DIY Sump

[reefreak]

well i have a 20 gallon that i want to make into a sump for my 55 gallon build i just don't know what to do? are their any good videos that will help? anything will help just leave me a tip or some links thanks.:confused:

[txg8gxp]

A glass sumps build is pretty easy, just need some pieces of glass cut and some ge silicone 1, the hard part is figuring out how you wanna build your baffles/etc. There are several DIY sump plans available online

[reefreak]

yeah i dont really want nothing fancy just something simple

[txg8gxp]

What are you looking for, skimmer, fuge, filter sock, etc? If your good at using cad type programs, download google sketchup, its free and is a good program, you can design the entire sump before starting to build

[reefreak]

Yeah that's exactly what I was going to do but I was simply going for a wet dry

[txg8gxp]

I personally would keep the build simple and go with a 3 chamber setup versus a wet/dry, 1st chamber for skimmer and water from tank, 2nd for a fuge, 3rd for return pump

[reefreak]

Yeah that's what I ment but just not the skimmer I have a hang on one

[txg8gxp]

Then it sounds like a simple build to me, one baffle... one side for water input/macro and second chamber for return pump. Glass is pretty easy to cut, you can get small sheets of glass at lowes/homedepot along with a cheap glass cutter and the silicone. Just make sure it's ge silicone 1, you don't want any bathroom type stuff, they have added mold chemicals in them

Yeah that's what I ment but just not the skimmer I have a hang on one

[reefreak]

So just a 2 chamber sump?

[txg8gxp]

It just depends on what you want to use a sump for, first you need to figure out what you want in the sump.

[reefreak]

As in macro algae? Or media?

[reefreak]

Well I was just going to do a basic filtration

[stompylee]

Consider first what you have (or will have) in your tank or look at any problems you had that could be solved by the configuration. For me, I wanted a refug and the ability to reduce evaporation and nitrates, which is why mine has tops where I can use then especially over my refug. You should also consider space and then some for each section. Better to leave room for use later then need one inch to get that new return pump installed. I have about a 37 gallon sump under my 110 but at least 15 of it is just for the refug.

As far as which design, that's a personal choice. Each has it's good and bad. Mine has a wasted/non useful space because of the overhang refug. Still my Chaeto never goes dry, and I don't have algae all over my sump.

I would also be concerned about the overflow box since it doesn't sound like you have one now. Its one place that can cause two major problems... One reverse siphon when the pump is off. This can cause a flood from the sump... easily solved by a siphon break hole in the return nozzle just about the water line so air can break the siphon (use a nail on the plastic ones to make a hole or a drill if you must). Other one is a block/siphon break in the overflow box. The pump will either run dry or this will cause the sump to flood the tank. Cpr Continuous Siphon Overflows mostly solve that, but can cost some $$$. I never had a flood with my old tube one, but I had some close calls with air building up in the siphon hose.

HTH.

[reefreak]

so what do you suggest on the over flow?

[CoryDude]

Do a search on youtube for diy aquarium sump. That's where I got my idea for a 3 chamber sump.

[reefreak]

yeah well i actually have ace helping me with a design

[stompylee]

so what do you suggest on the over flow?

To remove the overflow issue, most people drill the tanks or go with a built in overflow. It was one of the major reasons why I switched tanks. Since you are adding it may not be an option but it solves the major problem of siphon issues.

When I installed my first basic overflow and tube, I had someone smarter then me show me a neat trick. Buy any airline tube about 1 or 1 1/2 foot long... (longer is better because you can trim it later). Get a medicine squirter or a injector without the needle and make sure it can fit the tube. (I asked Walgreens for my first one and upgraded to a big turkey one later). Insert the airline into the tube so it in one side and turn to go past the other (like a reverse J). Once you installed the overflow, the tube will help you get the air-bubbles out. Couple of things... it must stay attached at all times when not in use. Otherwise air gets in there. Pull to fill the tube with water/air, them pinch the tube, remove the injector, squirt the mixture into the back of the box/tank and attach it back to the tube. Keep repeating this process till air is out. You may have to pull and push the line around the tube to get at the air, or tap around the U tube to get air where you can suck it out which is the reason for the extra bit. That a $10 dollar solution if you don't have those parts.

You can exchange the injector for a Aqua Lifter, just rig it the same way with the out in the overflow box. Either way, its cheaper than the CPR solution and you will notice they recommend an Aqua Lifter with theirs. Its kind of a set it and forget it but keep an eye on that U tube. It should be apart of your regular checks. You can install a set of float valves that can turn off the tank if water rises above the overflow box or over you max fill line for your sump. Both of those events should kill power to the return pump at the least.

[mbrang00]

While doing the build I highly recomend incorperating micro bubble baffles...(.02)