Pharaoh;4282982; said:
But if I raise the lower sump I will have less room for my algae scrubber. Since the screens can't be submerged it has to be above water level.
Gotta ask a stupid question; 2 different sumps
- Thread starter sashimimaster
- Start date
But if I raise the lower sump I will have less room for my algae scrubber. Since the screens can't be submerged it has to be above water level.
The only other option would be to have the intake for the algae scrubber higher than the intake for the sump. In the event of a power outage, this would force more water to go to the sump in lieu of the scrubber.
I would do it this way.
1. Hook up the sump and set the desired water level for the overflow and the sump.
2. Once the sump is running, setup the scrubber with the intake being higher. Any additional water put in the tank via the scrubber would then go into the overflow for the scrubber.
I would do it this way.
1. Hook up the sump and set the desired water level for the overflow and the sump.
2. Once the sump is running, setup the scrubber with the intake being higher. Any additional water put in the tank via the scrubber would then go into the overflow for the scrubber.
I have limited height since I'm trying to fit this under my tank. The max height is 29" and that has to accommodate pipes coming in and room to do maintenance. So I'm building a custom sump to fit under there. Since I need a minimum surface area for the scrubber I have to go high enough for area and the sump low enough to not be submerged.
Pharaoh;4283072; said:
I'd like to fix the intake height when I'm building the tank to minimize pipes inside the tank. So the holes will be drilled prior to filling.
Are you using bulkheads? If so, then you can just put the correct length of PVC and and elbow and vary the height until it is right. The holes can be the same height. You would just have to make an adjustment somewhere.
Pharaoh;4283228; said:
Yes but I have the pipes running up to a siphon break then down to the sumps. You can see it in my picture showing the pipes in my post (#8).
Your system will never reach equilibrium. One of the two sumps will slowly over flow. Even if the pumps are identical there will be some difference in flow due to water height. plus age, mfg tolerances. Even with flow restrictions you will not be able to balance the system carefully enough to prevent one of the sumps over flowing.
What you could do is put and overflow in the sump with the highest water level to the sump with the lower water level. Then put both pumps into the sump with the lower water level.
What you could do is put and overflow in the sump with the highest water level to the sump with the lower water level. Then put both pumps into the sump with the lower water level.
vladfloroff;4283263; said:
Now that's a good idea! I should have enough space in the lower sump for both pumps.
The sumps are both on over flows and seperate so there is no reason they will equalize, however as others have said one could over flow eventually cause it would be hard to adjust the over flows perfectly.
What i would do, both sumps have a return section right? This were water hieght fluctuates cause everything else has baffels and what not. So if you can connect the two returns with ppe or somehting so this part will equalize. That was no matter which sump gets more water they both pump from the same last chanmber basically.
You could actually have one pump if the flow between the two return sections was high enough. This is simular to reef guys that have the return section in the middle with a skimmer on one side and a refug on the other side. But have different flow but flow to the same return.
What i would do, both sumps have a return section right? This were water hieght fluctuates cause everything else has baffels and what not. So if you can connect the two returns with ppe or somehting so this part will equalize. That was no matter which sump gets more water they both pump from the same last chanmber basically.
You could actually have one pump if the flow between the two return sections was high enough. This is simular to reef guys that have the return section in the middle with a skimmer on one side and a refug on the other side. But have different flow but flow to the same return.
epond83;4283330; said:
I like the idea of having a back up in case one fails. Two is better than one
