Sump Setup

[gatorzone19]

Alright I am adding a sump and refugium to my system which is a 55g not drilled. I do not know where I should put ball valves, what size bulkhead for the output of the sump, or where to put the baffles. This is drawing I made of it. If you see any problems with the design please tell me.

 

[deejeff442]

lokks pretty good.from the fuge to pump make the baffle to the bottom first then let the water go under the second so there isnt a waterfall to make bubbles to the pump.
i set up mine with the fuge first split the overflow pipe into two and have one go to the fuge and the other in the skimmer section.
a one inch bulk head should be good but if you can do a 1 1/2 even better.
i have a 1500 gpr split and had to put 2 1 1/4 inc bulkheads.
here is mine i built i gutted my old wet/dry
fuge -skimmer, heaters,phosphate reactor-return pump

 

[gatorzone19]

Thanks for the info deejeff! Also does anyone have experience with the Vetex IN 100 Protein Skimmer or the catalina water pumps?

 

[pallan]

I would put the fuge first so your not skimming out all the stuff you want the fuge to get.
and if possible from my experience stay away from the catalina pump had one and it always froze up or failed to restart after power down. ive got mag pumps that have been in costant use for over 2 years with no issue the catalina pump was sent to water mixing after 6 months and then totally froze up and burned out doing that.

 

[gatorzone19]

Alright then no to catalina water pumps. What pump do you suggest for my return pump. My overflow is 900gph but I will probaly dial it down to about 600gph.

 

[gatorzone19]

Just ordered a Rio Hyperflow 17 which is 1080 gph for a killer deal. I know some people dont like Rio but I have had some of their pumps for over 5 years.

 

[gatorzone19]

Now I need an overflow box not over $50. Have any suggestions?

 

[gatorzone19]

Just got the B&R Overflow(950 gph).

 

[deejeff442]

doing some simple math
your pump will overflor the tank?

 

[gatorzone19]

I am going to use a pvc T with ball valve to put water back in the sump or I might not even have to because the pump is about 840 gph at 4 feet.