Help with sump set-up
- Thread starter GoldFinger
- Start date
Hey sorry guys a bit of a delay on everything. My tank is curing and I'm way behind on the sump as work got crazy on me. I'm ordering the glass panels for the baffles today however. For the first chamber it was suggested that I raise the baffle 1.5" off the base so the water flows into the media. Is it ok if I just raise the baffle like that and not drill holes or slots along the bottom?
Also I decided to go with current USA eflux 6010 (1900GPH) return pumps. They will work as an integrated system with my lights and wave/circ pumps in the tank. Where I am I get good service and pricing on them if anything goes wrong. Running two of these should be fine in achieving 2600GPH turnover.
Another thing I should mention is that the ghost overflow can only accommodate 1.5" drains and not 2" like was suggested on here. I'm hoping they will be ok (aquarium guys say it will) and worst case I will have to dial back the pumps and turnover rate.
Any thoughts guys? Will have better updates and finally pictures soon! Thanks
Yup, you can just raise the baffles off the bottom. I like to use light diffuser (egg crate) for the baffle to sit on. Makes it easier to silicone the glass in place, plus if you ever want to add anything to the first chamber it creates a barrier. 1.5 overflows should be fine, two of them can handle quite a bit of water. Looking forward to seeing your set up come together!
Goldfinger, remind me how many full siphon 1.5" you plan to have? Just curious as you stated looking to achieve 2600GPH. I had assumed you'll have the one ghost overflow with the BA set-up (but I may have missed something). Looking forward to the pixs too.
I'm going to try the herbie method first and if all goes well I'll stay with that. I plan on having two 1.5" drains and an extra 1.5" emergency drain. I'm hoping that will be enough for 2600GPH
I run about 1600gph with my two 1.5" drains and to keep them in siphon I keep the ball valves almost half closed. Since I used ball valves, and they reduce the internal dimension to lunch less than the normal pipe size internal dimension, I think you will be ok. I just recommend you use a 1.5" gate valve on each drain instead of a ball valve so that you don't have that internal reduction. Or, you can use an adapter to install a 2" ball valve on your 1.5" drain line. Both will allow for more flow than a standard 1.5" drain.
I worst comes to worse and you can't get 2600gph to run through them, then you can always dial back the pumps and run a little bit lower flow. I'm sure your setup will be fine with a flow lower than 2600gph if it needs to.
I would re think this. In the event of an accident i would want to make sure my edrains can handle all of the flow amd then some. 1.5 gravity fed e drain will never be able to keep up with your siphons.
What could happen? The odds have to be crazy for both of my primary drains to fail no? I know it's best to go worst case and I will ask about 2" again but they said the ghost overflow usually maxes out with 1.5" bulkheads.
Also the aquarium and the sump won't technically be full to capacity which should bring the GPH down. I based my calculations on my 120G sump + 305G tank = 425G but it will be less given the sump is likely to be 3/4 full and tank 2" or so from the top.
If I have the room I'll just add a second emergency drain giving me four 1.5" drains
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