Sump issues

[scuttlebut]

The tank I'm using to make my sump is 31" x 14" x 17" and my skimmer's footprint requires 10" of the 31". That leaves 21" to be divided between the refugium, return and baffles. How much capacity do I need for the refugium / return? My pump will fit in an area 4" wide but in my opinion that is not enough capacity, not to mention overflow if it looses power. Any suggestion?

I guess I need to mention the display tank is a 90 using two 1" drains and the pump is 900 gph.

[scrmbld33]

heres a good site with some good sump examples http://www.melevsreef.com/links.html

[rick12]

go to the home page and check out reefkeeping mag. it features an article on sumps this month. sumps 101

[werkkrew]

You dont need a big area for the return pump, the water can be above the baffle which separates that area from the rest of the tank. The baffle in the return area I think its only to separate the pump from the refugium and to give it access to less area in the event of an overflow clog so it has less available water to pump out.

[Dustin_p]

You also need to keep in mind that the water in the return section is going to vary, due to evaporation. I lose about an 1 1/2 each day (my return sump is 24 X 15).

[Dewey58]

Dustin is right. If you have an ATO then your return pump section can be reasonably small (8" of the 21"). However if you don't have an ATO, I would want to have a significantly larger return pump area. If not, you will be constantly adding water. Go with an ATO and make your fuge as big as possible. Include deep sand bed, live rock and chaeto for excellent nitrate reduction.
Good luck.