DIY Sump Specifics?

[daveydoodle]

If you're doing a DIY sump (I'm using a 40g breeder) how the inside is set up (distance and height of chambers) is generally a preference right? As long as I have a mechanical filteration, then through a biological filtration, maybe one more sponge filter, and then into a chamber to be pumped back into the main tank, that's okay right? The height of the chambers will esentially determine how many gallons per hour can be filtered (in adition to the pump volume GPH)?
Everyone says it's not that hard so I'm going to give it a try. I'll buy the Overflow box, and then build the sump and plumbing. I just wanted to ask about the sump.

 

[FSM]

The size of the chambers isn't going to affect flow. Set it up how you want, it isn't crucial.

 

[Toby_H]

The size of the chambers can have an effect on flow rate... but don't always...

With very dense material, for example a sand bed filter, you would want the maximum sized passage to reduce the required velocity for a given gph to move...

This same principal will hold true with sponges or other mechanical media that can become clogged causing restriction...

It is less critical with Bio Media as Bio Media generally has many paths 'around' the media with minimal resistance. Yet the point of Bio Media is to supply increased surface area so making these chambers larger also has an implied advantage.


But at the end of the day I suspect your overflow box will limit your flow rates, not your chamber sizes...

 

[daveydoodle]

So with regards to the overflow box, do you go with the highest GPH? Would 1200 GPH on an overflox box work well with the 40g sump tank? 1200 GPH seems to be the highest I can find (maybe 1600)

 

[dr_sudz]

I would some what disagree that chamber size doesn't change flow rates, if your pumping chamber is to small the amount of water needed to flow out can be restricted and potentially your pump could run quicker then the input of filtered water. As was stated it is not usually the case, but building out of glass is better then acrylic if you need to make a change. I have made a mistake building one before and so i am speaking out of experince lol.

 

[daveydoodle]

So would you divide the 40g in relative thirds? Maybe the biological media chamber and the pumping chamber somewhat larger? Also, the tank is glass, it's okay to use acrylic for the chamber dividers right?