sump remodel

[nbelohlav]

i am revamping my sump and wanted to add an algae scrubber to it, will this design work on a 40 breeder sump 75 gallon DT.

2306

[SantaMonica]

Yes but why not put the screen and the other pipe both into the bubble reducer?

Also that screen looks big; make sure to size it according to feeding.

[Floyd R Turbo]

Welcome to the site, I just responded similarly on the RC thread :)

[nbelohlav]

ok took your advice... tell me if this looks any better. the screen will be the correct size when this is built and the crappy ball will actually be a gate valve. once again i am open to any suggestions as i am still learning.

2319

[kotlec]

You still can get some bubbles coming from scrubber. Cant you install scrubber before baffles ?

[nbelohlav]

You still can get some bubbles coming from scrubber. Cant you install scrubber before baffles ?

the scrubber is before the baffles... where the scrubber and drain pipe are is the first chamber, then that goes into where the skimmer is and then through the three baffles into the live rock rubble area and then over the wall into the return pump area.... all bubbles should be gone my then i would hope....

[kotlec]

Me must look more carefully at pictures next time :)

[nbelohlav]

per the suggestions of some other folks i have did a little redesigning... here it is as of now.

2327

[MorganAtlanta]

I'd still consider running the scrubber off one or both of your drains. It will eliminate a pump.

[nbelohlav]

I'd still consider running the scrubber off one or both of your drains. It will eliminate a pump.

i was told that i shouldnt do that as it is harder to "tune" the scrubber for the right GPH and that using a pump would make things a lot easier. and since i have the space i figure what the heck y not, and also i can leave the drains running when i go to clean the scrubber screen... all i have to do is shut down the one pump, clean the screen and turn it back on.

[Ace25]

I have always used my overflow to feed my ATS on my 75G tank, never once had an issue in the 3 years I have been using at ATS, actually, it has always worked better than using a dedicated pump for me. I only have 1 overflow line though, never tried it with 2 drain lines.

Then again, the pumps I have used have been less than stellar when I use a dedicated pump (ViaAqua, Magdrive, any other crappy pump I have laying around). All my dedicated pumps get clogged with algae if it is near the ATS and they all have trouble restarting after I unplug them. Your situation may be better since the pump is away from the ATS/light so it shouldn't clog with algae like mine do in this type of setup.

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6009/5910380596_603228e88f_n.jpg

Old video when I first started testing LEDs showing how I remove my screen. You can hear the water rushing out of the slot from the overflow once the screen is removed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wGllg25vvQ

[Floyd R Turbo]

Also having a box to block the light from the sump/pump will help prevent algae buildup in/on both

[MorganAtlanta]

I've done it both ways and find the drains work well. Using the non-slot method and Herbie drains works great as there is no change in flow as the algae grows and the drains are silent. I have two drains and feed the spray bar from both ends. A smaller screen might only need one.

You are correct in that feeding from a pump is convenient. For a large scrubber, you need a bigger pump and end up adding a lot of extra heat though, so I just eliminated the need by using the drains.

[Floyd R Turbo]

Depends on the pump. I am finding out that the Eheim Compact and Compact+ pumps are very quiet and cool