Mechanically, how does a wet/dry sump work?

[roadie996]

I know this is a pretty basic question, and I've got the general idea of how it works, but I was wondering if anyone has specifics on it? I'm not talking about the filtration and that stuff. I just want to know really what keeps the water from overflowing, best placement for the pump, and for tanks that need to use external overflow boxes, where would the pump for those setups?
I apologize if this has been covered, I tried to search but I didn't really know how to search for this type of question without getting a bunch of DIY sump threads.
Thanks!

 

[bang guy]

I'm not sure how detailed you want your answer.
If you have an external overflow on the tank there is a point where the tank is full but not overflowing. If you add another gallon of water then a gallon will automatically flow through the overflow. That is the advantage of an overflow vs a straight siphon - the overflow removes the exact amount of water that is added to the tank. So, you add a sump to catch the water that overflows andthen a pump to pump it back up into the tank. The pump will pump all the water it can but the overflow will remove water at the exact rate the pump is adding it, no more, no less.
This assumes the overflow is working properly and the pump isn't adding water faster than what the overflow is rated for.

 

[windlasher]

Originally Posted by Bang Guy
http:///forum/post/3096964
I'm not sure how detailed you want your answer.
If you have an external overflow on the tank there is a point where the tank is full but not overflowing. If you add another gallon of water then a gallon will automatically flow through the overflow. That is the advantage of an overflow vs a straight siphon - the overflow removes the exact amount of water that is added to the tank. So, you add a sump to catch the water that overflows andthen a pump to pump it back up into the tank. The pump will pump all the water it can but the overflow will remove water at the exact rate the pump is adding it, no more, no less.
This assumes the overflow is working properly and the pump isn't adding water faster than what the overflow is rated for.

- The key being to make sure that your sump/wet dry is large enough to handle the amount of water overflowing. I have seen ugly mistakes happen that way. Remember, in this hobby, size does matter.

 

[roadie996]

Excellent! Thank you for your answer! I like details, so the more details the better. I like to play things as "pretend I know nothing" and gather info then get confused on "I know this, but not that"
Do either of you guys know a basic ratio of tank to sump size? Or if theirs a rule of thumb that most people go by?

 

[windlasher]

Originally Posted by roadie996
http:///forum/post/3097060
Excellent! Thank you for your answer! I like details, so the more details the better. I like to play things as "pretend I know nothing" and gather info then get confused on "I know this, but not that"
Do either of you guys know a basic ratio of tank to sump size? Or if theirs a rule of thumb that most people go by?
The general rule of thumb is to buy a wet dry, (or any filter system or skimmer) rated for twice the size of your tank. That said, I would go with a sump instead of a WD if I had a choice.
INTERESTING FACT: Did you know that the term "Rule of thumb" was an old law that stated that a man could not beat his wife with a stick thicker than his thumb. What a barbaric people we are.

 

[king_neptune]

yes i did. and also back then a foot was measured by the kings foot. unfortunately it changed after every new king^^ i wonder how silly well look in 500 years.
Global warming? lol. what caused the last global warming? Wooly Mammoth farts?
and to answer the previous questions. %20-30 is pretty much accepted. Although bigger is better. My sump is %44 of my DT.

 

[roadie996]

Originally Posted by windlasher
http:///forum/post/3097073
INTERESTING FACT: Did you know that the term "Rule of thumb" was an old law that stated that a man could not beat his wife with a stick thicker than his thumb. What a barbaric people we are.
can't do to much damage with that, now can we? Prehaps it shoulda been a rule of wrist!!!!

(...what a great movie!)

 

[roadie996]

Originally Posted by King_Neptune
http:///forum/post/3097636
yes i did. and also back then a foot was measured by the kings foot. unfortunately it changed after every new king^^ i wonder how silly well look in 500 years.
Global warming? lol. what caused the last global warming? Wooly Mammoth farts?
and to answer the previous questions. %20-30 is pretty much accepted. Although bigger is better. My sump is %44 of my DT.
LOL
Sweet, thank you guys for the info! I'll soon start shopping for a sump, just need to figure out the size of my next tank. wooo!

 

[windlasher]

Originally Posted by roadie996
http:///forum/post/3097673
LOL
Sweet, thank you guys for the info! I'll soon start shopping for a sump, just need to figure out the size of my next tank. wooo!

If you dont need to put it under your tank, you can get a 100 gal trough at fleet farm for about $80 or a 50 gal for about $50. You have to be a little creative as far as installing baffles and the like, but its pretty simple.