Dear Panel - Sump help please

[ZazG]

After having resisted having any form of sump over the last few years, as a consequence of having to help a friend clear up the mess caused by a failed pump at 3am many years ago (and the consequent impending threat of divorce to said friend), as well as the tragic loss of most of his livestock, I am now reconsidering building my own sump.

Due to cabinet struts, top-up reservoirs & general equipment stuffed under my tank, anything which could go under my tank is out of bounds. I am therefore considering building a 4 ft x 8" shelf ABOVE the tank, onto which I would put the sump.

To my mind this would have several advantages:

1) Low head = 60 to 80 cm = less powerful pump = less expense.

2) Gravity return

3) Should the pump fail, there will be no flooding.

4) Easier access for maintenance.


Current system uses a 4" in-tank DSB, 1 x MCE600, 2 x Fluval 404's, and 4 x assorted powerheads.

Tank size 48W x 18"W x 24" H = approx 65 gallons.

Can anyone think of any disadvantages? If so please list!

Lastly, can someone give me a formula for working out what the height of the sump should be, and also how to work out the volume of Aragonite required, as well as the flow.

I have done a search, but can't find the above. I also appreciate that depending on your answers this may be a non-starter due to the odd size of the intended sump.

Thanks for your time, and for any input you may have.

[ZazG]

<Bump> Anyone?

[tuan]

It's not that difficult, just think of it like a 'normal' system but you've chosen to put your livestock in the sump instead!

The only *disadvantage* is that the tank's level will drop with evaporation instead of the sump. So install the float valve in a protected guard in the display tank (you have to protect it from the odd wondering snail).

Pump failure will still have the same risks and solutions as before. ie. you're pumping up from your display tank, make sure there is a siphon break or you'll get wet feet.

The height doesnt really matter, as long as the overflow from the sump is higher than the tank then water will fall/flow down. Flow rate & overflow pipe size still follows same principle as normal system, have as much flow through the sump as you need (e.g. to feed sufficient water into the filtration system), and size the overflow pipe accordingly.

[ZazG]

Tuan, thanks for that.

I have an automatic top up linked to a 4 gallon RO tank - the float switch is fenced in mainly to stop the switch getting false readings from surface ripples, powerheads, etc., so assume this will be ok.

If the alcove I'm fitting this into is 48"W x 8"D, any ideas how high it will need to be (not as in height above the tank, but height of the sump) and what the depth of the sand should be in the fuge part?

Thanks

[ZazG]

One more thing: in view of the height of the sump above the tank (3ft ish), I assume I can use a fairly meaty powerhead instead of an external pump?

Thanks :)

[tuan]

Depends.
If you're intending to use it as a refugium (going on your intention of adding sand) then it doesn't need that fast a flow so a decent power head can do the job.
As for depth of sand bed, again it depends on your intentions, for my own refugia the sand bed varies from about 6" deep to 0.5" for diversity. Bear in mind it's also the quality of sand and how you feed it too. A couple of inches of fine aragonite sand can be a lot better a deeper bed of playsand.

[ZazG]

Great, thanks for your help, time to get pencil and paper out!

Zaz:)