Kl sump build, with pic, quistion on air, and media

[heffesuita]

Hello so here is a sump on have been working on designing and building for a month or so now. I took ideas from many different builds across the web to come up with and idea that works for me. Is made out of a 40 gallon bredder. Acrylic dividers are 1/4 cell cast, I'm posting pics of table saw blade I used to cut, drill bit used for holes, and router bit used. it will hose aprox 35 liters of k1. middle k1 chamber is 18 wided 11.5 high water height and 18 wide. 60 percent of that will be k1 the chamber is 15 high that water line holes are 11.5 high. Each end chamber is 6 inches wide, 4 inches high each one has a 2 part shelf to go on top, the shelfs them selfs have not been drilled yet I'm not sure what I want to do with them yet, all depends on media of choice. here are some pics of it all

 

[heffesuita]

the tools I used for the acrylic, I actualy used a 1/4" bit to drill the holes in the divider not the 7/16th pictured the 1/8 is the same brand and bit.

 

[heffesuita]

I did not want filter socks I just don't like them so I went with this design. I was going to put so large cut sponges in the first chamber with filter floss on top. I am looking for your guys ideas on what to use in the filter chamber as a pre filter and what to use in the chamber after the k1 for mechanical media. as of now the chamber after k1 will have just 2 250w jager heaters in it. I was not sure what I wanted to use yet. I built the pre chamber and after k1 chamber based on being big enough to get my hands and arms in for cleaning if need be. and the 2 square holed in the plate the drip drays go on for the same purpose big enough for my hand and strong enough to hold what ever goes on top.

 

[heffesuita]

Next quistions I have for you guys in air pump related. I am planning on building the air line for the k1 chamber out of pvc straight for the air pump. it seem that a 1/2 pvc threaded pipe fits perfect on the end of the rubber hose that goes into the air pump so I will be using 1/2 pvc pipe to do so. I fully understand how to do that. My quistions are what size holes, and how many in the pvc for it to work propery. I can seem to find that info I am looking for on any one who has done this. I have seen some pics and a couple vids of people doing this nothing has been explained thow thanks for any help on this one. this air pump is 2900 cubic inch per minute which converts to 47.5 lpm

 

[heffesuita]

and then the last question is this going to be strong enough as it is. or do I need to put the top brace back on it, or brace it another way. I broke the brace getting it off to assemble this was assemble with E6000 not silicone.

 

[heffesuita]

here is the actual cut sizes of the pieces or acrylic I used. for an aquan 40 gallon breeder if any one cared to do this the same way

 

[heffesuita]

Idea's on if this will work or not, how to make it better, hole size for the pipes in water, how many holes, I just turn the pump on and let it come out of the bleeder valve only and does not seem like a lot of pressure at all? I know some of you have had this same idea and have made it work

 

[heffesuita]

so I deceided to go a different route. I drilled holes in the pvc tubes and it worked awfull so I ordered these air stones. http://www.underwaterwarehouse.com/Air-Diffusers/EasyPro-Rubber-Air-Diffusers-p-65.html the 12" long ones with 1/2 barb outlet. and will be using this as well http://www.underwaterwarehouse.com/Air-Check-Valves/Check-Valve-34-in-FPT-p-1517.html realy not sure why it says 3/4 fpt on there site. both ends have female 3/4 npt threads I will be using 3/4 npt to 1/2 barb to 1/2 id tubing. should work perfect any thoughts on what to use in this filter for pre filter in the first chamber and mechanical in the 3rd chamber the second chamber is full of K1. I have my own ideas on what I want to do curious of what you guys would run it it thanks.

 

[heffesuita]

update of filter filled for a water tight test, and air movement text on the new airators and how I have them set up. has been filled for 3 days no leaks of any kind, the airators did require what I would call a break in period. they ran very slow with minimal air movement through them after a day of being turned on they came into it pushing some serious air bubbles out of them, they are still continueing to break in more and work better, they start with a few bubbles from one spot, then turn into a small air stream until they are flowing out realy good. still looking for your thoughts, and opinions now responces so far. as well as media ideas for the first and third chamber I was going to use different sponges in the first chamber with filter floss on top but I don't want any thing that will hold beneficial bacteria and sponges will, thoughts? ideas? would greatly be appreciated.

 

[heffesuita]

update I purchased a new plastic rim for this tank at http://www.aquariumframeswholesale.com/frames figured I would share. I contacted aquan directly and they told me they do not sell just the frames and could not find any any were on the web. I happened to find this company from a thread I was reading on a random salt water forum I was reading some tank build threads and came across it very happy I did. I am happy to have the rim back for one so I can put a proper lid on it, then structural is great to have it back, and I diddnt realy want it with a brace in the middle but that's they way they came. is very thick and better then the original brace that it came with. I put it on with what was left of my tube of E6000 from putting in the baffles.