Is a sump possible???

[Jkedra]

Hi, I was considering to make a sump for my 55 gallon setup, but space is limited. Could it still possible to have a sump and how should I begin?

Info/Dimensions:

55 gallon reef tank
Each cabinet square is 23 inches high, 22 inches wide.
The space between the wall and the in and out tubes from the fluval is only 1.5 inches.

(The white long cable running through both cabinets is the anenta cable to my cable box...I share the electrical setup with my aquarium and my tv.)

Sorry its a bit messy

 

[Triple R]

space is def limited but if you can move that whole stand setup over about 2 inches and then move the tank over another 3 you could probly fit aoverflow box on the left side and run it thru 1 hole and the return right next to it thru the other 1 and for a sump talk to Custom King he makes amazing acrylic sumps.

 

[batt600]

Is thats sea clone skimmer

 

[Jkedra]

Is thats sea clone skimmer

yes

 

[Anthony.Luciano710]

yea if you do decide to make a sump i got an extra overflow box for you.

 

[Jkedra]

From looking at those pics, would it fit on the top right corner?

 

[batt600]

you can put the overflow box on the side like your skimmer

 

[Jkedra]

Yeah it cant go anywhere else except on the side...The only problem im thing of now is the evaporation from the sump...Can I make a cover for my sump?

 

[Triple R]

yes just buy a acrylic sheet from home depot.

also read my first post im thinkin that would be the best way going about this.
the overflow box should be on the left side.

 

[Anthony.Luciano710]

yea and put the skimmer in the sump and that will fix your micro bubble problem

 

[tommy1618]

i have a small sump for sale with over flow, cheap if u want it

 

[Anthony.Luciano710]

if he puts the overflow on the right side he can run pvc around because i think the problem with moving it over is that it weighs about 800 pounds with water, sand, and rocks. also the indent of it on the furniture wouldn't look good when its moved over.

yes just buy a acrylic sheet from home depot.

also read my first post im thinkin that would be the best way going about this.
the overflow box should be on the left side.

 

[Jkedra]

agreed......

 

[Triple R]

yes but pvc with a lot of bends will make noise and the pump will lose head pressure.

you can also drill a hole thru the top of the stand and put the sump on the right compartment, and run the drain n return thru the holes

 

[125reefer]

i know someone who drills holes in tanks.pm me if interested.i think he builds sumps as well.probably can do all the pipe work to

 

[Anthony.Luciano710]

well the overflow can be on the right side and it wont affect the the head pressure because theres no pump needed and then the return can be on the left side since there is enough room for pipe just not an overflow box on that side.

yes but pvc with a lot of bends will make noise and the pump will lose head pressure.

you can also drill a hole thru the top of the stand and put the sump on the right compartment, and run the drain n return thru the holes

 

[Anthony.Luciano710]

ohhhh i have an even better idea. if ur putting a sump im guessing u are taking out the fluval so just use those pipes. get a pump and connect it to the fluval pipes then buy an aqualifter pump which is like 15 bucks and cut a very small hole in the very top of the siphoning tube and put an air tube in there and silicone it so its air tight then it will be just like an overflow box and if the power goes out the aqualifter pump will restart the siphon just like an overflow box would.

 

[Jkedra]

No cause due to the current drilled holes in the cabinet, I can't risk expanding them. The entire thing could collapse...I really would prefer all this stuff be done on the right side...

 

[Triple R]

I think the stand will be ok and even just to be on the safe side you can buy some 2x4 at home depot and make some extra support

 

[Jkedra]

Yeah the stand is very sturdy, I like that drawing btw...Also, what kind of protein skimmer should I use? I wanna upgrade from the sea clone. Do you know of any good skimmer that stands less than 22 inches high?