sumps

[mattstewart]

I'm looking to set up a sump and have started my research on the topic. Do most people just build there own from scratch? or do they buy them from somewhere? or do they use a tank and just modify it, adding in the different sections? Also how do you determine what size sump to make, is bigger usually better?

Thanks for you input.

 

[ricky1414]

The bigger the better. The solution to pollution is dilution is what I have heard. You can use a regular glass aquarium and section it off. That's what I did to save money.

 

[fredso2003]

I heard you should use like 1 gallon sump size for every 5 gallons of tank water,and ther are kits I saw on E-BAY,if that helps.........................

 

[danmhippo]

Bigger the better. But the cheapest is second hand glass tank, which ever that can squeeze into your cabinet. Section it off yourself or give it to an LFS or glass shop for a more professional finish.

 

[insearch]

I say build your own. This way you can make it any dimension you want. You can customize it to your needs. I built mine out of 1/4" Corian and faced it with 1/4" clear acrylic. Started with a 10 gal and then upgraded to a 14gal so I could have pump, skimmer, and filter all in one sump. The materials needed are redily available at Home Depot or lowes. Just make sure you use a good waterproof plastic or acrylic fusion glue.

 

[mattstewart]

when sectioning off an old aquarium, can you just attach acrylic pieces with some good silicon, and be done with it?

 

[mountainbiker619]

If you are just going to use the sump to hold equip, then why even bother sectioning it off.

 

[Baianotang]

If you can hide it get a rubbermaid holding tub, you can make it 100 gal or more. I love huge amounts of saltwater.

 

[insearch]

[when sectioning off an old aquarium, can you just attach acrylic pieces with some good silicon, and be done with it?]


Make sure that you use an aquarium safe silicone. Alot of you silicones these days have additives in them to help reduce mildew, such as GE silicone II, it is toxic to fish.[/quote]

 

[ChrisRD]

when sectioning off an old aquarium, can you just attach acrylic pieces with some good silicon, and be done with it?

Yup. :wink:

That's one of your cheapest/easiest solutions IMO. Although silicone is not really the adhesive of choice for acrylic, it works well enough for bonding it to glass in a case like this (ie. something non-structural).

Keep in mind that if you want to use an external return pump you'll need to have the sump drilled for the appropriate size bulkhead. Of course, if you just plan on using a submersible return pump, you can skip that step...

As for sump design/layout, you may want to do a search on the board here to see some pics/ideas of what others have done - this topic has come up a lot in the past. The DIY forum here at Reefs.Org is a good resource for this type of stuff as well.

HTH

 

[insearch]

Also just for thought I personally made my sump with sectional deviders. One section for the filter sock, underflow to small section for any bags of chemical filtration media, overflow to protien skimmer section, and then overflow to submersible pumpsection.
The only part of it I do not really like is the fact that I can't get decent preasure from my submersable pump. I have not figured out why this is because the rateing of the pump should be puting out like 750gal an hour but it does not. I have very few 90deg elbos in the system also. When this pump dies I will probubly go with an external pump. Anyone else out there got any ideas why this is?

 

[ChrisRD]

The diameter and length of the return lines will make a difference - small diameters and long pipe runs will result in higher friction/form losses. The types of fittings (as you mentioned) can also be a big factor. Of course, the vertical height that has to be overcome from your sump water line to the tank water line (ie. gravity head) is a big factor as well.

Then you have to consider that some of the manufacturers are a bit "generous" with their performance claims...

 

[mattstewart]

Also just for thought I personally made my sump with sectional deviders. One section for the filter sock, underflow to small section for any bags of chemical filtration media, overflow to protien skimmer section, and then overflow to submersible pumpsection.
The only part of it I do not really like is the fact that I can't get decent preasure from my submersable pump. I have not figured out why this is because the rateing of the pump should be puting out like 750gal an hour but it does not. I have very few 90deg elbos in the system also. When this pump dies I will probubly go with an external pump. Anyone else out there got any ideas why this is?

I've just been starting my research on it. Theoretically, should there be a difference between a submersible vs. external pump?

Under my stand a have room for about: 27"lenghtx11"widthx20"height which would be around 21 gallons if my math is correct. Is it better to put a refugium in? If a refugium is not used than i imagine, as mentioned above, that I use the chemical filtration media? Which is the best way to go?[/quote]

 

[insearch]

I personally do not have room for a refugium. And I even have my light ballasts overflowing to an adjacent cabinet because of room issues. My tank is set up as a show piece in my formal livingroom so all of my equipment is hidden. Nothing hangs on the back at all. The dimensions you give are very close to what I had. When I was planning my system I thought I would have enough room for everything. I obviously did not. I also oppted for a top of the line skimmer that is 1 step oversized for my tank. It has a large foot print compaired to an aqua C remora or a bak pak which is more sized to my tank. I had and am still haveing pump issues just bc I think it should be putting out more flow. Also research your pump very wizely, there are pumps out there that IMHO are pieces of junk. They are made more like a childs toy rather than a piece of usable equipment. I settled for a dolphin 900. Notice I said settled. When i first hooked this pump up i screwed the fitting in the return at the top of the pump and it split right on the seam. Now I work with pipeing and I no more got this thing close to hand tight and it split. Anyway I am rambling of the subject but unless you are planning to have a secondary cabinet or hang on the back (HOB) equipment I do not think you will have room for a refugium.

And I would not think there should a difference but I do know there are external pumps rated for higher running preasures.

 

[hillbilly]

Silicone is not that good at attaching acrylic parts. If you are using a glass aquarium for a sump, it would be better to use glass pieces and silicone them. Or use acrylic cement for acrylic to acrylic bonding.

 

[mountainbiker619]

All you need is a 100 micron filter sock as your mechanical filtration. I see no need for special compartments to hold specific media. Just pour your media, such as carbon, into its own mesh bag and drop it into your sump.

 

[WannaBeReefer]

I used silicone with acrylic in my glass sump and it holds just fine. Of course I lathered it up a bit. Just make sure its clean and dry before you apply.