I have a question about plumbing. I just set up my sump on my 90 RR tank. I have my sump broken into 3 sections. The first section is the skimmer section and where the water enters the sump. Then the return section in the middle and the refugium at the end. I have a T from the tank input so some of the water goes to the skimmer section and some to the refugium. I am getting a lot of bubbles and surging from the water entering the refugium. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

The easy way to get around this is to put the full flow into the skimmer section. You then create a bridge from the skimmer to the fuge area. If you can not do this there is one thing that you can do, but it may cause some problems. You will have to place a tee above the area where you have the split for the skim/fuge. Place the feed into the elbowed area of the tee. Then, run a piece of pipe up in order to allow the air to vent from the water flow. This can be aided if you can increase the size of the pipe there by reducing the force of the flow allowing the air to travel up the pipe easier. If more info is needed just PM me.

Ok. I think I understand what you are saying. The best way would be to add a small pump to my skimmer section that goes to the fuge. Otherwise I will have to add a T above the T I have that is split for the skimmer and fuge sections. I think I might try adding a small pump to the skimmer section. I really don't want to mess around with my plumbing quite yet. Thanks for the response.

Exactly what Doug said. It's the same kind of construction as a durso, but with the durso stand pipe, you are allowing air in, to stop the gurgle of an overflow, and allow for better water flow (without vaccume pressure) through the pipe.

In this case, you are giving the plumbing an outlet for the air to rise and escape and not force bubbles into your system.

You can see mine on the left side of the plumbing in this picture

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d176/JustDavidP/CuringRock.jpg

You can leave it uncapped, if tall enough, or cap it like this and drill a decent sized hole in it.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d176/JustDavidP/durso.jpg

David

With the bridge you could use a pump to move the water from the skimmer area. Most people have the tank drilled and use bulkheads to create the bridge.

Doug... Just wanted to point out, and say thank you for your contributions to this site.

David

David,

I am having a little trouble seeing where the T is. In your first picture it looks like the water comes in on the left side, then a T that splits to the skimmer section and another T near the skimmer section. I can't see where the T is for the fuge section. Is it on your DT? My skimmer section and fuge section are opposite of yours. Would it help to put a T in my fuge section (the same T you have for your skimmer section). Thanks.

Yeah...the picture crops the top off it... actually, the water comes in from the right side. In this picture, it's not tied in yet to the overflow of the tank upstairs. On that right side, there's a ball valve to send some water to the left side, the refugium. The fuge has a spray bar on it that runs vertical. Above that, is the "T" with an elongated stem on the top. That left side, with the "chimney" of sorts, allows the air to be released before it makes bubbles in the fuge chamber.

D

FYI... that stack is tall because of the pressure of the water, coming from the floor above. Depending on the pressure in the PVC, yours could be much shorter.

D

I see now. I will try to T modification to my plumbing. Thanks for the help David and Doug. Now I just have to work on the microbubbles in the skimmer section :roll:

If you have enough, properly placed baffles between there and the return pump chamber, you should be able to knock em down.

Dave