Question regarding sump size

Hi Guys

I have a 600 liter tank and i am looking to either build or buy a sump. I was wondering how many liters should the sump be for a 600 liter tank?

Regards

 

bigger is better
I use 25% on my large tanks and works great for me
try find cheap second hand 4 foot would work great and give you tones of space

 

Hi Jaques
Maybe a good read is http://www.tropicalaquarium.co.za/showthread.php?6105-Filtration-rates-flow-and-other-questions
My opinion - more is better.....
Regards.

 

Hi Jacques, I agree with what has been said, the bigger the better. Your restriction would be the space you have available under your tank

 

Hi Guys

Thank you for the opinions I was thinking of a 3 foot but now I am not to sure

 

25% your tank size

 

3 ft is big enough with the correct media, lay-out and circulation.

 

Gonna disagree on you there...
I had a 750L & a 3ft was not enough

 

Maybe a different approach to the question ...

Do you have a total water volume that you are aiming for, lets say 1000l, then you will need another 400l form the sump. Now depending on the layout of the sump the affective volume might drop by say 60% ( think baffles and compartments with overflows). Why consider the total volume - well if you are a believer in x number total tank volume being circulated per hour that will influence your pump size needed also.

Why not start with what your sump design is going to be .. then you can scale that to get to the other goals.

Later Ferdie

 

Hi guys thank you.

I found a 250 Liter 4 FT tank that will be converted onto a Sump. now I have read a lot regarding sumps so just have to design it to the best of my knowledge and ability. I am looking at 4 chambers. 1st chamber will be mechanical filer media. 2nd will be Biological with air stones under the media to ensure high oxygen for the bacteria to grow. Will use Lava Rock. 3rd chamber i was thinking of some plants to get the PH to around 6.5-7 as i would like to house discus and some angels. and ofc the last chamber will be the heaters and return pumps.

Please give me some input regarding this design.

Regards.

 

most important thing with sump is to remeber to have overflow space left over normally 40% so if return pump stops working you do not flood your house,

 

And don't forget to drill 2x 5mm holes right below the water line on the return pipe to enable to stop the syphon when power fails...

 

ahh thanks for the info guys that read regarding filtration was a good read so much information in those 24 pages.

 

@Jacques.Andre - search for Prof Dirk sump design on here. I have followed his design and it works perfectly for me. Others might disagree, but it is a very good formula and really works well !
Another comment is this - everyone talks about the volume of water - but MORE critical is to have enough filter media in the sump - and in fact I would almost say that if you are supposed to have for example 2 litres of media - you can double it - I would put in as much as will fit in your sump - more than recommended on the packaging. You can never overdo the amt of media.