Sump Towers

[funkyparott]

Has anyone got a sump tower set up - I haven't found any in the sump photos topic?

I don't have any more room in my existing sump for additional features. I have been doing a little reading which has lead me to think a tower of sumps would be a good idea.

The individual tanks would either be plastic or glass, - depending on what I can source cheaply. In theory, I could have four containers stacked and the water flow cascasding from one to the other.

Although the size of each would probably only be 2' by 1', times this by four and the surface area is good. I would be interested in running this setup as a deep sand bed, with cheato growing on top.

I have a major problem with Nitrates now in the main tank - up to 40ppm. I am doing 25% water changes each week which is not fixing this. I know a DSB will take time to set up and establish, but this does look to be a rather cheap method. Plus, I think it would be fascinating to have an area for worms, snails and micro crustaceans (I have been reading Reef Invertebrates by CALFO).

Would be interested to hear people's experiences with additional sumps.

FP

[Cyno]

have a look at si g new setup (reef eden bigger better and more expensive is the thread) he's got a stacking sump system planned in his, very detailed and as with nything he does very well planned (or as i'd call it anal!!!!:p )

[funkyparott]

Excellent. It's about time he pulled his other finger out and got his site back up again, I need to read about deep sand beds.. :D

[funkyparott]

What do you think of these http://www.bitsforpets.com/product_info.php?cPath=7_39_175&products_id=456

The dimensions are 46.5 cm X 26.2 cm X 26 cm and they are only £15 each. Because they are plastic, presumably I would be able to drill them for bulkhead fittings easily.

FP

[simon garratt]

Here you go FP.

as per my tank thread. Pg 1.

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/sump%20assembly.jpg


Basically your flowing from the back of the tank strait to section 2, this is where you can syphon off any large waste (or collect those pesky anthias when they jump over the weir). I was going to take the skimmer off from this tank as well but i might move that take off to the main overflow pipe yet. The finer stuff will flow over the baffle through the Durso down into section 3 (DSB tank, and from here down into the return compartment.

Return flow from the pump is split between some going strait back to tank, the rest gets teed to the top tank (above tank water level) which you could use as your Cheato tank (im using it as a cryptic tank) , then let this gravity feed strait back to your main tank.

Top Tank Cryptic or Fuge

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/Cryptic zone 2.jpg


Main overflow tank.


http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/main outlet skimmer box 2.jpg

DSB area.



http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/DSB area 2.jpg


Main return tank (bottom)

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/Algae bed return box 2.jpg







Hold on theres more to come.

[simon garratt]

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q1/Sump%20assembly%20complete.jpg

Main framework is made from 3x2 with 1" thick shelves for the tanks to sit on. My advice is to take your time building the stand, theres a hell of a lot of weight there and it needs to be square and on a level floor. The footprint of mine is 2x2 but you can easily adapt to suite.


Regards

Si..

[dan-the-man]

Wow thats cool! I want one of them!!! You got any updates yet Si?!

[simon garratt]

not yet Dan but rest assure they'll be on my tank thread as they happen. with any luck. the room will be totally finnished by the end of this month ready for stand and tank to go in.

Regards

Si.

[funkyparott]

That looks really good Si. I can't believe more people have not used a simliar approach for their tanks. After all, I am sure space is at a premium for many, therefore stacking sump tanks is a great idea.

I have found a supplier of shelving that is rated to take 150 kilos on each level
http://www.bigdug.co.uk/acatalog/Budget.html#

Unfortunatley I have not attempted woodwork since high school!

I don't know how sturdy these 'super plastic' tanks are. I will visit the shop tomorrow and take a look.
http://www.bitsforpets.com/product_info.php?cPath=7_39_46&products_id=456

Did you make the glass tanks yourself? If so, how hard would you say creating them was?

FP

[simon garratt]

Did you make the glass tanks yourself? If so, how hard would you say creating them was?

yes. i did them myself. its pretty easy if you have a good glass supplyer that cuts square and grinds the edges for you. A bit of time and patience is all it takes. I like the plastic tank idea though. Just depends how thick they are as far as drilling goes. if they are too thin, you may find they crack around the bulkhead fittings under stress.

regards

Si.

[Cyno]

told you it was anal!!!!!!!!!:D :D Seriously Si looking really good.......far too much sketch up time on your hands!!!;)

[simon garratt]

Not as much time as you think Cyno. All those drawings were pulled from 1 master that took about 3-4 hours to draw. thats the lovely thing about that programm. Once youve done the donky (sorry... Ass) work, the rest is easy.


Regards

Si.:)

PS, Id rather be anal, anyday, than verbaly incontinant :p

[Cyno]

Not as much time as you think Cyno. All those drawings were pulled from 1 master that took about 3-4 hours to draw. thats the lovely thing about that programm. Once youve done the donky (sorry... Ass) work, the rest is easy.


Regards

Si.:)

PS, Id rather be anal, anyday, than verbaly incontinant :p

thats not fair, i can't respond without supporting your arguement!!!!!!

[simon garratt]

tee hee,:D

[funkyparott]

The plastic tank idea is on hold. Today I purchased a ClearSeal tank for fourty something pounds. The dimensions are 36" X 15" X 12". I still have to drill through the bottom plate to fit a tank connector (this could make or break my plan - literally !! The glass is only 5mm thick).

As per my orginal plan, this will take up one of the shelves in my sump tower.


http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h2/funkyparott/newtank.jpg

I have taken Si's idea for a DSB and come up with this:-

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h2/funkyparott/dsb.jpg

Is six inches a realistic size for the sand bed in this setup? I have taken Si's idea of a baffle at one end and introduced an identical one at the other side. The idea here is to direct and force the flow accross the surface of the sand bed. I have left a gap of one inch for the water to pass through between the baffles.

Although this is only a three foot tank, I have the shelving capacity to add two more identical tanks like this, meaning I could have nine foot of DSB. Is nine foot of DSB just stupid, am I becomming a DSB who**? Any feedback appreciated.

Sandy Parrot.

[funkyparott]

I wonder whether a MOD would be kind enough to move this over into the DIY section, if they feel its appropriate.

I have now ordered the rack, 42mm drills for the 32mm VDL tank connector - should all be here tomorrow.

I popped down to the local glazzers who whipped up four sheets of 4mm glass for my baffles, as well as smoothing the edges. It only came to £10 - bargin.


Tomorrow is potentially doomsday with regards to drilling the tank ...:confused:

[Mode]

Simon - have you got any diagonal bracing on that tower?

Mode

[simon garratt]

Simon - have you got any diagonal bracing on that tower?

nope. I didnt need to in the end. its within 0.5mm square all round and will sit on a newly leveled floor. all the main joints are triple screwed and glued. and it will be sitting in a corner with two sides against the walls. Although i must admit that if your not 100% happy with your woodworking skills then yes, Id add a diagonal brace across two sides.

Regards

Si.

[Tinca]

If the Romans had Simon Garrat they would have biult Rome in an afternoon having conquered the known world in the morning!;)

Awesome stuff mate - love the CAD drawings and great to see the 'Tower' as it really is....awesome stuff...this is what home reefing is about!

[sharemaster]

Good sketchup use there Mr G! I think you should make your spangly tank connectors available for us all ;)

[funkyparott]

Well, tank is drilled, baffled and piped up ready to go just about.

On the subject of sand, I would be interested to hear people's opinion. I plan to run the sand bed at six inches. I will need 120 pounds of sand according to the ReefCentral sand calculator. There is no way on this earth I am paying £30 a bag of 20lb 'live sand'.

I plan to buy a few bags of the Aragmax Sugar Fine Sand and mix in a little of STM's Ultra Fine Marine White Sand. The aragmax is stated to have a particle size of 0.2-1.2mm diameter.

There is plenty of material on the net on the subject of DSB and particle grain size. There is not much talk on how to utilise the sand. I have heard of people starting the bottom couple of inches with a larger diameter sand tand then the remaining with sugar fine sand. The reason for the larger diameter sand - I am not sure.

My understanding was that I wanted small, rounded particals of sand (e.i sugar fine) to allow critters, worms etc to move through. The roundness of grain supposedly makes this easier.

So, do I have different layers of varying sized grain or do I fill her up with my Aragmax Sugar Size / Ultra White Marine Sand combo?


FP

[instantsquid]

Is the DSB going in the tank or the sump?

Definitely don't pay a small fortune for "live sand" - you can seed it with a couple of cups of sand from a local reefer, existing tank or LFS.

I used the Seachem's oolitic aragonite for my DSB. It took six bags of the stuff to get the required 5-6" depth.

I'm not sure what the reason for the larger grain sand at the bottom could be - I used the same stuff all the way through.

- Ian.

[funkyparott]

Cheers Instant Squid.

The DSB is going into it's own special sump. Aragmax it is then!
:D

FP

[AlanM]

Any chance of an update on this :D ?

I'm just thinking of going stacked myself, I've been given a 30" x 17" slot but 8.5' high for the sump on the other side of the wall to the tank.

I'm thinking of going the Si G way and having a refug high up gravity returning to the display tank (another hole in the wall - it'll be Swiss Cheese before long!)

Any hints or pointers?

Ta.

Alan.