Overflow to sump.... Calling all Drilled bottom peeps

[sedrostyle]

Well that's my setup. 55 with a in tank overflow and a 20 down below.
It is drilled in the bottom with two bulk heads.
My question is should I have my sump setup differently. Right now I have my setup as both bulk heads as a drain into the sump.

I got this tank from a friend and it was a quick upgrade from my two other tanks.
If i remember right he said that one should be a drain and one a return.

Errr I can see how I'd plumb it but I don't see how it would really work.
I am planning to get a air fed skimmer sooner than later I think because this tune he gave me isn't making me as happy as my CPR did
But for now and future ideas should I change the way I have things?

Ignore the mess I am really thinking about changing my sump setup because I don't think it's as efficient as it could be.
Yes my last couple chambers when it's up to the line only have maybe 5 inches of water?

Let me know what I shall do as I need help whether to leave it or change.
Main question is the two current drains should I plumb a return into it.
Anyways. Thanks in advance. Any help comments are welcome. I have no experience tank design

 

[smoknreefr]

lets see some not so close shots !!!! see what we really got going on !!

 

[eartaker]

As for them both dumping into the skimmer chamber? I would leave it how it is. You could change that 2nd baffle so you get more water in the fuge and would be able to grow out algae. Also I run a filtersock on one of my pipes that dumps into the skimmer chamber.

 

[Derbird]

If I am reading your question right yes. You would want both the bulk heads draining in to your sump. Think of it as a back up in case one of your pipes gets clogged (a snail or something). The other can still drain so your tank wont overflow .

 

[pandora32]

I agree. Have both as drains. I have both my drains going into a filter sock in the same chamber as my skimmer. A few inches of water in a fuge i wouldnt think is good enough for a proper fuge.

 

[iroll253]

 

[iroll253]

Technically the higher pump should have a valve on it also for emergencies/feeding, and the water will always slightly trickle down it. The bottom should be low enough from the top one to easily catch a siphon, then the water level raises to trickle down the top. If you have a hard lined return then you will need a bulkhead for that to of course.

 

[iroll253]

Also the bottom of the pipes should be submerged underwater imo to reduce noise and bubbles. Id use a ebay cpr filter sock for each if you'd like. If you do they will need to be washed frequently though.

 

[dawgwe1]

+1 on irolls drawing. Exactly how I set up my overflow on my 135 and it is dead silent....

 

[kpiotrowski]

thats the way you do it....sorry all the bean animal guys and girls, keep it simple.

 

[iroll253]

I agree. Although the bean animal is just as quiet its more work to set up imo. Ive set up herbies in the past with two safteys and a siphon pipe all different heights. My second post should say higher pipe not pump btw. I dunno what i was doing last night posting 3 times in a row lol

 

[sedrostyle]

If I am reading your question right yes. You would want both the bulk heads draining in to your sump. Think of it as a back up in case one of your pipes gets clogged (a snail or something). The other can still drain so your tank wont overflow .

haha i actually had this happen not to long ago... my overflow was making all sorts of noise.
then i found a hermit in the bulk head haha

as far as having one pipe or even two pipes submerged into the sump level water, when I first setup the sump I did have one of the drains into the water but it gurgled too much.
my wife said it was too loud.

Would it be dead quiet if I put both pipes in the water as the picture shows?

how can i raise the water level for my fuge, when the level its at is kinda my safety net. With still keeping my syphon break on the return. should i move the syphon break up so i can have more water in the FUGE side of the sump?
I have a feeling im going to be moving or replumbing my return i've already mvoed my syphon break twice. and when the outage happens, with repower it sprays the glass pretty good

i will take more pictures tonight, thank you everyone with the speedy response.

 

[sedrostyle]

Okay new syphon break hole I made a few months ago is ok. I still have a gallon it so before my floor gets wet with a power outage.
This is pictured here

This stand is reaaaallly little. I do not like it. When and if I ever get my led situation figured out I am going to go for a 90 or a 120 tall. ( all48" long)
I have my ehiem can filter under there trying to clean up the sump.

Anyways. I noticed the overflow has slots is this to pull the organic from mid tank up to the top of the overflow and down into the sump. ( make sense )
I stirred my sand in curiosity and noticed its not pulling much into the slots.
Could this be the main cause of not being able to control my tank the way id like.
Just want to dial things in thank again.
Do you think a maxi 1200 in power head mode. Also in the overflow picture. And a hydor 750 is sufficient flow to keep the organics moving? Or am I having them settle in the display and not making it to the sump/skimmer