need sump pump design

[skyjenn]

Hi there,
I am putting together a 100 gal with a built in overflow with pre-cut in/out flow openings. I have already purchased a nautilus skimmer, 9.5 mag drive and know I also need at least another 7 mag drive. I have been told to buy a 20gal for the sump and have a 2 inch hole drilled in each end. That's all I know. I have my 55 running with exterior skimmer and filter and would like to put this one together. Right now I just want to get the water in and running, worry about fish and other things later. Anyone with any plans/designs that they could forward?
Thanks for the help. This will probably be a fish only tank, maybe a couple of pieces of live rock, with decorator rock mostly.

 

[squidd]

Not understanding the need for two 2" holes in a sump...2" holes will NOT fit any standard bulkhead...
Is this a sump/fuge combo, or are you planning on adding a seperate fuge...?
You say "exterior" filter/skimmer, like in canister or HOB ?...and now you want to put them in the sump, or do you still want to run them externally...?

 

[skyjenn]

Forget external that is in my 55, I just want everything hidden in my 100. I had someone who was going to help me build the sump and they have since moved. I am not able to get in touch and all I can tell you is what I was told.
The aquarium outflow was to go into the skimmer, then into a seperate section of the sump to be pumped back into the aquarium. I think we were going to create a divider in the tank with plexiglass. the reason for 2 inch holes going into the 20 gal sump is for my plumbing for the in/out take in the 100 tank.

 

[squidd]

What kind of skimmer...? Most skimmers have a seperate pump that regulates air/water flow and the "level" in the skimmer for proper operation...You will most likely have problems if you run the overflow "directly" into the skimmer...
You can place the skimmer directly in the sump or just the pump with the skimmer "body" out side...return flow would then go back into the sump...
Overflow water would go directly in sump...you"could" run it through a bulkhead but most just run the overflow line directly into the sump...where it can run through the skimmer and then all this water goes to the return pump where again, you could run it through a bulkhead, but most just run it directly to the tank...
Unless you choose to "divert" some of the return water to a seperate "fuge"

 

[squidd]

It "sounds" like you have the makings of a good design for your sump..
A 20 gallon tank with a divider baffle separating it into two "chambers...
In one chamber you have the overflow water entering...this is where you place your skimmer and possibly heater...
The skimmed water then flows over the baffle to the "return" chamber where your return pump is located...the return pump then pushes water back to the tank...
All this is good... And if you want the overflow and return lines to go through bulkheads ...OK...
But, make sure you get your bulkheads first to get the holes drilled to the appropriate size...

 

[skyjenn]

Thanks, I have been looking for designs and have found one that makes sense with what you are saying. DIY sump project at Creative Reefs. I have seen some others that look too elaborate for what I want.