What to do with sump return

[natclanwy]

I am going to set up a sump/refugium for my 55gal tank, I am going to use a spare 30gal tank for the sump, a cpr cs102 overflow and a quietone 3000 for my return pump and my head height is around 4ft. My question is what do I do with the return line going into the tank is it best to have one outlet into the tank, a spraybar, or a scwd unit? I am open to other ideas also.

 

[bovetek]

I'm gonna try doing this with mine. My drawing is not the best but you get the idea. I an not going to have a wave maker at this point. I will however be using lokline so I can adjust the direction of flow. I thought about usinf a SQWD but it restricted my flow to much.
HTH

 

[thangbom]

it's all im prefernce... what is it that you want or want to go on in your tank... mines for example has 1 main spray that 't' off into a spraybar just to direct surface skumm to the overflow...( another good thing about the spraybar is surface aggitation = air) but it al depens on what u want.. people do a crown close lopp thing to get maximum water current in there tank for a reef.. so it depends on what u like and want to do...

 

[natclanwy]

Will a spray bar increase salt creep? and will it introduce micro bubbles to the tank?

 

[jacknjill]

what is a scwd? im trying to figure out how to put a sump underneath my 55 also. how much flow would a spraybar provide? ive gota reef so i kinda need a lot.

 

[natclanwy]

SCWD is a wave making device I believe it stands for Switching Current Water Director don't remember for sure basically it has a valve that switches the flow between to outlets automatically.

 

[thangbom]

that scwd is a device that has a swich that changes waterflow from one outlet to another creating randome current... and as for a spraybar... if it's being fed off your return pump then .. whatever your return pump gph is.. then that is what the spraybar will get... as for me.. id have a spraybar .... the way i have mine set-up is from return pump to 2 90's ( to make the 'u' to hang on my tank) then a 't' then a 90 with holes drilled into a cap that is on the 90... ( this is to create some backpressure so the spraybar can have so ummphh!!) anyhow.. the spraybar is just a male adaptor with a cpvc pipe with holes drilled in it.. then a cap at the end .... ( the male adaptor part is important .. why?? well it's only hand tighten.. but since it's a screw on fitting.. i can adjust the angle of the spraybar.. so that it can spar up or down more.. creating whatevery type of current i want..)

 

[thangbom]

ohh.. and id add a close loop for additional turnover... id have a big exturnal pump on the floor in the back of my tank.. then use clear tube that will fish into the rockwork where it will connect to a bigger spray bar like thing... ( that way.. the clear tubing is less unsightly...) and for feeed for the close loop will come from the tank itself.. it will consist of a 't' and a 90.. ( think of a 'h' but the leg on the right is the 1 hangin in the tank... that way.. i can prime the pump .. the top of the 'h' will be a screw on cap or plug.. i can pour water in there and fill the line up some.. then screw the plug/cap on with some teflon tape.. then fire the pump up.. it will have to pump a little some to ride of air pockets but it will eventually get full...

 

[pbienkiewi]

Were is the 30gal sump tank going ? under the 55 ? Will it fit ?

 

[natclanwy]

The 30 will probably go next to the tank my stand won't accomodate anything but a 10 gal tank under it but I have another stand for a 55 gal. freshwater tank that has the 30 under it right now. I think I might put both tanks next to each other not sure yet. I am in the process of moving my current set-up of a 45gal salt water and 30 gal freshwater to two 55 gallon tanks that were given to me and someday the salt water tank will be moved into a 130gal tank that I picked up for $50.

 

[acrylic51]

Originally Posted by Bovetek
I'm gonna try doing this with mine. My drawing is not the best but you get the idea. I an not going to have a wave maker at this point. I will however be using lokline so I can adjust the direction of flow. I thought about usinf a SQWD but it restricted my flow to much.
HTH
What are you using as a return pump and what size loclines are you using?

 

[bovetek]

I planning on using a Mag12. As far as the size of lock line, I've still got to do some figuring.
Squid is helping me with this project. I was thinking on using 1/2" outlets with some spreaders but I still need to do some figuring as to the size of pipe for the main loop.
I just posted the pic as a possible suggestion to the question.

 

[acrylic51]

I understand you have 4' from the pump up to the "T" and then 6 outlet ports....What size pvc are you using for the spray bar? 3/4", 1"?

 

[bovetek]

Well....... Since the Mag12 has a 3/4" discharge, I read that you should double that. So, I am going to use 1-1/2" SpaFlex up to the loop. I probably should use the 1-1/2 pipe for the loop, but I'm not sure if 6 1/2" ports/ outlets will be too much or not enough. To tell the truth I'm not much of a mathematician. With my head loss I will be around 950gph. acounting for all the plumbing. Squid helped me with all of the particulars. I can't take any of the credit.
THANKS SQUID!!!!!!

 

[thangbom]

well .. since these outlet port are off of tees.. id go with like 3/4''.. then buy caps (with holes drilled) or bushings to get the desired flow or pressure..( you do0nt need to glue these fitting on.. if u push them in a little bit.. they will stay in place.. there wont be enough pressur to blast them off.. thats how my main return from my sump/fuge is on.. it's just in there snugged like.. and it dont come a blasting off..( my retun line runes at anbout 1500 gph.. off a pressure rated iwaki pump) ... so if mines stay.. yours should too..