Sump design.

[Sir Alex]

I found a skimmer with a smaller foot print so I want to make the skimmer area smaller. The problem is that the input pipe is 14" from the side of the tank and there's a piece glued on to the end which prevents me from adding any more piping. Is there some way to get the piece off?

 

[Sir Alex]

Bump...

 

[Bifferwine]

Is it PVC? If so, use a hacksaw or a pipe cutter.

 

[Sir Alex]

Is it PVC? If so, use a hacksaw or a pipe cutter.

The thing is, it's connected to a valve piece so if I were to cut anything I would mess it up. That's another thing, isn't the valve usually to control the flow going out of the sump? The guy I bought the tank from put the valve on the input pipe.

 

[Bifferwine]

Yeah, having a valve there shouldn't matter.

 

[Sir Alex]

Yeah, having a valve there shouldn't matter.

So I don't need a valve at all?

 

[Bifferwine]

You need one on the return line.

 

[Sir Alex]

You need one on the return line.

I think I'll just get rid of the pipes he made and make my own...

 

[Sir Alex]

Would it be alright if the baffles were 16" high?

 

[Sir Alex]

And would I be okay without any valve at all?

 

[Bifferwine]

That's fine for baffle height. But you must have a ball valve on the return line.

 

[Sir Alex]

But you must have a ball valve on the return line.

Ugh, that guy did such a crummy job...

 

[Sir Alex]

So now I have some extra room due to the smaller skimmer. So I was wondering which is better, a 10" fuge and a 12" return section, or a 12" fuge and a 10" return section? I guess I can have the smaller return section if I have an ATO?

 

[Sir Alex]

Alright, I have a problem. The fuge is going to be in the middle of the sump and there's going to be the light sitting on a piece of egg crate above it. The thing is, where egg crate has to go is where that plastic piece that goes across the middle is. So I was wondering if I could remove it or if that would affect the integrity?

 

[Sir Alex]

If I can't cut it then what should I do?

 

[Sir Alex]

Hmm, I fixed the problem by putting another piece of egg crate on the other side and put the light in the middle over the plastic thing. And it was working before the thing started to melt. :shock:

Please, I really need to know if I can remove it.

 

[Zissou]

Sounds like bracing, I wouldn't remove it.

 

[Sir Alex]

Sounds like bracing, I wouldn't remove it.

I've decided to get a CFL reflector instead so I won't have to worry about heat.

 

[Sir Alex]

So I've discovered that to get the skimmer or anything else in the sump I have to take it out. This is because it's 2' tall and the stand is 30". I have a 30 gallon long laying around which would fit a lot better. The problem is that it cuts down on the water volume by about 25 gallons. And the stand would also a lot more empty so I really would need to cover up the open stand (think I'll go with a curtain). But I can't be taking the sump out every time I want to add something. I'll also have a 65 layin' around. :roll:

So should I use the 30 as a sump? :question:

 

[Sir Alex]

Is a 5 gallon return section big enough, if I top off daily?