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Rara 
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 Topic: Sump layout
Posted: October 17 2011 at 5:20pm |
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I have been debating redoing my sump and have finally decided which direction to go.
My current sump is a homemade glass sump. No baffles and one bulkhead for an external pump. Things I don't like about it.
Inconsistent water level for the skimmer.
Filter bag required to eliminate microbubbles.
Sharp unfinished edges.
I think having to run a filter bag is probably my biggest gripe, followed by the potential for the sump to leak/fail.
I considered a custom setup, but decided to go with a 40gal breeder with baffles and switch to a submersible pump. I bought a used 40gal breeder sump, but I thought the layout was less than ideal so I cut it out.
Now my question is how to lay it out. It seems the standard method is to have 3 equal areas; intake/skimmer, refugium, submersible pump. Any reason to deviate from this layout?
Has anyone ever tilted their baffles? I'm thinking if you give them a little tilt the flow will hopefully stay laminar.
Any suggestions for eliminating micro bubbles?
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Snowsrfr
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Posted: October 17 2011 at 8:13pm |
Have you considered Elite-Aquatics DIY 40 breeder kit?
I'm working on a frag tank, and will be using a 40 breeder with the kit.
http://www.elite-aquatics.net/index.php?route=product/product&path=40&product_id=14
Edited by Snowsrfr - October 17 2011 at 8:14pm
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"A fish tank is not a pet. It's a TV that you gotta feed." - John Caparulo
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DLindquist
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Posted: October 17 2011 at 8:36pm |
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Any suggestions for eliminating micro bubbles?
Multiple baffles, sponges and my favorite- sock filters. Don't fix it if it's not broken.
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A government strong enough to give you everything you want, is powerful enough to take everything you have.
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Rara
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Posted: October 18 2011 at 8:47am |
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Bret, I looked at EA's baffle kit. I bought my breeder used and it already had one good baffle in it. So for another $20 I got some acrylic from Lowes for another two baffles.
How often do people swap out filter socks? Seems like I'm always having to wash my two filter socks.
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Laird
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Posted: October 18 2011 at 10:27am |
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I hate filter socks. I think they are way more work then they are worth.
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Indefinite hiatus from sw aquariums.
Once I have my glorious return I'll set back up the following.
50 Gallon rimless cube.
180 Gallons mixed reef paradise
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tcfab
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Posted: October 18 2011 at 11:33am |
First you need to find where the micro bubbles are coming from and try and fix that first. What type of drain system are you using on your tank? herbie style, durso? If you have a durso they can cause some microbubbles and there are ways to eliminate them in the sump. You can do whatever type of baffling you would like, the main purpose of a baffle is to set the water depth at a certain height so that your skimmer is in the correct water depth and it will stay consistant. You might want to look into a 3 weir bubble trap, they are good at eliminating micro bubbles. You might want to look at Melves site he has a lot of info on sumps. http://www.melevsreef.com/allmysumps.html
Edited by tcfab - October 18 2011 at 11:36am
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Need custom acrylic work? give me a call, www.Elite-Aquatics.net (801)645-6386
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Rara
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Posted: October 18 2011 at 12:31pm |
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Thanks for the link. I'll have to read up some more.
I have a single overflow with a durso standpipe. I do like the Bean Animal style, but I don't know if I'd be able to pull that off in my current setup.
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DLindquist
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Posted: October 19 2011 at 7:02pm |
How often do people swap out filter socks? Seems like I'm always having to wash my two filter socks. [/QUOTE]
My custom EA sump is built to hold two filter socks. I like to swap the first sock with the second sock about every four days and add a clean filter sock to the second chamber. I currently have four filter socks and plan on buying about 10 more. Then I will only have to hit the laundry mat about every six weeks. Keep in mind all that crude your filter socks pull out is crude that would otherwise remain in the system.
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A government strong enough to give you everything you want, is powerful enough to take everything you have.
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Deluxe247
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Posted: October 29 2011 at 5:40pm |
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I'm not a big fan of filter socks myself. I think they're nice on a temporary basis to clear up cloudy water after a water change or something. It just depends on your preference. As far as layout goes, I prefer to have my refugium before the skimmer, so it has access to lots of gunk, then the skimmer just pulls out what's left. That said, I've done sumps with the skimmer first, and they both work fine.
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90G Mixed Reef
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Lewy
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Posted: October 29 2011 at 8:46pm |
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And if you start with the fuge you can have it be deeper and give your chaeto more room to grow.
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40 gal w/ 20 sump
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Akira
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Posted: October 31 2011 at 12:22am |
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can u achieve the same thing by feeding ur fuge with a portion of the water returning to ur skimmer? (if ur skimmer is first)
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Deluxe247
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Posted: October 31 2011 at 12:49pm |
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A lot of setups split the drain line to empty into both the Skimmer chamber and the refugium. Usually this is to control flow rates in the sump. Like I said before, I have done both types of layouts and they both work fine, so if you wanted to do the Skimmer first, and split the drain line and feed one portion directly into the refugium, I think that would work fine. Just put a ball valve on each output so you can adjust how much goes into each chamber.
Edited by Deluxe247 - October 31 2011 at 12:51pm
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90G Mixed Reef
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