Rivermud;3686438; said:
Maybe I should have been more clear with my question, I feel bad because it sounds as if I haven't read the thread.. I have. What I meant was the bulkhead/piping system to get to the sump and then of course how the sump was going to be used... whether the standard clasic mech/bio/return, or something like a refugium or algea sheet combo? I built mine with the idea of using a classic style sump. However, when I found my flow rates were lower than anticipated I rethought my design and made a plant filter...
I didn't mean to sound needy. It's just nice to talk to people and get feed back from time to time.
In response to your question: My intentions as of now are to use my sump in the standard Mechanical/bio filtration method. I've stolen this lovely picture from Jcardona. It helped me out a lot.
Using a filter sock on the inlet side of the sump. Finer micron for start up and to clarify the water when needed but something less aggressive for normal use to keep it from plugging up as often. The main Bio chamber will be a drip tray system over pot scrubbies most likely as they offer a large surface area at a low initial and maintenance cost.
The water will be returned to the tank by a pump of some variety. Haven't decided on the volume I'm going to need as of this point. I'm thinking something in the 1500 GpH range. That would turnover my tank about 5 times at full capacity. But since it will have about 4-5 feet of head it will probably be a bit lower.
I'm going to use reinforced vinyl tubing for as many lines as possible as it is flexible and should help reduce any falling water noise. I'd rather not have an aquarium that sounds like a flushing toilet all the time.
For water pickup to the sump. I'm Thinking of taking a piece of acrylic and blocking off one of the back corners at 45* angle. Drilling my overflow tube near the base of the tank and cutting it to length to set my water level. Simple way of doing it. Feathering the top of the acrylic board to let water in and keep fish out.
For water return, I'm going to use spray bar design at the opposite end of the tank from the overflow box. It will me most of the length of the tank from front to back with large enough orifices to reduce the water pressure going into the tank. I'm trying to achieve a gentle flow and not raging river currents or sounds.
I'm also playing with the Idea of drilling an additional bulk head in at water change level so I can hook a hose to the back of the tank on the fitting and open the valve so it will drain to the preset level. I could also use it to fill the tank back up but would require supervision. My intention was to buy a cheap garden hose and cut one end off and put on a replacement female end. So the hose would have two female ends. Run it to the train until done. Then take it to my water source and fill it back up again. Close the valve and roll up the hose. No fuss, no mess, no sucking on clear tubing for 80 bucketfuls of water.
I hope that explains everything. I wrote that out mostly to help solidify the idea in my mind. I've been tossing around ideas so this gave me the chance to decide on what I want to do.
Does anyone see anything I'm missing?
And again thank you for the comments. They are appreciated but not REQUIRED. lo.
