Water flow help...my first Sump/Fuge

beckto

Member
I am attempting my first sump/fuge project here, so bare with me on this, I have been reading a LOT though :) My DT is 29g, and sump is 10g. I'll run a 10g remote Deep sand/fuge also.
Well after a long debate I decided to go with a siphon overflow, store bought at 1200 gph, with 2 drain bulkheads to 1" pipe. Ill run the two, 1" drain pipes to my 10g sump, with one of the drain pipes "T"ing to my remote fuge. I'll control the amount of drainage to the fuge with a ball valve before it enters my fuge. My fuge will then drain to sump.
Return will be 1" pvc, with a ball valve
I will have a 4ft of vertical head on my return with (3) 90s(elbows) and (1) 45.
I'm thinking of getting a "Quiet One Pumps Model 3000" rated at 780 gph at zero head.
What do you all think about my flow, is this sufficient? Overkill? Any other input would help me...Thanks for your interest.
 

beckto

Member
Forgive the basic paint sketch but this is my plan...any thoughts from everyone. All criticism is accepted, after all this is my first attempt. All drain lines and return lines will be 1" PVC. The sump is a 10g tank with acrylic baffles. The fuge will more than likely be a plastic tall container of sort, I have ideas, just not purchased it yet. (I know what is safe) Also I must state that this setup is based on limited space in my stand.
 

beckto

Member
I hope this info is detailed enough to get comments, anything else I forgot to detail let me know!
 

turningtim

Active Member
Couple of things, Don't know if that is enough pump for that OF. You could always down size the U-tubes to 3/4". The issue is you need enough flow through the U-tube to carry bubbles. If there is not enough flow the bubbles will collect and stop the siphon.
But I also have a bit of concern with having to much flow through the sump. If there is not enough sump space mirco's will be carried back to the tank.
I would combine the drains and then just place a shut off at each end. Your fuge drain is gravity fed?
 

beckto

Member
The overflow is actually an acrylic box, no tubes, but same principle. Rated at 1600gph. I will attatch a tube at te top of the box connected to a powerhead to continuosly pull any air that might accumulate.
Yes fuge drain will be gravity fed to sump, the flow rate will be whatever i have the valve set to, as the water drains into it.
i could always downsize the overflow and pump, to reduce the flow, but I read that you need a bigger overflow than the return pump.
 

turningtim

Active Member
Aaa, a CPR with an Aqualifter. I hosestly have no idea how that will run with half flow. Well you do need a bigger OF than pump but should be matched a bit closer. I mean if you went with a 600gph OF That would give you lets say 500gph through the sump. Thats 17x right there. With one or two PH's in there and you could get 30+. This more than likey wouldn't outrun your sump and I think would be more than enough flow for the system.
Unless you are going crazy SPS tank 50+x.....
 

beckto

Member
For what its worth, I have two koralia 1s at 400gph each in the DT now.
On a side note I decided to make a diy overflow from melevsreef idea, but I want to put 2 drains off the back of the over flow, mainly for redundancy. I want this to be as fool proof as possible, with out drillingmy tank, which is impossible. Not sure what the gph will be out of this OF, im using 1inch PVC. With 9inches of linear surface skimm from the OF. Thinking it should be about 800gph, just a guess though.
 

turningtim

Active Member
JMHO, I would build a U-tube OF. No bending,heating and no aqua lifter. A 1" drain will get you 600 gph.
I also build these boxes. Have done a couple for folks here and my own. I do it for fun.

 

beckto

Member
Very nice! I'm also starting to have fun with the diy stuff, great time killer.
I was originally going to go U-tube, but from the reading I was doing the box seemed safer. Have you ever lost siphon on the tubes?
I couldn't find any boxes at the LFSs here, are they lee's specimen? I would have to order them :(... Unless I could find something at a hobby store or wallyworld. What are the dimensions of the boxes? Looks about 10" long or so. Is there a reason behind your pvc drain pointed down? My plan was to elbow it pointing horizontal. Is there a method to the cap on the pvc? A hole for air?
Thanks for ideas, this is why i'm here!
 

turningtim

Active Member
I don't remember how big this is. I'll have to look at my drawings. I do know that after it was set up I made an inner box a bit bigger.
I don't trust CPR type OF. I really really wouldn't trust one that I made. U-tube OF WILL NOT break siphon if set up properly. A CPR depends on something that is mechanical to operate. I prefer physics.
The pipes in the back box are stand pipes. Those are Durso design to silence the OF. You need some kind of silencing device, stockman, durso and a couple others. If you don't use one of these the OF will sound like a constant toilet flushing. The cap is the adjustment for air to flow in the system.
If you want boxes I can make those. I have a ton of acrylic scrap laying around collecting dust.
Why is it impossible to drill your tank? Pretty easy really?
 

beckto

Member
My tank is tempered glass on all sides...BIG sticker on the bottom
Thought about buying a new tank, but the ones at the LFS dont say if they are tempered or not. Nor does anyone working there. My LFS is so unreliable, good thing I have these forums.
I bought a bunch of acrylic today, I am looking forward to trying this out. The bulkheads are a little tricky, I am close to just ordering them. I need to check Lowes to see what they have. If they dont have anything that I can use to make my own ill have to hit the order button. Other than that I need to buy some cement/solvent to bond the acrylic. I know weldon is popular, but I cant find any locally. Once I get the glue, I am going to go nuts, Ill be sure to take some pics!
 

turningtim

Active Member
Usually tanks are only tempered on the bottom glass. Just for strength. Also that bottom pc is thinner than the rest of the glass. I've taken just a few a part. Look for an acrylic supply house. They will have adhesive. I use #3,#4 and #16. L0owes and Home Dumpster will not have bulkheads. You will have to order them. Live with it! Esopps OF site is where I get dimension and tweek it from there.
 
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