Sump-making clinic?

[Dripline]

I don't nec. want/need a sump...but I'd like to understand how it all works and how to make one...I have the basic concept figured out, but the details elude me...

I'm interested in both FW and SW sumps...

Has anyone ever offered to host a sump workshop? Would this be a good idea?

[patrick]

Just go to google and do a image serche,you will get to see a bunch of examples.

[Dripline]

It ain't really helpin'...

[gadgetguy]

Dripline, I'm with you. Patrick, what we mean is that we want someone to actually respond to our questions and we want to be able to see a fully functioning sump and, by the end, know what does what and what components it consists of.

[Dripline]

Exactly! So well said! :thumb:

[binghamd]

This link shows how a sump works. One of the better & simple to understand sites i think.

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


I am currently making a modified version of the simple sump shown here with an auto top-off gravity feed resevoir for ~$125 total cost. overflow and plumbing is extra. will try post photo once done.

[scythanith]

Sump design isnt science. It really comes down to what you want to accomplish in your sump that dictates what your design will be like.

there are some main components as far as I can tell. Im by no means a pro!!! There are numerous ways to set a sump up, this is only a guideline!

1st chamber: where waste water comes in from your overflow. You want it to be sealed so the water cannot splash out/air bubbles cause massive salt creep.

bubble trap: a series of vertical obsticals that force the water to follow a given route and allow more time for bubbles to escape from the water column.

Second & Third chamber: some sort of an equipment chamber (calc reactor, protein skimmer, heater, probes, etc) or refugium to put live rock into and allow macroalgae to grow and remove nutrients from your system. Some people also house delicate species of fish in the refugium since it harbors microfauna on which they can feed.

Bubble trap: to remove any lingering bubbles from the system before the water reaches the area where the return pump draws its water from.

There are all kinds of extra's you can add on:

effluent boxes: collect the water expelled from a calcium reactor, ozone unit, etc and have a location for a probe to test the effluent before it is released into the sump water.

Probe holders: self explanitory... holds all the probes (pH, temp, ORP, Salin, etc.) which usually return to some type of a display unit or controller.

Heater mounts, water top up float brackets, bulkheads to feed other devices external from the sump.

Esentially a sump is good since it increases your systems total water volume, creates an easily accesible area in which to add filter media, and allows for a safe haven for sick/delicate fish/coral/invert species.

Cheers guys, feel free to ask questions! sphelps is a killer person to ask as well!

Old sump, 25 gallon tall. Sucked cause I couldn't get my fat arm in there!!!

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k99/Scythanith/Tank%20Pics/IMGP1873.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k99/Scythanith/Tank%20Pics/IMGP1874.jpg

New Sump, I designed it, sphelps made it for me. I should have made it a little larger but it fits under my stand well at this size.

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k99/Scythanith/Tank%20Pics/IMG_3477.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k99/Scythanith/Tank%20Pics/IMG_3478.jpg

[sphelps]

Nice post scott

One other addition not already mentioned are filtration chambers which I really like to include. It's accomplished simply by spreading out two baffles and placing egg-crate perpendicular to the baffles to allow the placement of mechanical filtration such as foam or floss and chemical filtration such as carbon bags. It should be done so the water is brought up and down through the media. You can also use special filtration pads which contain carbon or phosphate remover.

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/EngineeredAquariums/sumps/sump.jpg

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/EngineeredAquariums/sumps/IMG_2058.jpg

[binghamd]

Simple Sump completed and under going watertight test - looks ok so far.


http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u279/binghamd/SimpleSump.jpg


Working with acrylic is fairly easy - but still a learning process. I do have some air bubbles in a couple of spots on the seams but appears watertight.

[gadgetguy]

Where do you get your acrylic?

[binghamd]

I got acrylic from Regency Plastics - marginally better prices than elsewhere, but he (Colin) cut & routered all pieces for me (necessary for smooth joins). He also gave me some tips on using solvent & aplicator he supplied.

Unfortunately the costs don't end there. you also need overflow, plumbing, return pump, float valve for gravity feed auto top-off, tubing for same ..... the list goes on.

i found some reasonable prices for some of the above at

http://www.aquatraders.com/index.asp

Having a reef aquarium is like having a child. the costs are never-ending, they need constant surveillance & love & attention and they don't always behave properly. But when things work out ok the satisfaction is worth it all.

[Dripline]

Thanks for all the great info...I've read almost all of it, except for the technical parts that still aren't quite meaning anything to me...

I understand much better now...

Still don't get a few things...for example...where in a sump would you put the heater and the protein skimmer... and don't you need lights for the refugium? Where do those go? And if you raise food in the refugium, how do you pump it to the tank? And if you're raising frags in there, don't they suffer from a lack of filtration?

[patrick]

Where in saskatchewan are you?I think it would be alot easier to understand how a sump works,by seing one in action,then you would get all your answers.
If you are in Regina,you are welcome to come and see the one i built.

[Dripline]

I'm in S'toon! But I could've been in Regina today! However my husband drove the kids to their tournament...I opted to stay home and do chores...:orangehat

Otherwise we coulda had coffee and talked sumps! :yes: LOL...maybe I'll take a raincheque if you don't mind...

[patrick]

No problem:beerchug:

[binghamd]

I'm sure any number of people would show & help you out - from simple to high tech killer sumps such as sphelps.