Please critique my sump!!

D

DeanneL

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Here is the sump I am planning for my 55 gallon RR tub.

My stand is approximately 36x18x31 (still waiting for it to come in before I buy anything). I'm planning for the plumbing to split into a T so that water flows into both the input/skimmer area and the refugium. As you can see, it looks a lot like Marc's Model E but this sump is 2 inches taller. I wanted to utilize that extra space (if possible) by bringing everything up 2 inches.

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/deannelarue/detail?.dir=4e4a&.dnm=d5eb.jpg&.src=ph

Here are the areas I'm foggy on:

1. How much volume of water will this sump hold?
2. I got the footprint of the Urchin Pro as 8"x3.25" from a website that sells them but I'm concerned about the Mag pump that comes with the skimmer. Does my plan not account for the skimmer's pump footprint?
3. I won't have "teeth" at the top of the refugium baffle. I thought I read something about possibly attaching egg crate there to keep snails in. Should I make the refugium baffle 13" and attach the egg crate vertically above the baffle? Just silicone it in?
4. Where would be the best place to put two 100 watt heaters?

Thanks for all your help!

Deanne
 
To figure liquid volume, use this formula, in inches: L x W x H divided by 231 = total gallons.

You can measure each section, and determine what they will hold.

You are correct about the footprint of the Urchin is just the skimmer without the pump, and you need room for that pump. Those dimensions are listed on this page: http://www.marinedepot.com/a_ph_danner.asp?CartId=

Eggcrate will work just fine, and if you cut it so it is snug, you can remove it for cleaning from time to time. It can be siliconed in place if you prefer.

The heaters may fit in the overflow of the tank, or in the refugium perhaps.
 
Thanks for the volume calculations.

So, it looks like I need to adjust for the skimmer pump which is 5.0 x 3.8 x 4.2. If I add to the size of the input area, I've got to take away from somewhere else. I read that I should keep my return area as large as possible because of evaporation. If I leave the return area as is and decrease the refugium by 5", that will make it 8"x12x14". How small is too small for a refugium?

Does the picture of my drawing show up when you click on the link or is it too hard to see?

Deanne
 
I was able to see the drawing.


Your refugium would be 5.8g, which is still a decent size. Based on the size of the sump, I'm guessing your display isn't that large. Would this be going under a 55g tank?
 
Based on the size of the sump said:
Yes, my display tank is 55 gallon (36 inch length). I have more width than a standard size 55 gallon but was thinking it would be easiest to buy a ready-made 29 gallon tank for my sump.

Did you see the 3" PVC pipe I had on there filled with live rock rubble? Based on the height of my sump, how tall should this pipe be? Will I need to be able to occasionally pull that out of there to clean "gunk" off?

Deanne
Click to expand...
 
Since it is a 55g, the 5g refugium is perfect, as that is 10% of the system volume. I personally like 10% - not that there is some rule or guideline, it is simply the number I aim for.

The PVC bubble tower should be tall enough to hold the rock and drain pipe. If you drill holes along the base, water will travel out the holes, and if the pipe is tall enough, it will contain salt spray/creep nicely. However, if you want the bubble tower to overflow instead, I'd only make it 1" taller than the baffle of that compartment, so the drop is only 1" as it overflows.

Removing it for cleaning will be one of those less than enjoyable tasks, especially as you try to keep the rock from falling out of the base when removing it.
 
If you get the Urchin with the maxi jet, the tube is long enough for it to side beside the Urchin and not in front. It's about the same size width wise as well. I just saw my friend's new Urchin, we're helping her with her sump.
-Catherine
 
Yes, I think once I have the skimmer, the size I need for the input area will be much clearer. I can figure out how to place them.

Question about the skimmer: I've noticed one of the options when purchasing says "AquaC Urchin Pro In-Sump w/ Drain Fitting". Do I need this "drain fitting"? What is that for?

Deanne
 
That is so you don't have to remove the cup for cleaning as often. You place a bottle or jug nearby, and connect some tubing to the drain outlet, and as the cup overflows that height in the cup, it drains into the jug.

I'm sure some would like that, but the urchin needs the collection cup and neck cleaned every three days, so I don't see the point personally.

You could buy it that way, and never use it but still have the option if you ever did need to use it.
 
Now I'm questioning my choice of skimmers. In reviewing past threads at RC, the AquaC Remora/Urchin gets a bit of a bashing. One particular thread had me considering:

If I went with a bigger skimmer, like the ASM, it would use up a lot of space in my sump. What if I divided my sump in half, one side for input, one side for return and then added a HOB refugium? Could I hang the refugium on the back of the sump? What would be the disadvantages (if any) of doing this rather than my original plan?

Also, if I decide to go with Aqua C Urchin, I should get the Pro, right? With a 55 gallon tank and a 15ish gallon sump, I'm right on the borderline between Urchin and Urchin Pro.
 
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