Sump’n about Sumps

I was recently asked about the design of the sump (filter) on my reef aquarium.  I figured it might be nice for others to be able to see, so here is a brief overview, complete with pictures!

First off, the sump design was not my idea, but due to the size of the protein skimmer, the fact that it is an “in-sump” model, and it’s all in a 10 gallon aquarium, I have no complaints.

The inlet to the sump empties into the Live Rock area, where also rests the ginormous protein skimmer.  Water leisurely flows through here and over the acrylic divider to the return pump where it is cirulated through a T-connection where some water (about half) is routed to the protein skimmer.  This water is skimmed an return to the live rock area, and then makes its way back to the return pump once again.  There are two problems I have with this design.  First is that I don’t really have an area for a dedicated refugium with a sand bed and all that. Second, air bubbles tend to make it to the return pump and thus into the display tank.  It doesn’t really hurt anything, but millions of tiny bubbles tend to obstruct the view a little bit.

Were I to build the sump from scratch, I would have an inlet area on one end, with a refugium in the middle and a return area on the opposite end, with bubble traps built in between the sections like so:

Of course, some finagling would be necessary depending on what type of skimmer is employed.  In my case, the refugium would be tiny, hence why I didn’t alter the design at all.  Tiny air bubbles would be a non-issue in this design, as well as allow a refugium space.

At any rate, here are some photographs of my current sump.  It appears to work just fine – my system has cycled completely and the two inhabitants I have currently are loving it.  Only time will tell once the bio-load is increased.

Scary!

Protein Skimmer

All business

Compact Flourescent household bulb in lamp