Sump size for 75 gal

[MrSculpin]

If you are going to have a refugium I would suggest it be separate from the sump. Yes, people have them as part of the sump, but in a tank that fits under a 75 you will not have much room for a proper refugium so it might be more headache than it is worth. I would suggest a separate tank/tub for a refugium.

figure out all the stuff you plan to put in the sump before you make any decisions. Things I can think of right away include:

• skimmer
• auto top off
• PH/ORP probes
• carbon
• filter sock
• heater(s)
• return pump
• phosban reactor, feed pump, plumbing
• thermometer

I guess all I am saying is think it through, doodle on paper, plan, replan and just make sure it all fits. There is nothing worse than having to replace a sump while the reef is running.

Good advice. I've been trying to figure it all out and get ideas so this helps alot!

If the refugium is separate, is it plumbed in the main system still? I saw a link somewhere where it was suggested that the water coming from the tank be diverted, part going the refugium, part the skimmer section of the sump.

Does the water from the ref then go back to the tank?

 

[reedman]

Good advice. I've been trying to figure it all out and get ideas so this helps alot!

If the refugium is separate, is it plumbed in the main system still? I saw a link somewhere where it was suggested that the water coming from the tank be diverted, part going the refugium, part the skimmer section of the sump.

Does the water from the ref then go back to the tank?

Most people choose to have water come from the main tank into the refugium then into the sump. Diverting part of the return to the sump and the other part to the refugium is standard practice. You can put the water from the fuge back to the tank or to the fuge...unless you plan to put the fuge above the tank and gravity feed it back to the tank there is no difference (pods and such will go thru the pump).

 

[johnmaloney]

by the way do you have a harbor freight nearby? They always have some deal on pumps going on.

I don't know if the others here would agree with me or not, but I like a weak pump, to keep water in the refugium moving slowly. (Still needs like 300 gph after the lift though). Then get the rest of the current from powerheads. Reedman's way is the best of both worlds, as you can get the extra flow in the tank, plus low flow in the refugium.

 

[Chichas01]

I have an 80 gallon build that I'm doing witha 29 gallon sump and a 20 gallon refugium that sits above the sump inside the stand. I built my stand 'oversize' to accomadate the sump, refugium and skimmer i'm using. You can see pics here:
http://www.reeffrontiers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41286

Hope that helps with some ideas.

 

[MrSculpin]

I have an 80 gallon build that I'm doing witha 29 gallon sump and a 20 gallon refugium that sits above the sump inside the stand. I built my stand 'oversize' to accomadate the sump, refugium and skimmer i'm using. You can see pics here:
http://www.reeffrontiers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41286

Hope that helps with some ideas.

It does thanks!
I think we do have a harbor freight, least I have seen a flyer for them from time to time.

I found this site a bit ago..
http://www.dursostandpipes.com/?page_id=6

 

[MrSculpin]

More questions

Okay... so of the two predrilled holes in the bottom of
the overflow, which one is usually the drain? Largest or smallest?

Do you need some sort of check valve on the return side?

The pods in the refugium, do you scoop out some from there to add to the main tank? I would assume any that got out, into the return section and made the trip back to the tank wouldnt surfive the trip right?

 

[johnmaloney]

the larger one is the drain.

 

[reedman]

The pods in the refugium, do you scoop out some from there to add to the main tank? I would assume any that got out, into the return section and made the trip back to the tank wouldnt surfive the trip right?

They will take the ride just fine and the fish will enjoy them.

 

[MrSculpin]

They will take the ride just fine and the fish will enjoy them.

Thanks for all the answers! You guys are great!

 

[burning2nd]

wow... seems like i logged on right at 75g time...


i have a 45g breeder for my 75....all tho i think im gonna just go thur the wall to a closet behind the tanks (future) spot.
Im planing slow flow thur the sump.

if your return outlet is at the right spot your tank should only siphon a few seconds after the power is lost... as soon as it gasps air.. the siphon is broken,

 

[MrSculpin]

More plumbing questions

Well I have been reading and reading and reading about sumps and plumbing so more questions.

I bought my bulkheads for my predrilled 75 gallon.
And the plumbing for the standpipe and part of what I need for the return.

But on the drain pipe underneath coming from the bulkhead, does it matter if its flexible pipe or rigid PVC?

I looked at Lowes yesterday for a fitting to screw on the outside threads of the bulkhead and plumb down from there. Didnt find anything that fit the bulkhead threads on the outside.

 

[mfinn]

Must be inside threads or slip-fit on the inside.

 

[johnmaloney]

with a drain as long as they all fit together it will be fine- gravity does the work. I have all flexible tubing on my drains, works fine - BUT GET BLACK TUBES OTHERWISE YOU WILL GET ALGAE BUILDUP IF THE LIGHT HITS YOUR DRAINS (oops caps lock). Made that mistake in a MARS system build and I had to go back and change some tubes. You can clamp drains, but I would clamp and glue returns b/.c of the pressure.

 

[MrSculpin]

Must be inside threads or slip-fit on the inside.

Yes, on the larger bulkhead the inside threads do fit
a common size. 1" I think. I was hoping to use the larger outer thread thinking it would be better.. no restrict the drain flow??

Maybe its not that big of a deal.

 

[reedman]

Not really a choice. The bulkheads are designed to use the inside threads.

 

[Jeather]

A few more sump design questions: (MrSculpin I hope you don't mind I am also setting up a 75gal)

1. Is there a basic rule of thumb for the ratio of the size of the Refugium to the DT?

2. The return section is were you will see the evaporation right? About how much water will I lose per day with a 75 gal tank?

3. About the baffles; If my skimmer needs to sit in 8in of water, but I want to have as much water in my return section as I can, can I make the third baffle higher than the first?

 

[MrSculpin]

A few more sump design questions: (MrSculpin I hope you don't mind I am also setting up a 75gal)

I dont mind. No worries!

Jeather, what are you planning on using for your sump?
I dont have one yet, toying with the the idea of making one out of an old fish tank, or tupperware container for now.

Does it help with evaporation at all to cover the sump? or part of it?

Oh also, in reading I have seen where its suggested to have a hole in the return pipe near the top to help prevent
overflows. I saw somewhere, dont recall the link where they showed drilling two small holes in the underside of the return pipe for a siphon break.
Has anyone else done this? and if so how large a hole? how far apart?

 

[Jeather]

I was planning on making my sump. I'm using google SketchUp (its free) to design it. It's a really nice program. If I can figure out how to post my design up here I'll try to do that. That way I can get some constructive criticism. My biggest problem so far is I want my return section to be as large as possible so I won't have to worry about top offs if I leave town for a day or two. (I do that alot in my job.) But the largest I can get the return is about 9 gallons. So if anyone has some tips or knows how much evaporation I should expect that would help alot.

 

[burning2nd]

just wanna follow on this...


Im geting much closer 2 the start of my 75 system..

Ive recut my 3rd baffle down to 18" for the ev 150 skimmer.... Im thinking of drilling some small bulk heads for add ones later. I wounder how the over flow is gonna work and such... this 75g with the mega flow is new 2 me.. from what i under stand i want the drain to be a inch or so under the top line of the black cut plastic that they have... (some sort of screen or "silencer" type thing) Then the return will come back up thur the smaller hole... (or i can use both holes for down and come over the top)

this is where i wounder... Im gonna use 1/4 loc line 4 ends with jet ends so i can come over the top of the black cut out overflow part, and go back down about 10" deep pointing behind my rock wall blowing all detritus outta the rocks up front..

the siphone will have to have i guess litte holes drilled in the top above the water line faceing down.. so that when the power shuts off the top tank doesnt drian in to the sump.


I plan on useing 2 (between .0312-.0469) thats 32'd to 3/64th
faceing down so they will make some little jets faceing down in to the overflow section....

 

[johnmaloney]

9 gallons sits above the tank's return intake? Amount of water above matters alot. I have a poorly designed system and the intake is so high in the sump that it is like it has half the water it really holds. Would change that if I manufactured it.