Thread Redirect for Sump Questions

[Fischer]

Sorry - I think I may have put my original thread in the wrong forum (New to the Hobby).

Please look it over and let me know whatever you can! I'm very interested in the need for bulkheads and even the need for seperating out a sump. Been reading long enough to tick off my wife and I still don't full understand the exact need for a sump or the reasons behind the seperators or the bulkheads!

Yikes...

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=357150 (http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=357150)

[Quicksilver]

The benefits of a sump are the ability to hide heaters, skimmers, and other equipment. Also it adds to the water volume which at a higher volume is easier to keep stable. The bulkheads are the fittings that you use to hook your plumbing to the tank or sump. The seperators are for oxygenating the water and reducing any bubbles getting into the main tank. Another benefit to a sump is that your evaporation will not be seen in the main tank only in the sump. There are quite a few more benefits maybe someone else will chime in with something I forgot to mention. William

[frank2926]

you will find alot of info on this site.

http://www.melevsreef.com/

[Fischer]

Thanks all and thanks for the link - I had actually run into it on another search last evening and read up on the Sump info there. Great info - I now have a pretty darn good understanding of what the sump is, what it's for and why I should have one.

I still have questions regarding the Bulkheads though. What would they give me over just having the water drain into the sump and get pumped out directly from after the baffles?

I checked with Home Depot and they don't have Bulkheads (or 1" check valves) - now of a cheap place to get those items?

I have purchased one inch PVC for my plumbing on the 75G - sound good?

Thanks again!

-Tim

[Quicksilver]

Bulkheads are mainly used for hooking up external pumps or in tank drains. Anywhere you need a water tight seal around a place plumbing goes through. Usually when the plumbing goes through below the water line. If you have a hang on back overflow box and a submersible return pump you would not need bulkheads. I like in tank overflows and external pumps so I have to use bulkheads. HTH

[Liquid Cool]

Fischer,

I'm taking a few pics of my setup, and will post them. I have a 75 aga drilled with a 20h sump, this setup is working spectacular. If you need more detailed pictures or sizes of anything just ask.

LC

[Liquid Cool]

...

http://members.cox.net/bock1-1/DSCN0793.JPG



http://members.cox.net/bock1-1/DSCN0794.JPG

[Liquid Cool]

http://members.cox.net/bock1-1/DSCN0795.JPG


http://members.cox.net/bock1-1/DSCN0796.JPG


http://members.cox.net/bock1-1/DSCN0798.JPG

[Liquid Cool]

The setup keeps the main tank at a perfect level all the time. Good water agitation at the top of the main tank, and is virtually noise free. Running a 1" feed line, looped to two outlets(no powerheads necessary), and a 2" return line. The whole setup was about $150 with tank. Plumbing costs were a tad less than a hundred out of the total $150. I'm using a MAG 9.5 to feed the water to the tank. Extremely reliable.

What ever you do, keep us posted with the progress, and good luck. Like I said, any questions on the setup, just ask.

LC

[Liquid Cool]

Fischer...

You can get those bulkheads at marinedepotlive.com

LC

[Fischer]

LiquidCool - Thanks! Nice setup!

I feel pretty comfortable now about what a sump does for me and am really looking forward to getting this thing up and running. I purchased all the plumbing for drainage (water changes) and re-fills as well as a direct line to my RO/DI system for autotop-off into the sump (using a float valve).

I'm still on the edge about using the bulkheads only because of the drilling issue and the risk of an exploded tank where it is located. The Mag 9.5 can be used submersed or external and I do understand the reasoning behind in-line pumping (the heat from the pump doesn't warm up the water). I'll first try the submersible way and if I have issues with heat, I'll re-plumb to go in-line (with bulkheads).

My next hurdle is re-running electrical to the area in question (sucks because under this particular part of the house, there is only a crawl space).

I pick up my tank this week with the overflows. Due to space constraints I must have the entire system right up against the wall or this won't work. Sucks a little cause I'm going to have very new 75G tank doing nothing for me when I'm finished... oh well.

Thanks for all the ideas!

-Tim