Sump Questions

[Kustrud]

I've been reading and learning a lot about sumps. I clearly understand the upsides in terms of more water volume, really infinite flow control, massive amounts of bio-media, etc.

But what I am seeing as a downside is there any way around it? What I am referring to is the intake, or the overflow. This would mean that the intake to the filtration system is at the surface vs. one a few inches above the substrate like with a HOB or a canister. Even with waver-makers/power-heads how do you keep your substrate from getting dirty quickly when using a sump setup with no intake down towards the substrate?

 

[duanes]

The waters surface (air water interface) is the area where most noxious chemical species collect, not the substrate.
And pullling feces and other debris into a filter (unless that filter is frequently cleaned out), may be aesthetically appealing, but is akin to sweeping dirt under a rug,
because ihat dirtts still in the tank, whether you see it or not, and still lingering in the water column, and morphing into chronic toxins.
Sure the water clarity might look better.
But looks aren't everything.
When you see a puddle on the street, you often see an oil slick on its surface, and just like a puddle, the water surface in a tank collects chemical impurities.
You may not notice but they are there,
This is why many salt water aquarists use protein skimmers, that actually remove impurities directly from the system.
Surface skimming removes a host of impurities, but media needs to be cleaned frequently or that junk is still in the tank..
To me more important the sucking turds into a filter, it is more important to vacuum them out, and replace old water with new.

 

[Midwater]

You can have the intake at the surface or anywhere on the water column. But the water would have to rise to the level of the overflow before going down to the sump.

In my tanks, I have an overflow and an underflow.

 

[Kustrud]

You can have the intake at the surface or anywhere on the water column. But the water would have to rise to the level of the overflow before going down to the sump.

In my tanks, I have an overflow and an underflow.

View attachment 1542449

Ahhhh, I like that!

 

[jjohnwm]

My drain bulkheads are all right at the top of my tanks, but I use a Tee fitting on the inside of each one. One side of the Tee points downwards, and has a pipe attached that extends almost to the bottom and picks up most of the outflowing water from that level. The other side of the Tee points upwards and extends above the surface, preventing the formation of a siphon. Drill a hole in the Tee at the level of the water surface, and you then get a small amount of water skimmed right off the surface. Even a very small hole keeps the water surface spotless. It's the best of both worlds.

 

[duanes]

My drain bulkheads are all right at the top of my tanks, but I use a Tee fitting on the inside of each one. One side of the Tee points downwards, and has a pipe attached that extends almost to the bottom and picks up most of the outflowing water from that level. The other side of the Tee points upwards and extends above the surface, preventing the formation of a siphon. Drill a hole in the Tee at the level of the water surface, and you then get a small amount of water skimmed right off the surface. Even a very small hole keeps the water surface spotless. It's the best of both worlds.

I also useTee's, situated close to bulkheads, for surface skimming.