Build a sump. "How To"

[spartyblaze]

Glad you are back to the hobby!

Question regarding your baffles: I agree with your theory for daily top offs and plan to build an ATO eventually.

Is there a good way to calculate those baffle heights?

Building a reefuium pretty much carbon copy to yours in a 55g long....

[reefone]

Originally Posted by spartyblaze

Glad you are back to the hobby!

Question regarding your baffles: I agree with your theory for daily top offs and plan to build an ATO eventually.

Is there a good way to calculate those baffle heights?

Building a reefuium pretty much carbon copy to yours in a 55g long....

the best way to figure out baffle height is to figure out how much back syphen u have when the power goes out. for that i figure 2" of water from the main display and a couple extra gallons. i use this calc for that.
Tank Volume
then i figure out how many inches i need from the top of the sump to hold the back syphen. i also use the calc for that. and the u have baffle height.

[John]

^^^

What he said.


VVVVV

Originally Posted by reefone

the best way to figure out baffle height is to figure out how much back syphen u have when the power goes out. for that i figure 2" of water from the main display and a couple extra gallons. i use this calc for that.
Tank Volume
then i figure out how many inches i need from the top of the sump to hold the back syphen. i also use the calc for that. and the u have baffle height.

[spartyblaze]

Thank you guys.

[tinkagain]

I hope this isn't a dumb question since I am new to this, but what is the egg crate for? Does live rock need something to rest on? Is it so the glass doesn't break if you are moving it around? Just wondering.

[John]

Originally Posted by tinkagain

I hope this isn't a dumb question since I am new to this, but what is the egg crate for? Does live rock need something to rest on? Is it so the glass doesn't break if you are moving it around? Just wondering.

I also put the eggcrate up on a stand to keep detrititus from building up under the LR. If it were able to build up problems would possibly arise.

Also, the eggcrate does help to prevent damage to the bottom of the aquarium.

[sharky]

vary help full thanks sticky

[bk270]

Has anyone used GE brand 100% silicone? I'm assuming it is safe.

[lwillis22]

Originally Posted by John

Has anyone used this DIY thread to build a sump/refugium yet? if so how has it worked out for you?

Hi John,
Thanks for this wonderful DIY. I need to do a sump but not sure where to beging. I have a wet/dry filter and wondering if I can use this or should I make my own. If I make my own, what size tank should I use? My tank is a 90 gallon? I don't understand how the water filters from tank to sump?

Thanks,
Lori

[tcp316]

I went sideways when I installed my baffles. I cut spacers from some scrap wood and stacked everything. At least for me, it made setting the baffles pretty easy.

When you caulk your baffles that are close together, how do you get in between on the second and third baffle? Do you caulk both sides of the baffle? I may have had my baffles too close together the last sump I made. I am getting ready to make one tonight and am just curious.

[rhouse24]

Originally Posted by John

I've gotta point out a really good part of this design. Something where melev's designs all fail. In this design John placed the first baffle high forcing all the water to travel underneath it. I am amazed at the amount of people I see draining the skimmer chamber from the surface with over/under/over baffles

When I originally set up my 110 I had a remora hanging on the back of the dt. I had half a dozen fish in there and fed a cube of mysis per day. I would be lucky if I got the cube's volume in skimmate in 2 days and my nitrates climbed above 20ppm. Since I put the remora in a sump chamber that drains from the bottom I've got exponetially more skimmate and my nitrates are down to 2ppm!!!!!

Now I only have 2 fish and I only feed a small pinch of mysis everyday and this is what I get.... Every 5 days!!!


Why, because skimmate is by definition a surfactant. Remove the surface water from the skimmer chamber and you just removed most of your skimmate.

Do yourself a favor and design your skimmer chamber to pull water from the bottom. Even if you've already built your sump next time your feeling ambitious remove the first baffle. Your inhabitants will thank you

Off my soap box I go....

[lwillis22]

This is some great directions but can you tell me how tall baffle B and E are suppose to be? It says 14.5 but it looks like it goes all the way to the top. You don't want it all the way to the top do you?

Also, the diagram shows the middle section with egg grate and LR suppose to go under but it doesn't look like there is enough room for any LR under it?

Thanks,
Lori

[John]

No, I only caulk one side, but I tend to leave a large enough bead of silicone that I can move it back and forth once or twice to ensure that there is a good seal.

tcp316 Quote:
I went sideways when I installed my baffles. I cut spacers from some scrap wood and stacked everything. At least for me, it made setting the baffles pretty easy.

When you caulk your baffles that are close together, how do you get in between on the second and third baffle? Do you caulk both sides of the baffle? I may have had my baffles too close together the last sump I made. I am getting ready to make one tonight and am just curious.

You can use this design to replace your current wet/dry setup. However make sure to adjust all measurements for your equipment, also make sure to allow for ample room for expansion.

Sump

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Quote:
Originally Posted by John
Has anyone used this DIY thread to build a sump/refugium yet? if so how has it worked out for you?

And as for the LR under the egg grate... crate... whatever you wanna call it. I put crushed LR below it. It's a mecca for Pods and such.

Hi John,
Thanks for this wonderful DIY. I need to do a sump but not sure where to beging. I have a wet/dry filter and wondering if I can use this or should I make my own. If I make my own, what size tank should I use? My tank is a 90 gallon? I don't understand how the water filters from tank to sump?

Thanks,
Lori

This is some great directions but can you tell me how tall baffle B and E are suppose to be? It says 14.5 but it looks like it goes all the way to the top. You don't want it all the way to the top do you?

Also, the diagram shows the middle section with egg grate and LR suppose to go under but it doesn't look like there is enough room for any LR under it?

Thanks,
Lori

[NanoReefKid]

where could i get some egg crate from?