sump and protein skimmer

[emmett0122]

I have a 55 gal. with 28lbs of live rock a yellow tailed damsel, 1 peperment shrimp and a really big hermit crab i got from the beach. i am working on building a sump and protein skimmer. i am going to making this a reef tank soon but i want to get rid of all the stuff hanging off the back. i am attaching my plans for both. i am looking for some feed back on if they will work.

 

[nipit8]

the sump.....the buble traps need 1 more pain of glass ...at least--imo,,,most people use 3 on the trap

 

[emmett0122]

most that i have seen do have three on the inlet side of the sump and only one panel on the return but the way i did it i was thinking i should be able to get rid of all the bubbles before get to the return pump

 

[nipit8]

I've never built one with two the way you have them drawn....interested to hear how it works....IMO ...ive actually thought of doing 4--I HATE bubbles......keeep us posted if it works--it will mean a savings on glass if it does

 

[emmett0122]

i have filled it up and just ran the protein skimmer and i had no bubbles in the refug or the return pump but i need to get my overflow box box built so i can get it plumbed in to my tank once i get it up and running will let you know how it works and post some pics

 

[Bifferwine]

The bubble trap will work with just 2 panes of glass. But you don't need two bubble traps -- you only need one, before the return pump.

 

[emmett0122]

well i had my sump and protein skimmer up and running. i made one change to my plans, witch was i made the second baffle 9" so i could put my heater in there. i have some bubbles in the refug part but 0 bubbles in the return pump part. the protein skimmer was starting to so work. the bad news is i started last mite at about 8 o'clock, and when i got up for at 4:30 my pump wasn't running. it was an old pump so i'm not anything but i had to put the hang on filter back on and move the heater back up to the tank. so now im in the market for a new pump. i have one question. where can i get filter socks? and do i really need one?