30 gallon sump build

TheAquarian · Feb 11, 2018

Started a 30 gallon pvc sump today it’s 34” x 15” x 15” useing 3/8” pvc sheet stock.
This is the full-size layout

Step one box built and glued.

Pivitol · Feb 12, 2018

Following

Pivitol · Feb 12, 2018

Following

TheAquarian · Feb 26, 2018

Finished glewing in the baffles, also chose to go with silicone instead of pvc glue. This will give me the ability to change things around if needed. Filter socks will be here tomorrow so I’ll drill the holes for them and do a leak /flow test tomorrow night.

George Lopez · Feb 27, 2018

Looks very nice

Even Further · Feb 27, 2018

Cool build. I dig it.

DSC reef · Feb 27, 2018

Very nice build!

TheAquarian · Feb 27, 2018

Drilled the sock holder, leak tested and it’s running with MJ 1200 for a few days.

TheAquarian · Feb 27, 2018

George Lopez said:
Looks very nice

Even Further said:
Cool build. I dig it.

DSC reef said:
Very nice build!

Thanks, this the first part of a new tank stand I’m working on.

tlatix · Mar 5, 2018

wow i never knew they have pvc sheet. Local hardware carry them? I would love to build one. Question, how you joint them? Silicone or pvc glue?

Benga · Mar 5, 2018

How's silicones adhesion to PVC? i'd imagine is weak similar to acrylic no?
But dam I like the idea of a PVC sheet sump. How's the cost effectivness?

TheAquarian · Mar 5, 2018

tlatix said:
wow i never knew they have pvc sheet. Local hardware carry them? I would love to build one. Question, how you joint them? Silicone or pvc glue?

Benga said:
How's silicones adhesion to PVC? i'd imagine is weak similar to acrylic no?
But dam I like the idea of a PVC sheet sump. How's the cost effectivness?

I use it at work on a regular basis we get it from lumber suppliers. The Home Depot and Lowes in Connecticut Cary it on this prototype I did quick but joints which I used both pvc primer and glue with reinforced silicone inside. A silicone joint on its own is weak but if you scuff the face of the area your caulking it gives the silicone something to bite to and is quite strong. I plan to do a fallow up build with rabbited joints which will make pvc glue more effective. I chose to do a quick build to see how well it holds water and to test the layout. 4’x8’x3/8” sheet is around $97. I used scrap from work roughly a full sheet.

Ray Laneville · Mar 5, 2018

Love this sump build. I am just setting up my first tank. Bought setup used. 90 gallon. It came with an obsolete proclear 125 sump. By the time I put my return pump, skimmer pump and heater in there, it's cram full. I'd like to get these pvc boards and build in place in the stand and utilize all the space. My stand is still just the skeleton, would be easier before I enclosed it. Have to do some research, I'm not experienced in knowing what I need in there.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/rays-first-build.357737/

TheAquarian · Mar 6, 2018

Ray Laneville said:
Love this sump build. I am just setting up my first tank. Bought setup used. 90 gallon. It came with an obsolete proclear 125 sump. By the time I put my return pump, skimmer pump and heater in there, it's cram full. I'd like to get these pvc boards and build in place in the stand and utilize all the space. My stand is still just the skeleton, would be easier before I enclosed it. Have to do some research, I'm not experienced in knowing what I need in there.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/rays-first-build.357737/

You are on the right track, you really can’t go too big with a sumpuse all the space you can for it.

Ray Laneville · Mar 6, 2018

I'm thinking hard about buying a plastic welder. I think with pvc sheets and a welder, I would have the most versatility. I'm on my first build so want to check out other sumps before I build mine. Can you tell me what the different sections are designed for? Also, what is the purpose of the slots on top of the baffle?

TheAquarian · Mar 6, 2018

The first section is the water inlet this is where the tank water drains into the sump. The second is for the filtersocks and can also hold a prefilter sponge. The third section is where the skimmer and heaters are, next is the bubble trap the purpose is to stop any micro bubbles leaving the sump area. The fourth section is the refugeium the baffle leaving the refugeium has slots to 1 brake the surface of the water and promote gas exchange and 2 keep what’s kept in the refugeium from being washed into the return. There is also an spot for mechanical filtration leaving the refugeium if needed.

I havent thought about heat welding that may be worth testing.

Zoapro · Mar 6, 2018

How did you glue the pvc tank together I mean the sump itself not the baffles

TheAquarian · Mar 6, 2018

Zoapro said:
How did you glue the pvc tank together I mean the sump itself not the baffles

Clear pvc primer and pvc glue. I also siliconed the inside corners.

Ray Laneville · Mar 6, 2018

TheAquarian said:
The first section is the water inlet this is where the tank water drains into the sump. The second is for the filtersocks and can also hold a prefilter sponge. The third section is where the skimmer and heaters are, next is the bubble trap the purpose is to stop any micro bubbles leaving the sump area. The fourth section is the refugeium the baffle leaving the refugeium has slots to 1 brake the surface of the water and promote gas exchange and 2 keep what’s kept in the refugeium from being washed into the return. There is also an spot for mechanical filtration leaving the refugeium if needed.

I havent thought about heat welding that may be worth testing.

Thanks. What will you put in the refugium?