75 gallon reef tank building a sump

[johns]

If I want to go a seperate route and just build my own sump sytem for the 75 gallon reef tank what should I do.

is it as simple as:
1) buying an empty tank ('m unsure of the right size...say, 20G?)
2) partitioning it into 2 compartments using a piece or plexiglass (10G/10G, or 12G/8G, or 14G/6G?)
3) feed the raw water from tank overflow into compartment 1 and place a good skimmer in said comparment to skim this raw water
4) let the water in compartment 1 (hopefully, well-skimmed) overflow into compartment 2
5) place a return pump into compartment 2 and return water to tank through pre-drilled return tube

Johns

 

[Anonymous]

It's not that complicated even. It can be as simple as:

Container of water. (Rubbermaid tub, or 20-30 gallon tank; whatever fits in your stand.)
Submersible return pump
Skimmer


All the water is coming and going to the same place, so the compartments aren't really necessary either.

Occasionaly, the skimer may put micro bubbles in the system, in which case some baffles might help in keeping them from getting into the main tank.

Your main problem is gettin the water to drain into the sump without the possibility of it overflowing by siphon if you lose power.

 

[johns]

As far as the tank overflowing, I'm thinking you should only be able to remove the amount of water from your main tank until it falls below the overflow chamber (this is assuming it is pre-drilled and has overflow chamber). So you just have to make sure the container holds that volume of water. Is this correct?

Using your single container, no compartment system: Is there any concern that you arent really skimming off all the raw water, and just skimming a portion (or skimming and then re0skimming the same water) and returning most of the raw water to the main tank via the return pump? That's why I was thinking about compartments.

If it's a large tank with single compartment - would it be better then to keep the skimmer way on one end and the return pump way on the other end, to avoid the problem of bubbles you mention.

Is this really a design that many people use that works well?

 

[Anonymous]

As far as the tank overflowing, I'm thinking you should only be able to remove the amount of water from your main tank until it falls below the overflow chamber (this is assuming it is pre-drilled and has overflow chamber). So you just have to make sure the container holds that volume of water. Is this correct?

If it's pre-drilled, you don't have to worry about it. The danger in overflowing due to siphon is in the hang on type overflows. Which is why I recommended earlier that if your tank isn't drilled a hang on skimmer will be less headaches than a hang on overflow with in sump skimmer.

If the tank is drilled the siphonm will break automatically, when the power goes out.

Using your single container, no compartment system: Is there any concern that you arent really skimming off all the raw water, and just skimming a portion (or skimming and then re0skimming the same water) and returning most of the raw water to the main tank via the return pump? That's why I was thinking about compartments.

Not really. Those pumps really turn the water over so the danger of that is pretty minimal.

If it's a large tank with single compartment - would it be better then to keep the skimmer way on one end and the return pump way on the other end, to avoid the problem of bubbles you mention.

Yep, that works too. Or having the skimmer discharge onto a sponge, or anything to break the bubbles up before they get sucked up into the main tank.

Is this really a design that many people use that works well?

Yep.

 

[Anonymous]

If the return rate on the pump is high, there is no advantage in making sure the skimmer process as much of the water before it pass thru to the other compactment. It is kind of counter-intuitive, but with high return rate, the water everywhere on the system is homogenous, so it does not matter where is the skimmer... got it?

it is important that you don't over fill the tank so that when the electricity is off, the water will overflow the sump onto the carpet. You got this idea, but I just want to reiterate it.

I use single compartment sump. And it is true that sometimes multiple compartment will help with bubble that return to the display tank.

 

[johns]

Do you know of anywhere online where I can find simple, easy to follow instructions for making a DIY sump like this. Something simple, just using rubbermaid or an old tank. Maybe insructions for putting a compartment in place in case you want to try a couple different things.

Also to figure out the right size of tanks/compartments to use and the right pump ratings to use for the return and to drive the skimmer so as to not run into problems.

 

[hsosa]

I added a sump to my hundred gallon. The return pump I used is a MAg9500. with a valve. You should use a tee fitting use two 3/4 return lines to your main tank. using a rubbermaid tub would be the cheapest way. Get a in-sump skimmer . I used the Urchin Pro model works great for me. The main tank I use a Lifereef overflow. Ive had no problems with overflows. its a pretty straight forward setup. Make sure you have a back up pump in case your return pump fails.

 

[Saltykirk]

If you make the returns out of pvc or buy the plastic ones, you can drill a very small hole pointing downward @ the water line, right above the water line. This will break siphon in case of power outage. I have never had a problem w/ the overflow box flooding my sump it has always been back siphon through the main pump. Clear Rubbermaid tubs rock for sumps. Don't build partitions in glass tanks out of plexiglass, it will bust eventually. Different rates of contraction & expansion.