Sump Pump size?

[rDr4g0n]

im going to be building a sump soon for my 30 gal aquarium. the sump will be made out of a 10 gal aquarium and will include a refugium.



the intake will be in the corner of the first chamber. the rest of the first chamber will include a protein skimmer and heater. that will overflow to the return pump.

the return pump will pump some water into the refugium, but will use a ball valve to control the flow (slow is good). it will include and additional valve to slow the return flow as well by pumping water back onto itself. the rest goes back to the aquarium.

the overflow box i plan to build myself from acrylic and 2 utubes.

2 questions. 1) should i plumb it further to split the return into 2 pipes, one for either side of the aquarium? 2) what size pump should i use to do this job.

[Dentoid]

Eventually, you should wean your sump of bioballs and filter floss, they area a nitrate factory. I would consider a filter sock at the intake. In this design, where is the skimmer?

[Dentoid]

Sorry, just reread your first post. So the skimmer is in the middle chamber. Are you sure you have enough room in a ten gallon aquarium for all of this?

[rDr4g0n]

actually the skimmer will be in the first chamber. i can jsut do away with the filter floss and bio balls... i just figured itd be good, but i suppose all teh LR will be fine.

ya i think the 10gal will be big enough. i assume the 1st and 2nd chamber dont need to be too large since they mostly serve to receive and return water. if necessary i can simply have a 2nd 10 gal function as a refugium and have this 10 gal solely for sump... is that a better solution?

also can you recommend a pump size?

[PhilOlsen]

I would use a Quiet One 3000 and control the flow with the ball valve, I have used their pumps for years and have no complaints. It is better to have a slightly larger pump than needed to allow for some wear over time IMO.

[Dentoid]

Originally Posted by rDr4g0n

actually the skimmer will be in the first chamber. i can jsut do away with the filter floss and bio balls... i just figured itd be good, but i suppose all teh LR will be fine.

ya i think the 10gal will be big enough. i assume the 1st and 2nd chamber dont need to be too large since they mostly serve to receive and return water. if necessary i can simply have a 2nd 10 gal function as a refugium and have this 10 gal solely for sump... is that a better solution?

also can you recommend a pump size?

There are others that have more experience with this than me. However, you're better off with two ten gallon tanks than one, if you can accomodate. It will increase your overall water capacity, which is always a good thing. I would think a mag 9 to mag 1200 would be adequate.

[PhilOlsen]

Originally Posted by Dentoid

There are others that have more experience with this than me. However, you're better off with two ten gallon tanks than one, if you can accomodate. It will increase your overall water capacity, which is always a good thing. I would think a mag 9 to mag 1200 would be adequate.

I would recommend using 1 20 gallon over 2 10's. The additional plumbing and pumps make it much more expensive than just using a 20. A 20 will also give you all the room you need + add the always welcome increase in water volume.

[rDr4g0n]

i agree a larger sump would be good. do you guys think itd be better to forgo the refugium alltogether for now, or just try to divy up the little bit of space thats available between refugium, intake, and exhaust?

[PhilOlsen]

I would go with the fuge, even if you cant put your skimmer in it, it still provides a lot of benifits I would divide into 3 chambers,
1: intake with a sock to help with bubbles
2: LR and or macro algae
3: return pump
1 & 3 do not need to be that large, just big enough to house a input and the return pump, make the middle section as large as possible to give yourself a place for the sand/mud, and LR and or macro algae. If you do use macro though you will need a small light to keep it healthy and growing, ther are 9 watt units available for about $30 at Marine Depot.

[Dentoid]

Originally Posted by PhilOlsen

I would recommend using 1 20 gallon over 2 10's. The additional plumbing and pumps make it much more expensive than just using a 20. A 20 will also give you all the room you need + add the always welcome increase in water volume.

Good point Phil.

[quote]i agree a larger sump would be good. do you guys think itd be better to forgo the refugium alltogether for now, or just try to divy up the little bit of space thats available between refugium, intake, and exhaust?[quote]

I would go with the refugium now if you have the resources so that it can mature with the main system and for the resons Phil has outlined. I do not have a refugium at this time. However, I regret not starting with one. Now I have a wet/dry filter that I am tring to convert.

[Dentoid]

Originally Posted by PhilOlsen

I would recommend using 1 20 gallon over 2 10's. The additional plumbing and pumps make it much more expensive than just using a 20. A 20 will also give you all the room you need + add the always welcome increase in water volume.

Good point Phil.

i agree a larger sump would be good. do you guys think itd be better to forgo the refugium alltogether for now, or just try to divy up the little bit of space thats available between refugium, intake, and exhaust?

I would go with the refugium now if you have the resources so that it can mature with the main system and for the resons Phil has outlined. I do not have a refugium at this time. However, I regret not starting with one. Now I have a wet/dry filter that I am tring to convert.

[Dentoid]

Oops! Didn't get the quote bracket correct in post #10. Mea culpa.