DIY Sump and Filter Media

Hi All

Please can I have your input... I need some help or advice on a sump that I want to build for my tank. The tank will be between 550L and 600L. Will a 3ft tank be big enough? here is a picture of what I have in mind.

I have 2 choices... I can leave the Filter wool in the sump or I can Add it in the overflow in the main Tank? and then the extra compartment in the Sump I can use for charcoal or plants? or leave it empty for the heaters?

Secondly will a 25mm pipe be big enough? This I need to know before I drill the tank I was thinking about 25mm pipe with a 2000l\h to 3000l\h return pump and maybe control valves to control the flow on the intake or return flow?

Help will be much appreciated

 

i'm no expert but go for 40mm or 50mm pipe. you will get better flow.

 

hi check this out. hth
Pipe Sizing Charts and Flow Rates

 

Thanks for the reply... It makes sense to get a thicker pipe, You can always control your flow if it is to strong but you cant make it any stronger if the pipe is to small haha

Now to pick the right filter media... Anyone?

 

will the fine sand not trap your exit out of Chamber 4 causing to overflow ? (spose it depends how fine is fine)

Heaters i would keep in your first chamber as it should never run dry

Filterwool can get manky so would keep it in the sump as it would be easier to clean the chamber there than the overflow IMO

Just my 2 C and food for thought

 

Thanks for the info Relborg.... Yes I also think it will block the chamber if it is to fine.... was thinking about something little bigger than the gravel in the aquarium.....

From what I have read is that you should put your heaters in the second or third chamber to give the water enough time to heat? but that I will test when I have the sump....

One other question.... when something goes wrong and you are not close and you did proper planning your sump wont overflow and flood your house.... But what about the other way around? How do you stop your return filter from running dry and overheat? Lets say your tanks water level drops(evaporation) to a point where there isn't enough water to go to the sump? the return pump will pump all the water in the sump to the tank and eventually run dry?

Hope it makes sense

 

Heater - yea probably better for warmth in the third or second chamber - but ive lost way to many heaters to sumps running dry and they burst, so i rather set my heater a bit higher

Return chamber - allot of guys use an auto top up to make sure that doesnt happen, i am pressed for space and the boss doesnt want "buckets" lying around the lounge so i just get into a regime and ensure i fill up daily when i wake up in the am. I have pre defined markings on my sump as to whats the highest the water level can be before risking over flowing and where i think the lowest should be to keep my media wet

 

I agree... I will test and see if the heater will work in the first chamber otherwise I'll leave it in the main tank.... Its hidden behind the rock anyway

Yap auto top-up wont work for me as well.... I dot mind topping up every day, the problem is when I go away for 2 or 3 days..... :-( Ive seen on the over seas posts that there is something like a level controller with float switches? It might work if you connect it on your return pump but do you get something like that in SA? thats another question....

 

Yea see these threads examples of what they look like - few ppl have them already

http://www.tropicalaquarium.co.za/showthread.php?5738-Auto-top-up-system
http://www.tropicalaquarium.co.za/showthread.php?10772-Reeftek-Auto-Topup
http://saltaquarium.about.com/od/doserwatertopofdiy/ss/dondiytopoff.htm

I like this one

http://www.marineaquariumsa.com/showthread.php?t=6765

but either way eventually you will still need to add water

 

cul thanks...

Yes I dont mind topping up... its just to prevent the pump from overheating when I am away....