Sump Question

[Hotrod32487]

I have a feeling i am going to regret it if i dont add a sump to my 55 gallon like i did with buying a cheap light. My tank is tempered, but if that werent an issue, approximately how much would it cost to add a sump. Counting having it drilled, maybe a 20 gallon sump?, pump (used), plumbing materials etc. Just a rough estimate and nothing to fancy.

Also, if i dont sump, do you think ill regret it even though its just a 55g?

[caferacermike]

You can buy a cheap hang on overflow if not intersted in drilling.

[zerreissen]

I'm using an AGA 20 gallon long for the sump on my 55. You can get one for about $30, or find one used for about $10.
Since you can't drill your tank, you can get a hang on overflow like caferacermike suggested, Alamo Aquatics carries them, as well as Texas Tropical and Marine, they run around $50.
The drain tube will run you under $10, same goes for the return lines.
You need to figure out what kind of pump you want for the return. Prices vary on those.
Also, do you want a refugium?
Do you have a skimmer? And if so, is it something that will fit in your sump under your stand?

I would recommend a sump on a 55, it makes things so much easier.

[Hotrod32487]

Well i was thinking it wouldnt cost that much to sell my 55 gallon and buy another so i was thinking about doing that and drilling. hob overflow sounds pretty cool though so i dunno. I dont know anything about pumps so you tell me what i need. Just something that will get the job done i guess. I have a little prizm skimmer...so no...no skimmer lol Yeah i thought about putting a little fuge in their. That kind of stuff im pretty sure i could do myself (thanks Melev!)

[Flobex]

if it were up to me, i would deffinetly get a different tank, abnd drill it. i have a HOB overflow, and everytime the weatehr gets crappy, i always worry the power will go out, and if im not home when it happens, that could be a real mess. im regretting not drilling my tank, and im getting ready to do that, luckily i only have sand and water at this point.

[Louie3]

Dont want to steal this but is a 55g AGA temperd only on the bottom or every where?

[Ross]

I agree with flobex, the HOB overflow will eventually fail and you will have a flood...

[zerreissen]

Yeah, I guess I'd have to agree, if you can sell that tank and get a non tempered, then do it. Drilling will cost you $30-$40 a hole, depending on who you take it to. I recommend Jason at Aquarium Designs to drill your tank, he's got a high quality drill, and did a great job drilling my tank.

As far as pumps go, I'm running a Mag 12 on my tank, a Mag 9.5 would also work well. Many people also tend to recommend Eheim.

I'd ditch the Prizm skimmer and get something much more efficient. Depending on what kind of stand you have, you could use a hang on skimmer, CPR Bakpak or Aqua C Remora, or you could go with an in sump skimmer.

[Hotrod32487]

I knew that skimmer wasnt worth a darn. If i do get a sump i would get an in sump skimmer. From what i understand about drilling, wouldnt there be two holes? Building a diy sump would make another fun project anyways...

Any other suggestions on what pump i should use? or just what to look for in one (no idea)

[JimD]

Why not go sumpless?

[Hotrod32487]

Thats what im debating. It would be nice though to have a good skimmer and have it hidden below in the stand in the sump along with all the unsightly diy stuff i plan on adding. Also, i like the idea of having the fuge and adding chaeto and stuff to it. I have been leaning towards sumpless for a while now but the closer it comes to me setting up the 55 gallon tank, the more i worry im going to regret it and end up doing it later when its a lot more of a hassle. Id love to hear your opinion though JimD

[ackelley]

i did a fuge and a sump and it was cheap to build. 10 gal fuge tank 10$. The light i used the cheapo to gal light that the tank came with and put a florescent grow light in it and hung it from the ceiling 13$. Then i got a 30 gal tank for 30$ and a 350g/h pump 50$. Then i used acrylic sheathing to build my collum and the hang over the back overflow 40$ with weld on. Thin i wrapped it in tape this helps a lot with strength!!!!!!! as far as the outward force. that way it doesn't bow out and fail. Cheap and works great. Ow yah i drilled my 10 gal tank and that was 20$.

[LoneStar]

Dont want to steal this but is a 55g AGA temperd only on the bottom or every where?

It depends on the manufacturer. My old 55g (not sure which brand) had all the sides tempered, therefore you would not be able to drill any sides/bottom. ;)

[caferacermike]

I have a 125g freshwater with a dual 1,200gph HOB overflow set up for 2 years. I've lost power quite a few times but have never, never, had a problem with it. I've heard these "warnings" before but have not met anyone that has them set up properly have a problem with them. I say properly loosely because like anything in the hobby, if it's not set up properly you can have issues. Like when a friend of mine did not heed my warnings about sticking his return pipes so low in his 220g. He covered the hole I drilled in the retrun with putty because where he stuck it in the water it would sometimes gulp a bubble. Well one day he came home to 80g of water in his kitchen. So I don't care if your tank is drilled or HOB. They each must be set up correctly. That is the key, not blaming the box itself. Just like the next important piece of advice. Just stuffing a 10g under a 55 might not be a good idea. In the event of a power failure you could end up accidenlty overfilling it. Let's say you buy a nice skimmer and stuff it in the 10g. You run it with low water levels for a few weeks. Someone tells you 8" of water depth makes it work better. So you adjust the return pump aand add more water to the tank. Sure enough it works great. So you are now happy that your skimmer works better but forgot that you seriously limit the amount of back siphon water your sump can hold in a power failure.

So again we must take responsibility and make sure our equipment is functioning correctly and we have as many fail safes as possible.

[ackelley]

and also remember that the return hose if submerged will siphon water back into sump also.

[zerreissen]

and also remember that the return hose if submerged will siphon water back into sump also.

so drill a small hole just below the water line to break the syphon if the power quits.

[prof]

Congrats caferacermike on the lack of failures. Having 2 overflows creates redundancy which may be why you have had good luck. I have always said with a HOB overflow it is not if it flood, just when. If you don't get an airlock some devious snail will try to escape and clog the U tube. A drilled tank will reduce this risk of flooding.

You only have to have one hole if you don't mind running your returns over the edge of the tank. Don't forget the anti-siphon hole.

Properly designed you should have enough room for excess water to flow into your sump in case of power failure. A top off system will also help you keep the water levels correct.

Most tanks don't have tempered glass on the sides. It is more expensive and loses some clarity. I have used the dremel method on many tanks to drill a hole on the back, near the top. Then using PVC, create an overflow.

Make sure you have enough space under your stand to contain you desired sump size.

[Hotrod32487]

Most tanks don't have tempered glass on the sides.


How could i find out if my tank is tempered on all sides? Im just going by what Rnall told me when he sold it to me. (No disrespect Rnall)