Help: Sump Specs and Cost w/ Skimmer?

[slapshot16]

I want to start getting the specs and costs for a sump. My plan is to use a 20 gallon long under my 55. There are no bulkheads in the 55.

I think I need the following:

20 gallon long
Skimmer/Overflow: How big? Flow Rate?
Protein Skimmer: Looking for recommendations. In sump.
Return pump: Flow Rate? External? Submersible?
Misc. PVC, fittings and valves.

Do I need baffles/walls? Are there any devices available short of using silicone and creating my own? Are the pre-made sump and skimmer combos worth it? Priced around $200 plus the return pump.

 

[Anonymous]

A 20 long would probably be fine. If it were me I would get a HOB overflow of atleast 600gph. A euroreef CS80 would be a nice choise for a skimmer. Their are other skimmers that would also work. Return pump if you want internam a MAG7 or Mag9.5 would be nice. For external a panworld would also work. On the plumbing you will need a ball valve on the drain and return A union between the pump and tank would be helpful for servicing the pump. If the tank is not drilled you may be better to go with a submersible pump. You will need baffels. Using glass pannels and silicone is the best way in my opinion. I would not get a sump/skimmer combo. I do not recall any comming with good skimmers.

 

[Anonymous]

the mag drives are wonderful pumps and that is also the way i would go if you dont have a way to install a bulkhead in your sump. i think the euro reef skimmers are also great but a little on the pricy side. mabe an urchin will work for you or a diy skimmer would be good to. the needle wheel pumps are everywhere if your infor a project.

 

[spaulr]

As previously posted, the 20 gallon should be ok. As far as turn over goes I'd shoot for around 5x the tank volume. Raising the sump turn over will increase the amount of noise.

I'm using an AquaC 90 on my 40 gallon. Works great. The 90 isn't made anymore, but AquaC makes great products with very good customer support(which is key IMO).

Take a look at the pump and head calculators here.

http://reefs.org/pumps/
http://reefs.org/library/pumps/

They really helped me figure out what size pumps to get.

I think 1" schedule 40 will work good for most applications for a tank your size. I like schedule 80 for in tank returns because its grey (but the price is double or triple for fittings ). It really depends on what you want to keep in your tank. this starts getting into overall flow rates etc....

 

[spaulr]

Schedule 40 and Schedule 80 are types of PVC pipe. Sorry if I wasn't clear about that.

 

[Anonymous]

the aqua-c ev-90 is no longer around but the same basic model is now called the ev-120 its a little bigger not much but all the better if you plan to upgrade later. think they even use the recomended mag-5 to drive them. as for a skimmer i think it would work great, if that is in the budget.

 

[slapshot16]

Thanks all.

 

[slapshot16]

I can't fit anything other than a 10 gallon in my stand :evil: . I was at the LFS trying different aquariums - long, short, tall - they don't fit with the center support beam.

I really want to have a sump. I am considering a HOB skimmer, but that adds to the stuff I am trying to hide. Suggestions? Tupperware?

 

[spaulr]

You could always do a DIY custom sump that fits to the space you have in your stand, maybe even spans the support beam by PVC. So, you'd have 2 sumps (well, kinda).

I just ordered some 1/4" custom cut acrylic from

http://www.delviesplastics.com/ACRYLIC%20SHEET.htm

I ended up ordering pieces for a sump that'll hold ~20 gallons + a bunch of dividers for bubble reduction, partitioning, testing, etc. They charged $25 for cutting the pieces. I'm going to "weld" them myself. DIY is the way to go. I got quoted $250-300 for a custom sump of the same size with 1 bulkhead. Crazy. A pic of the inside of your stand might help others come up with a good sump solution.

HTH

 

[slapshot16]

I will take some pictures of the dimensions. In the meantime, here is the current set-up.

 

[fload]

Rubbermaid always has a "sump" that fits lol I'm building one right now that sits outside of tank and just holds skimmer and heater and a cpr in-tank refugium/ safehouse (just cause its laying around) its nice cause I can cut the lid and install cooling fans and reduce noise I'm gonna try to have it up and running this weekend ill up some pics overall I think the sump cost me 300$ I built my own overflow weir...

 

[slapshot16]

Progress is finally being made. The plan is to use a 29 gallon aquarium as a sump. It will sit on the floor next to my aquarium. I may elevate it with blocks about 1 foot or so. Here is what I have narrowed my choices down to:

20 long or 29 gallon: $25 - $50
Overflow/surface skimmer: CPR $88. Life Reef (rated 700 gph): $109.
ASM Mini Skimmer: $99.
Mag Drive 700: Cost ??? Need help on this.
Misc. hoses and connections: $30.
Total cost: Less than $300.
Wife agreeing to all of this on the floor and not in the stand: Priceless.

 

[bwmalloy]

Get a EuroReef skimmer! Most bubbles of all of them and easy to clean.

 

[cindre2000]

Go with the ASM Mini!

I have it in my rubbermaid sump underneath my 30 gallon acylic cube. Easy to clean and pulls out a whole lot of gunk. You just have to make sure that the water level does not change a whole lot where it is placed. Everytime I top off the sump, the skimmer goes haywire; I cannot wait till I get my 20L and put in a skimmer compartment. Have to wait 2 months though.