of sumps.

 

[chinatown]

Acrylic and silicone does not adhere to each other very well. If you need help just ask, I have built alot of sumps.

Oh I see. Guess I'll have to go to a glass shop. Thanks.

 

[rkaragozler]

If you need help cutting just let me know, no need to give someone your hard earned money if you could get it done for free

 

[chinatown]

sure thing rkaragozler. pm'ed.

 

[rkaragozler]

With your permission I would like to post your sump build here as everyone gets an idea how to build one

 

[chinatown]

sure. I'll make a build thread and take pictures.

 

[oonycxwilloo]

I have the same layout for my sump. I actually just built one yesterday for one of my customers that is setting up a new tank. Is this something you were referring to?

Please excuse the mess. Working on something

 

[chinatown]

hey will,

yup. that's exactly what i was going to do. is that a 29g sump? thanks for the pics.

 

[oonycxwilloo]

30 gallon long

 

[125reefer]

im only making a spot for the skimmer.sock,heater in 1 chamber and the return,and 2 reactors in another.that will work as well right?i dont need a 3 compartment sump correct.my fuge is going to be in another tank

 

[oonycxwilloo]

If your fuge is not in the sump, you can just go with the drain, skimmer, sock and heater in one chamber, and the second chamber you can have whatever you want in there since your fuge is in a another tank.

But heres my question, if your return is going to be in your sump, how is water going to return back to your main tank? Do you have a feeder pump feeding water back to main tank?

 

[rkaragozler]

1-If you are going in the route of having a separate fuge, you have to t off your drain fedding the fuge and have the fuge feed your sump by means of gravity, either by drilling a hole and putting a bulkhead in or another overflow box. but it must be higher then your sump.

 

[125reefer]

i built a 3 tiered stand.the drain from my main tank goes into the fuge.then i drilled a hole for the fuge to drain into the sump.then the return will be in the sump on the lower tier to pump back into the DT

 

[rkaragozler]

Thats fine but I think by allowing all the water thru the fuge will be too much, I would tee off and put a ball valve on it to regulate flow to fuge. and the other side of the t would go straight into the sump.

 

[125reefer]

thats funny.i asked like 2 weeks ago peoples advise on this and all i got was my stand will be to high.so i plumbed everything already and glued all pvc already.havent tested it yet and now im going to have to redo if this is the case

 

[Imbarrie]

Everyone has their own ideas.

I would pass through the sump/skimmer then fuge then back to the display tank. It would make the macro more efficient if the water has been skimmed already.


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