DIY 30g sump

[dskidmore]

Originally Posted by want2findnemo

Can i solve that problem by making both sides of the drains equal level?

Yes.

Originally Posted by want2findnemo

Will my update on the new design solve this?

Yep! You will have a slightly lower max return flow capacity with the extra turns, but unless you're pushing your overflow to it's limit, it should be ok.

[want2findnemo]

Excellent...


Thank you very much!

[want2findnemo]

would it be wise to use just clear plastic flexitubing instead of riggid PVC?

[dskidmore]

Originally Posted by want2findnemo

would it be wise to use just clear plastic flexitubing instead of riggid PVC?

Spa Flex is popular. Especially for your return line, where you want as few fittings as possible wasting your precious pump power.

[want2findnemo]

After reading some stuff on melevs site about diy sump.

I changed my sump design to this.



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I know some say that the water going into the refuge should be from the drain line but there was an example on melvevs site where he had it comming from the return pump.

http://www.melevsreef.com/return.jpg

Skimmer à Return ß Refugium

In this situation, the two outer compartments receive their water from two sources (or one supply line that has been split), and pour into the central compartment.
Benefit - Refugium wall can be taller, and the amount of water flowing through it can be controlled with a ball valve.

One objection often voiced is that “you don’t want to skim out the nutrients in the water going to the refugium.” This isn’t possible to do, unless every drop of water had to go through the skimmer to get into the refugium. Most of the water runs right past the skimmer! Even with a very weak return pump, the water pumped into the skimmer is only a portion of the body of water traveling into the next compartment.

[dskidmore]

Originally Posted by want2findnemo

I know some say that the water going into the refuge should be from the drain line but there was an example on melvevs site where he had it comming from the return pump.

A preference really. If your refuge is mostly for nutrient export, then it doesn't really matter, either location is fine, and taking the water from the pump makes it much easier to regulate the flow through the fuge. If your fuge is for growing pods though, you really do want the dirty water to feed the pods.

[want2findnemo]

This is what i got so far.

I need some advice to see if i should put baffels where the yellow lines are. And how much space i should have between each section (red lines)

Non of the baffles are glued on yet.



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Had a question about the return pump section.

return pump power