Sump size and setup

[always4lora]

Hi' Guy's

I am currently in the final planning stages of building a 72"x30"x30" and i am currently looking into the filteration side of it, now what i was thinking of was having a hole in the side or back of my tank for an overflow which go's into the sump through the sump and pumped back into the tank by a 5500lph pump (might get another pump to run along side this or use an addtional external filter when the stocking gets heavier).
Now for the questions:

* How big does the sump need to be? Would something like a 36x15x15 do for size? or will bigger be needed?
* i am planing on having 3 media compartments and one compartment for the pump and heaters would this work or do i need more media compartments?

* How big of a hole will i need in the tank for the water to overflow? 50mm ok?
* will i need power heads inside the tank to keep the water from kinda becoming stagnant at the bottom levels of the tank?



Hope you guy's can help Also if theres anything i;ve missed out let me know


Cheers!

 

[always4lora]

bump!

 

[rdx1555]

Rule of thumb is at least 25% tank size for sumps to cover drainage in the event of a power/pump failure and bigger is always better (means more water volume and media space).

Look at some pictures of sumps and decide what works best for you. Consider accessibility for maintenance and space for media or equipment.

Select the appropriate overflow kit from here http://www.glass-holes.com/ and make sure it has more than enough flow to match your pumps gph at the given head pressure.

Two pumps is better than one and at the size you posted two will give you over 10x turnover which is generally the goal.

Power heads will help keep the tank clean by agitating detritus that settles on the bottom so the overflow can pick up that waste.

Nice dimensions on that tank btw. I would like to get my hands on a 6x3x2 or 8x3x2 someday.

 

[always4lora]

Rule of thumb is at least 25% tank size for sumps to cover drainage in the event of a power/pump failure and bigger is always better (means more water volume and media space).

Look at some pictures of sumps and decide what works best for you. Consider accessibility for maintenance and space for media or equipment.

Select the appropriate overflow kit from here http://www.glass-holes.com/ and make sure it has more than enough flow to match your pumps gph at the given head pressure.

Two pumps is better than one and at the size you posted two will give you over 10x turnover which is generally the goal.

Power heads will help keep the tank clean by agitating detritus that settles on the bottom so the overflow can pick up that waste.

Nice dimensions on that tank btw. I would like to get my hands on a 6x3x2 or 8x3x2 someday.

Hi' I'll work out what 25% of the volume is and go with that , i ahve an idea of how the sump will look. I'm in the UK so those overflow kits will be no good, i am going to try working out how big to do the hole then have a pipe going down into the sump, i'll pop a grid over the hole to stop anything accidently going down!

I'll also get a powerhead

Thanks

 

[spwd]

Whereabouts are you as ive got a 48x18x18 sump that im selling as i want a bigger one for my new tank,also you dont just want a hole in the bottom of the tank as that would empty the whole tank if your pump stopped,you want a weir and strainer at the top of your water level so if your pump stops the water will only flow out to that level and which your sump should be able to hold.
im sure someone will be along soon to explain a bit better than me.

steve

 

[always4lora]

Whereabouts are you as ive got a 48x18x18 sump that im selling as i want a bigger one for my new tank,also you dont just want a hole in the bottom of the tank as that would empty the whole tank if your pump stopped,you want a weir and strainer at the top of your water level so if your pump stops the water will only flow out to that level and which your sump should be able to hold.
im sure someone will be along soon to explain a bit better than me.

steve

I'm up in cumbria, i've got a 40g tank that i can use and also have enough thin acrylic to make one a bit larger
Yeh i was going to go an put a whole an inch or two from the top, pop a strainer on it and have it going down to the sump. Like you said when the water go's below the whole it wont let any more out. Least i can't flood the place

 

[spwd]

Have a look on this section there are loads of threads about designs of sumps.
good luck

steve