Need some advice, thanks

[digital-audiophile]

The sump is not really used in the wet/dry type application in SW. The main reasons to have a sump are :

Greater water volume = better water stability
A place to put a skimmer/heater/reactors
You can build in a refugium for to grow macro algae for nutrient export

Do you already have the tank/stand? or is it something you are looking at buying?

[smoke20ster]

Originally Posted by digital-audiophile

The sump is not really used in the wet/dry type application in SW. The main reasons to have a sump are :

Greater water volume = better water stability
A place to put a skimmer/heater/reactors
You can build in a refugium for to grow macro algae for nutrient export

Do you already have the tank/stand? or is it something you are looking at buying?

All ready have the stand that I built, and have the tank already..its the old style 45 tall from all glass aquariums (i think it was discontinued, and redesigned) not bad for 50 dollars, though.

So the sump would just be like another aquarium under the primary one?

[digital-audiophile]

Basically, yeah.

There are a few different designs, some people use a series of baffles to maintain water levels in the skimmer chamber and to control micro bubbles. A cool design though that I think I just got my head around (and I think I am going to swith to) has just one baffle in the middle just above the water line with a hole drilled in the lower part of the baffle with a ball valve.

If you have room for the sump it is something to look at, hwoever you would need to either drill you tank or look at a hang on overflow to move the water to the sump, and then a return pump plumbed in to return the water.

[smoke20ster]

Originally Posted by digital-audiophile

Basically, yeah.

There are a few different designs, some people use a series of baffles to maintain water levels in the skimmer chamber and to control micro bubbles. A cool design though that I think I just got my head around (and I think I am going to swith to) has just one baffle in the middle just above the water line with a hole drilled in the lower part of the baffle with a ball valve.

If you have room for the sump it is something to look at, hwoever you would need to either drill you tank or look at a hang on overflow to move the water to the sump, and then a return pump plumbed in to return the water.

Yeah drilling isnt a option for me...unless I go to a different aquarium, and use this 45 for the sump. Since noone in my home town drills glass I would haveto go with a HOB overflow box.

Thanks for all the help thus far guys/gals....greatly appreciated!

[Matt]

Originally Posted by digital-audiophile

A cool design though that I think I just got my head around (and I think I am going to swith to) has just one baffle in the middle just above the water line with a hole drilled in the lower part of the baffle with a ball valve.

Pictures? Links? I'm in the process of redesigning my sump.

[digital-audiophile]

There are some pictures of the ball valve sump design in Richards thread here http://canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=37356