Sump: over/under/over? or the other way?

superduperwesman · #1 04-09-2010, 02:16 PM

Yeah I say under over under over so most of your micro bubbles get trapped in the first chamber b/c they're at the top and the water is going out the bottom

banditpowdercoat · #2 04-09-2010, 02:27 PM

Like I said, in my sump, all the bubbles go to the bottom first. My first chamber is under/over. It was built when I got it, and I watch the bubbles come from tank drain and right under the 1st baffle

kien · #3 04-09-2010, 02:33 PM

I have seen both styles used with success. I honestly don't know which one is better, but I'm an over-under-over guy myself

Rogue951 · #4 04-09-2010, 03:03 PM

If you plan on having a refugium in there then u have to go over under over.

MikeInToronto · #5 04-09-2010, 03:34 PM

Thanks for the replies.

I won't be using a refugium. This tank is small so I'm not getting too deep into the build until I get a larger tank. This one is just for practice. I've been out of the hobby too long so I'm trying to relearn what I've lost (or what's changed).

I'll go with over/under/over which was my original plan. I stopped after attaching the second baffle because I starting doubting myself.

Originally I only installed one baffle and had the sump running but on a whim this morning before work I emptied the sump and cleaned it for the extra baffles I had cut but never used. One baffle was fine but there were some bubbles getting in the tank and now I want them gone. I also want to stop using filter socks and sponges.

MikeInToronto · #6 04-10-2010, 11:23 PM

I got the baffles installed and I put the sump back in place, ready to fill it next morning when the silicone was cured. I also rerouted one of my drains so they all dump into the skimmer compartment. Everything was fine and I was heading to bed. I looked in the tank and the anemone looked shriveled but I figured it was "changing water" so I left it.
I woke up and took another look. The anemone was a little larger but still unhappy. I felt the water: cold. "How can this be? I placed the heater in the DT!" Well putting it in is fine. Plugging it in is usually helpful.
Anyway, I threw the heaters in the sump, emptied the stored water into the sump, threw on the return pump and hoped.

Everything was fine. The temperature had dropped to somewhere around 65 so I guess it wasn't too bad. It took a couple hours for it to reach above 70 and I could see the anemone changing as it got warmer. It's doing great again.

As for the bubble trap, it works well enough. There are still micro-bubbles and it seems these are still there even when nothing is running but the VorTech in the tank. I can't figure out where they come from but it doesn't matter. They don't really bug me and there aren't many. One day I may find the cause.

banditpowdercoat · #7 04-11-2010, 12:43 AM

Temp dropped to 65!!! WOW, that's a little cold for sure. Hope everything is ok

kien · #8 04-11-2010, 02:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeInToronto

There are still micro-bubbles and it seems these are still there even when nothing is running but the VorTech in the tank. I can't figure out where they come from but it doesn't matter. They don't really bug me and there aren't many. One day I may find the cause.

How high up is your Vortech? What I noticed a little while back is that if my powerhead is a tad too high that it will occassionally cause a vortex and slurp some air into the powerheads intake. The powerheads then dices the bubble and generate microbubbles. It happens so fast that unless you are standing there for a long long time watching and waiting for it you won't notice it.