Twin stacked sump set up, what you think?

[waynes world]

Hi folks, i am going to build a 500gish tank and i am limited with filter space for it so i hav ecome up with this sump idea, firstly sorry about the diagram if you can call it that LOL, not much good with the PC.

Heres the pic and below is how it works.

Wahey the pic down loaeded

Now the inlet is top left ( top sump) direct from the tank at the same water level, goes like most sumps up and down, it gets to the end chamber where there is two 2 inch pipes running down to the lower sump and through again the end chamber on the left wich there is a 3500g external pump to return to the tank, the pipe just below with the green arrow is an overflow for power cut outs etc.

Now the dotted line is egg crate or similar to give a settlement chamber in each chamber, with these you will see just below in each corner green dots, these are where taps will be fitted which where the chamber can be flushed clean of much etc.

Each tank will be around 50g each or 4x1.5x1.5, i plan to build them as one unit with 1 foot inbetween them and from ply and grp lined, the front will be glass so i can see the condition of the media.

So in all its a 100g twin sump setup for a 500g ish tank with a turnover of x7 with a 3500g external pump.


Any Q`s welcome and suggestions.


wayne

 

[ar0wan]

feels a little overly complicated
not that there's anything wrong with that

I'd drop it to a single level
remove some baffeling
and fill with media

KISS method

 

[knifegill]

Actually, I find it to be very simple and massive at the same time. As for mechanical and biological chamber distribution, I'd modify the first two chambers on top to be more filter-sock friendly. It's hard to beat a good filter sock.

 

[waynes world]

Its as simple as a sump can get just that theres 2 of them, as said i am doing this as all the space i have is for one 4 foot sump but full head room as its going along side the tank not underneath.

I still have to fully decide the baffle layout but this is the main setup idea, there will be two 2 inch inlets so i can put socks on them then or i was thinking as i have on the sump i have now and use filter floss and plenty of it, i believe socks clog up quiker?

 

[knifegill]

Yes, they clog faster because they filter better. But the bigger the sock is the longer it takes to clog. Filter floss works pretty well, too, it's just less controlled. You get random densities in the fluffiness of it all and your water can end up getting through it without really being filtered as finely as you think it is. That said, I've used filter floss in a sump and it worked out just fine. I just like the strategic notion of guaranteeing that every drop has to get through the sock before it touches the bio.

 

[Burko]

I like it.

It is a bit busier than others but theres no reason it wouldn't work, as long as you can access all areas...

If it was mine the bottom one would be a refugium.

 

[waynes world]

I like it.

It is a bit busier than others but theres no reason it wouldn't work, as long as you can access all areas...

If it was mine the bottom one would be a refugium.

Only looks busy as there are 8 chambers ( can easily be changed during this design stage) and a settle chamber for each, plus the best bit is the easy clean taps, when the muck builds up open a tap, and when the media needs cleaning just give it a good shake/stir and open tap to wash the chamber out, easyer than removing the media.

What is a refugium mate?


So does anyone think it will not cope with he flow?

 

[ar0wan]

...If it was mine the bottom one would be a refugium.

For sure if this is marine!

 

[waynes world]

Its going to be for rays and aro`s etc. The reason for the flow, i would prefer more but its a pond pump i have spare. And i think it would be pushing it a bit for a sump setup this size to cope with a bigger flow.

 

[yodaLBC]

It should work,,, best of luck to ya!