Advice needed (sump)

[pingopongo]

Try again. Need to build a sump out of a 180 gallon tank by the week-end. Using equipment that I have on hand except glass for baffles. the mars filter is a pull from a cracked tank and has an overflow built into it. this will determine the height of my waterline. Need to know how much space I can get away with for the middle section and still have a safe amount of water for the sump area. Don't want to have to fill up this section too high as I will have 4 large tanks draining into it. 880 gallons. Can i use plants in the middle section even with flow and air going into it. Thank you for any constructive input.

 

[pingopongo]

Anybody
Would it be better to put the refuge on the left?

 

[pingopongo]

thanks

 

[redtailshark1]

i am confused could you explain your design and yes you could put plants in the middle, some people even put bamboo

 

[KaiserSousay]

That has got to be the most complex/busy design I have seen.
Your sump could substitute as a dialysis machine, should your kidneys go bad.
I think you will regret how “busy” it is the first time you have to service it.
I can`t really see what, if any benefit you are getting from the filter socks, where they are placed. I would loose the strainers and put the socks in their place.
The refuge mounted filter thingy that is fed by your recirculation pump has me scratching my head as well.
Congrats on trying for the Ubber Sump, but if I was you, I would simple it down.
$0.02

 

[dawnmarie]

It does look a little busy.

Are the filter socks/strainers your only mechanical filtration for 880 gallons ?

I am also puzzled by the recirculation system. What is it's purpose ?

 

[chemicall]

I am also puzzled by the recirculation system. What is it's purpose ?

I've done the same thing - it makes for longer contact time with the biological filtration before the water is pumped back to the tanks. Also gives ya the chance to polish that water even better.

 

[jsodwi]

Does #17 say deer ****? I would put the filter socks where the strainers are too. It will be easier to clean instead of having all the debris fall into that chamber and clog it up. I think you need more bio material too for 880g. The middle chamber looks fine. Maybe dump that recirculating pump over some fine mechanical media to polish the water.