DIY Custom Sump

[Seano Hermano]

I plan to build a custom sump for my 75g reef. I will allow for 30" x 18" space, it can take up.

-GSM G3 Skimmer (12" x 12")
-Eheim 1262 Return Pump (8.6" x 4.6" x 6.3")
-Phosban reactors - GFO & Calcium (4" x 4.5")
-DSB fuge with normal LR/macro algae

I drew it up & saw I had some wasted space as I had multiple bubble traps, which is unneeded. So I guess what I am wondering is how can I make better use of space in the sump?

[Seano Hermano]

I've figured it out already & I have redesigned the sump a bit.

[Midwest Express]

There you go, the bigger the fuge the better you will be... so I think.  I am gonna be working on the design on my new sump.  I have already put it off for a couple weeks now, but I gotta get one it! 

What cad app did you use to draw up your design plan?  Looks good!

[HUNGER]

looks good should work well

[Seano Hermano]

There you go, the bigger the fuge the better you will be... so I think.  I am gonna be working on the design on my new sump.  I have already put it off for a couple weeks now, but I gotta get one it!  

What cad app did you use to draw up your design plan?  Looks good!

That was my thinking..

Thanks. I Used Google Sketchup. It's free & quite easy to get the hang of. I've had it for about 2.5 yrs now.

http://sketchup.google.com/

I would know about putting things off. I've been planning my tank(the whole set up) for almost the past 6 months. I keep changing my ideas.

[HUNGER]

I would know about putting things off. I've been planning my tank(the whole set up) for almost the past 6 months. I keep changing my ideas.

well u never get any where if u keep doing that  lol 

[Seano Hermano]

I think I've settled. But I don't know if I like that brace being in-front of my QT(like I showed in my build thread)..(Or did I?). lol

I would like to start the stand ASAP.

Also looking into getting a controller. I like the AquaController Jr.,which can be had for $175 for the base unit, $225, including accessories.

[HUNGER]

Also looking into getting a controller. I like the AquaController Jr.,which can be had for $175 for the base unit, $225, including accessories.

ya i was looken at them but the only down side to a hole tank controller is when or if it goes down so does the whole tank

[Seano Hermano]

Not the case with the aqua controller. It's got a battery back-up.

http://www.neptunesys.com/~clp/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=10&Itemid=40

Battery Backup - "Even in the event of a power failure the AquaController's clock maintains the correct time. Since all of the controller's configuration settings are stored in nonvoltile memory, no reprogramming/reconfiguration is necessary following a power failure."

[HUNGER]

o ok so it will kick every thing back on when the power comes back on

but what i was talking about if the controler goes out like brakes

[Seano Hermano]

hmmm. I think I'll look into a possible solution to that..

[TechGuy]

Personally, if it were my setup? I would concentrate on several things...

Return pump baffle, how long will you be away? Do you have a reliable ATO? Thats the size you need.

Inlet side, can be tiny. Big enough for a skimmer pump (if needed), reactor pumps (again, if needed). Thats all it needs to be.

The skimmer section? Eliminate it. It can sit on the sand, or if need be, a section that fits just its foot print.

Refugium is whats left over. The bigger the better.

In my opinion, the easiest, simplest solution, is going to be the most reliable.

[Wall_Tank]

o ok so it will kick every thing back on when the power comes back on

but what i was talking about if the controler goes out like brakes

Sure anything can fail.  I've been using a neptune controller for 6 years or so.  Aquacontroller 2, Aquacontroller 3, and now the Apex.  The only problem I've had is a relay stick on an outlet.   In my mind the benefits far out weigh the risk.   High temp shutdown, alarms, CO2 and lighting control are the biggest benefits. 

[Seano Hermano]

I fully agree. While I have never had a controller it seems like a very good investment. I also see that Apex has some extra settings that other controllers don't offer. Such as, moon lighting set with the phases of the real moon, battery back-up, & daylight lighting set with day light savings time & the movement of the sun, according to the set time/date.

[Seano Hermano]

o ok so it will kick every thing back on when the power comes back on

but what i was talking about if the controler goes out like brakes

Seriously, anything will fail, as mentioned above.

Even a battery back-up that powers the outlet & equipment for a while, when the power is out. Even a generator...will only last so long.

In the case of a power outage, I would recommend turning everything off. Just run a few powerheads, maybe lights if you have enough power from a generator. To save what little power one may have, only have powerheads on for so long. Turn them on in intervals..1 hr on, 30min off.

[Seano Hermano]

Personally, if it were my setup? I would concentrate on several things...

1)Return pump baffle, how long will you be away? Do you have a reliable ATO? Thats the size you need.

2)Inlet side, can be tiny. Big enough for a skimmer pump (if needed), reactor pumps (again, if needed). Thats all it needs to be.

3)The skimmer section? Eliminate it. It can sit on the sand, or if need be, a section that fits just its foot print.

Refugium is whats left over. The bigger the better.

In my opinion, the easiest, simplest solution, is going to be the most reliable.

1)What about the return pump baffle?
2)The inlet(skimmer) side is just big enough for the skimmer. the skimmer's supposed footprint is 11.5" x 12". The skimmer section for it will be just 1" bigger than the footprint. I did not bother to take the time to draw the pump on the skimmer, which is why you see an empty spot in the rendering.
3)...as mentioned above.

I plan for an ATO from a 5g bucket...maybe from a 30g brute. I've looked into several differnt options/brand but have not yet come to a decision.

[TechGuy]

1)What about the return pump baffle?
2)The inlet(skimmer) side is just big enough for the skimmer. the skimmer's supposed footprint is 11.5" x 12". The skimmer section for it will be just 1" bigger than the footprint. I did not bother to take the time to draw the pump on the skimmer, which is why you see an empty spot in the rendering.
3)...as mentioned above.

I plan for an ATO from a 5g bucket...maybe from a 30g brute. I've looked into several differnt options/brand but have not yet come to a decision.

1.) What about it? How big do you need it is what I was getting at. How much will you lose daily? Do you vacation? Etc...

2.) So the skimmer baffles will be just large enough to contain the skimmer? Not completely section it off? You want to return well away from where you pull your water. So it should return to a completely separate baffle/section.

Just what I have learned from experience. These complicated setups look good, and its fun to build. But is it as functional as possible? My Current setup has no baffles after much trial and error. 

[HUNGER]

tech has a great point  if u have to complicated it can become a pain

[Midwest Express]

That was my thinking..

Thanks. I Used Google Sketchup. It's free & quite easy to get the hang of. I've had it for about 2.5 yrs now.

http://sketchup.google.com/

I would know about putting things off. I've been planning my tank(the whole set up) for almost the past 6 months. I keep changing my ideas.

Nice, I had just installed that on my laptop last week.  I didn't think it would do such nice cad work for a freebie app.  Glad to see it is something that can do a good and clean job!

[Seano Hermano]

Nice, I had just installed that on my laptop last week.  I didn't think it would do such nice cad work for a freebie app.  Glad to see it is something that can do a good and clean job!

Yeah I thought it wasawesome when i first found it too. I'ts free, easy to use & almost as good as the real "CAD" program itself.

I've built thing[in Sketchup] as small as a pen & up to an entire 2 story house & also a 40+ thousand gallon aquarium room.

[Midwest Express]

Then why aren't you building the 40+ gal aquarium room instead of this little sump?! HAHA 

[Seano Hermano]

hahaha. I wish.