wanting tip on my sump/fuge

[Pensky]

I plan to set up a 29gal sump/fuge onto my 55gal. I tried this not too long ago, had everything going find and just put in some pumping xenia. Well I left to go camping for 3 days as my bachelor party with my buddies and came home to find that the pump was pumping to fast for the overflow pipe to handle so my wife just turned everything off. Obviously I lost the xenia, but everything else was just fine.

When I unloaded the sump I found that the baffles we not holding that well so I ripped them out of my 29 gal glass tank. So I am going to redo it with thicker baffles and better silicone. I figure I should take another look at the design while I have the chance. This is a Pic of the first set up and I will start working on a new picture of my idea to post very soon.

Take a look at the overflow pipe because I had an air problem,
But I don't know what it is. I had 1" pvc as the overflow line and 1/2"cpvc as the return line.

I still have it sitting empty because I have not found any algae yet can anyone help with this. I was also wondering about using a small acrylic tank down start with a reg fluorescent light, power head, and heater to put some algae in while we go on our week long honeymoon. Then would it help any to use the water from the acrylic tank with algae to use in my sump instead of add 29gal of new seawater to my display tank.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/94669BIG_SUMP.JPG
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/94669Sep12208.JPG
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/94669overflow_pipe.JPG

[kau_cinta_ku]

i am confused on a few things, in your diagram's you don't have any bubble traps, no ball valves? your skimmer should be in front of your fuge, i would also get rid of the bio wheel. and what is the purpose of the 2 small holes in the overflow?

[Equalizer]

I think the holes are to stop the siphon. I agree your skimmer should be first in line not last.

[kau_cinta_ku]

I think the holes are to stop the siphon

that is what i thought but shouldn't they be just below the water line. according to the diagram they are below the bulkhead which IMO is defeating the purpose of them

[Pensky]

the hole are on the very top of the 90 angle going down into the sump. I don't know If they do any good, but I was thinking that if the problem is water in the overflow pipe then this is were the air would be traped but I was wrong.http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/9466955_drilled.JPG
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/94669SIMPLE_SUMP.JPG
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=132101&papass=&sort=1&thecat=500
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=132077&papass=&sort=1&thecat=500

hope this helps

[Equalizer]

Use a T fitting with a cap with the hole in that. Start the hole very small and work your way up. I think you are adding to much air.

[kau_cinta_ku]

those 2nd 2 drawings look like they would work great.