Sump for 72 Gallon Freshwater

**mrramsey** · 02-13-2013, 03:16 PM

Hi All,
Planning out my sump for the 72g coast to coast overflow project based on Bean Animal's design. Here is what I have figured.

20g long sump
2 x 50 micron sock filters
3 gallons of bio-balls
700-900gph pump

The normal operating capacity should be about 15g leaving 5g to catch the extra water in the overflow which should be about 2g. What do you think? I am open to alternate designs

**Cliff** · 02-13-2013, 03:55 PM

Looks like it will work just fine to me

What are your plans for the compartment between the bio-balls and the return pump ? That would be a pretty good spot for your heaters and to passively run carbon or phosphate removers should you ever need to use any of those.

**glarior** · 02-13-2013, 04:20 PM

Looks good. Do you plan to have corals?

Cliff idea of the spot for heaters is great. Makes the tank look better with out a heater in it

**mrramsey** · 02-13-2013, 05:14 PM

Yes I plan to put the heater in the sump... do you think I should make a compartment for additional other additives for better flow through or just in the compartment between the pump and bio media? I was almost wondering if I should go to a 30g sump. Still designing the new stand so space is not an issue.

@glarior - No corals.... this will be a fresh water build. Thought about a fowlr but just don't think I am ready for salt yet.

**glarior** · 02-13-2013, 05:25 PM

Originally Posted by mrramsey

Yes I plan to put the heater in the sump... do you think I should make a compartment for additional other additives for better flow through or just in the compartment between the pump and bio media? I was almost wondering if I should go to a 30g sump. Still designing the new stand so space is not an issue.

@glarior - No corals.... this will be a fresh water build. Thought about a fowlr but just don't think I am ready for salt yet.

IMO, bigger sump is always better when it comes to aquariums. Having extra space for anything you may need in a sump is a luxury.

Maybe add some egg crate section to where your water comes into the sump? That way you could always add various media if you needed it?

**mrramsey** · 02-13-2013, 06:08 PM

Pet supplies plus has their tanks on sale for $1 per gallon... I may just run over and pick up a 29 to be safe.

**ijankrom** · 02-13-2013, 07:05 PM

I take it the Stars in your design are the bio media section? Are you going to implement a drip plate? If so I think you will either need to raise the first two sections or lower baffles after bio section as currently the majority of the bio media will be submerged under water according to your design. Biological filtration works really efficiently when adequate air is introduced, and submerging in water might not give you adequate air.

You could also introduce a air stone on the bottom of bio section and keep everything else the same.

**mrramsey** · 02-13-2013, 09:15 PM

Yes that is the current design and I wondered about constructing a higher section or tower of sorts but I need the inlets to be submerged to keep the noise down. If I go with the 29g I can get another 5 inches of height. If I use the 29 I can do it and have about a 50/50 mix in the trickle

sump2.jpg

**Cliff** · 02-13-2013, 09:22 PM

I would not be very concerned about a lack of oxygen levels in the sump. As the water drains from the tank, it will be sucking air into the drain line giving you a lot of bubbles and oxygenation in the first compartment of the sump. After all, that would be a lot more oxygen in your sump than any canister filter would get.

I like your second design with the 29 gallon a lot better. It looks like you might be able to get some more bio-balls in there as well which would be a good thing

**mrramsey** · 02-14-2013, 01:16 AM

Originally Posted by Cliff

I would not be very concerned about a lack of oxygen levels in the sump. As the water drains from the tank, it will be sucking air into the drain line giving you a lot of bubbles and oxygenation in the first compartment of the sump. After all, that would be a lot more oxygen in your sump than any canister filter would get.

I like your second design with the 29 gallon a lot better. It looks like you might be able to get some more bio-balls in there as well which would be a good thing

Yea... I have been doodling on the side of this 20g all evening with a dry erase marker and have not been happy with any of the layouts. I went to Pet supplies Plus and they were out of the 29's but will have some tomorrow.