Sump/Fuge Questions

[Lorna]

Okay I have been thinking of doing this and would like some feedback or advice and I haven't been able to find much on this believe it or not. I want to make a sump/refuge for my 75g. I want to use a rubbermaid storage box about 15 to 20 g and inside the big one I want to put a smaller one that will be the fuge. I would drill or cut holes in the ends of the smaller one for water flow through the fuge. One end would contain the skimmer and inflow the other end would be the pump and heater etc. I would need to have an outside overflow as my tank is not drilled. I would try for a 600 gph overflow with a 1" drain. Is this sufficient? also I would have a return pump rated at 850gph with a ball valve on the return with a 1" return. Am I on the right track here or am I lunched?

 

[KahluaZzZ]

600 gph is powerful

 

[Lorna]

Too much? I think the return is too high as someone said it should be rated less than the overflow???????

 

[kevin4052002]

You must have the overflow rated at a higher GPH than the return pump, otherwise you will be emptying your sump into your tank, and, overflowing your tank onto the floor. Definitely, do not go past 600gph for a return pump. Change overflows for a higher rate if you want more flow.

However, if you do use the ball joint on the return, this will be easily overcome by closing the valve slightly. To put less stress on the pump, if it is adjustable, turn it down.


-Kevin

 

[Igor The Cat]

or have a spliter valve that will dump water back into the sump to limit the return GPH

cheers

-Java

 

[RockingCricket]

I think you're on the right track Lorna.

Here's a couple of links to some instructions for making your own overflow. I built and use the one in the first link, but wish I had seen the second before I did. It looks a little more robust. That said, though mine does function adequately.

http://www.reefs.org/library/diy/diy_winner1.html
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=631726&perpage=25&pagenumber=1
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[Lorna]

Thanks the reason I rated the return higher was due to head pressure loss on an approx 4' lift from the sump to the display.