100G tank as a sump - blessing or curse?

[whodah]

hiya!

so, i've aquired the 100G tank that i'll use as a sump mentioned a few posts back. now i'm struggling w/ how to design the sump. it was used as a plenum which i will not be doing.

i'll more than likely be using a lifereef vs3-30 skimmer that i would like to have in-sump if possible (willing to go outside the sump if necessary). dual intakes w/ micron bag thingamajoos. i'd like an internal return pump if possible. lastly, i'd like a refugium the bigger the better.

now, a 100G tank for a sump. how can you go wrong? well, the thing is a tank. not a sump! :P

so i've got to do some acrylic work for baffles. *and* the top of the tank is cut like a tank, not open like a sump. hence there are issues getting things in and out of it.

so, i've sketched the thing out. i'd be very interested if peeps would like to print it or edit the picture with their sump idea? i've got a couple in mind that i'll post here in a bit as i draw them out.

thanks guys!

a 300 dpi pic is available here if you want to print then scan again:
http://www.whodah.com/modules.php?fu...e w_photo.php

if that's not your thing, here's a more reasonable size shot of the 100G tank to be used as a sump:




lastly, a real life shot of it. it's on the left, the 240G display tank to the right. as you can see, it is drilled for an external skimmer. we can utilize that, plug em up, or drill new holes, i'm easy.






the skimmer, the vs3-24, is ~10"x12". i forget the exact dimensions !@#$%@#$%

i'll call jeff tomorrow for sure, but i'm pretty sure it was 8x10, so 10x12 would cover it w/ room.

i was entertaining a euroreef 12-1, but it is 18"x18" which won't fit.

the walls are 9/16" thick by a ruler. didn't bust out the caliper, heehee!

i hope this makes sence, feel free to ask any follow up questions! the more ideas, the better!

[Pro_builder]

Here is a drawing of what I would do.

[Scooterman]

I like these problems LOL!
I just want to hang and see what turn out.

[whodah]

very interesting... the fuge pump could be *quite* small, right? mag 5'ish? i like that because i could up the flow through the sump while not creating too much flow in the fuge!

here's a few more ideas that we came up with:


VERY basic, involves cutting a little out of the top piece of the 'tank'. is this a bad thing?





An idea by BoomerD: involving cutting more out of the top. again, think this is ok? (we do, but just curious on others' opinions...





Here's an idea by smaug. this involves extensive cutting of the top and adding bracing to it which i've seen done on as large as a 65G tank. the dark pieces are added braces:



thx!
Who Dah?

[Pro_builder]

I would put he inlet to the sump in the middle, this way you can have high flow through the sump but have low flow to the refuge. Then have the refuge overflow into the main area, where the drain from the tank is. Then put the skimmer in the middle area too. Then you can just have the return pump and float valve in the last chamber.

[whodah]

yes, i like your design a lot! the only down side is it adds one more pump (heat, electricity costs). but i knw that pump can be small so it shouldn't be too bad.

what is your thoughts on cuttin out on the top of the tank? how about the adding braces idea?

[Pro_builder]

add the braces in the tank and you can cut out the top. The braces will strengthen that tank enough to support the water that you will run in the tank.
I would run a mag 3 or 5 on the fuge pump.

[SP Aquatics]

i would have 2 inlets coming in on opposite corners, with skimmer on one side, refugiuim on the opposite side, and return outlet in middle, this way you can have high flow for skimmer side, and regulate slow flow for refugium instead of all water just flowing down hill style

[BHinAK]

I found his guys site awhile ago. I think there is more than 2 cents worth of ideas here. Lots of DIY step by step pictures.

http://www.melevsreef.com/links.html

[BoomerD]

Wow...old thread. Whodah did indeed build his sump to Troy's design, and it works great.


He has recently built an airstone driven Super Saturn VI skimmer to replace his Lifereef skimmer: