[Lowej82]

I am in process of building my sump/fuge, I started to build the area that holds my return pump for the pump I have now, if that pump fails I could be screwed if I do that.

What would be a good size for this area? 11 3/4" x ??

[e_baer]

I am guessing 11.75" from front to back?

If so I would think nothing less than 7-8" side to side.

Mine is around 8" and have no problems.



Wait, and why would you be screwed?

[Lowej82]

looking at the footprints of some return pumps on marine depot I think I could get by with 5" or 6"

[xrock06x]

i use a 40 long for sump/fuge for my 180 and my return zone is in the middle and it measures 12x18 running a mag 18 i have no issues might want to check out link below

Melevsreef.com | Acrylic Sumps & Refugiums

[aquasalt]

My understanding is that you will want to make the return section as large as possible to avoid problems associated with evaporation.

[pogodzib]

If you have a reliable auto top off (ATO) system in place, your return section only needs to be a big as the pump you have (or plan on having) in it. If you don't have a reliable ATO system, your pump section will be the section of the sump that fluctuates as the water evaporates, so you'll need to make sure that the section is large enough that as the water evaporates, your pumps won't end up running dry. Keep in mind that generally, the return pump section of the sump usually only has about 8"-12" deep of water in it during normal operating conditions. You can make it taller, but you need to make sure that when the power goes out, your sump won't overflow from the extra water comming back down from the tank.