55g sump design - need your comments

[morfeus077]

Thanks for the replies! Foam at the end is just for a last catch and will be coarse. The pad in the second stage will do the polishing. The UV will be enclosed. I hope it works, cause it's already built! At least the glass is in... need to build media separation now.

Guess I'll have to post pics soon...

 

[nfored]

I like it, I had one question, how many gallons of water do you think will be in the tank when its running, compared to when its off.

What I mean is this, you have a 120 gallon, lets say when its turned off about 10 gallons drain into the sump. So that means that when the system is running that same 10 gallons is removed from the sump. This will be removed from only the compartment with the pump in it since the other compartments volume is pretty much static.

So then you would only have 16 gallons of water in the pump compartment while its running. now depending on how long the pump compartment is, that might mean a low water level. If thats ever a problem you can just remove the bio balls and use only the matrix giving you a little more room for water. I know the water in the bio ball chamber is accessible to the pump but those bio balls take up a lot of space. 5 gallons of bio balls is enough for about 350 gallons of water, and I am being generous. 2 litters of matrix is enough for 100 - 200 gallons of water. You could use 4 litters of of matrix for 200 - 400 gallons of water.

You can buy a 4 litter tub of matrix for $22 - $29.

Thats just my 2 cents.

 

[morfeus077]

10 gallons is removed from the sump. This will be removed from only the compartment with the pump in it since the other compartments volume is pretty much static.

The water level in the sump after the matrix chamber will always equalize until there's about 4" left. Only the first 2 chambers will have a static water level.

My "planned" operating level for the sump is about 26 gal, possibly more. If the amount of water drained after the power is cut, is less than 10 gal, than I believe that I'm safe and I may run the max operating level a little higher. I will have to get it up and running first to see.

5 gal of bio balls should not take up more than about 3.5 gal of volume. I'm using what I have, so if I have a sump that will support 400+ gal, I'm cool with that! I do plan to overstock.

In the end, I will probably have 110 gallons in the system after everything is in and operating.

 

[nfored]

Cool, also I did state that I knew the water in the bio ball chamber was accessible to the sump.

I think its a great looking design I am looking forward to seeing it up and running.

The problem with the pump I was speaking of is typically only with a really strong pump and high level of water rise in the tank. I had a pump that was pushing about 3500GPH, It was housed in two rubber maid containers hooked together. One was a 55gallon and the other was a 30 gallon, when I turn that bad boy one the water level dropped about 5 - 7 inches. The pump was so strong that IT would suck air in if the water was not at least 5 or so inches above the bottom of the 90 elbow.

I found later that If I increased the speed that it could drain to the point where the water would only raise about half and inch above the drain.

 

[morfeus077]

ah... I follow... the plan is that the operating water level be at 9" or better. I have 2 pumps that will be pushing a combined 1400+ gph at 4'. I'll be prepared to do what ever is necessary once I see how it's operating.

Thanks again!

 

[Conner]

Thanks for the comments folks... here's the revised plan. applying silicone in a 2" column was not going to work. Keep the comments coming!

As for applying silicone in tight places, you could try getting flexible tubing large enough to fit over the tip of the silicone caulk tube, and then you can apply it in as tight a place as you want to. But the second design does look easier/simpler to build and operate.

 

[Capsaicin]

Where is the best place to get glass dividers? I need like 3 pieces for my sump.

 

[morfeus077]

Where is the best place to get glass dividers? I need like 3 pieces for my sump.

Local glass shop!

Plumbing installed, filled and tested. It runs great, granted with no media... This weekend I'll finish the sump and get some pics uploaded. I went with the 2nd design and only had an issue with getting to 1 side on 2 pieces of glass. Not a problem though because pressure equalizes rapidly.

When power is cut, there is only a 2" change in water level - which equates to 5 gal. Can't wait to finish and populate the tank. Bio is being seeded in the tank where the fish currently are housed.

More to come, thanks again for the help!