Ray Laneville
Active Member
cool. where did you get the material? searching for it, can't seem to find it
30 gallon sump build
- Thread starter TheAquarian
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Ray Laneville
Active Member
Only place I found 3/8" white pvc sheets online is us plastics co. $154 for a 48"x48" sheet
Ray Laneville
Active Member
lowes here don't have it
Ray Laneville
Active Member
think I'll just find a used 20-30g tank and build with glass.
Ray Laneville
Active Member
My wife looks at the local facebook yard sale sites. I'll set her to find me one. I need to replace the glass canopy on the used 90g I am setting up. The glass from the old one will make the baffles
OP
OP
TheAquarian
Active Member
Ok, the prototype was a success. 2 weeks running and no leaks. While I was testing the build and doing research I decided to change the layout a bit and go with a Triton sump layout.
So here’s some pick of what I have so far. Bulk head locations routed out.
Started glueing the parts.
So here’s some pick of what I have so far. Bulk head locations routed out.
Started glueing the parts.
OP
OP
TheAquarian
Active Member
All glued up.
And we are water testing again!
This is the simplified version.
Total capacity 16”x14”x34” = 33 gallons.
Chamber 1 Refugeium 16”x14”x13-1/2” = 13.1 gallons
Chamber 2 Skimmer / heaters 8”x12”x14” = 5.82 gallons
Chamber 3 Mechanical filtering / return 8-1/2”x12”x14” = 5.82
Full running capacity is 24.75 gallons of added water volume, with 8.25 gallons of overflow area. This gives me 2-3 times more than I need for a loss of power or pump failure.
And we are water testing again!
This is the simplified version.
Total capacity 16”x14”x34” = 33 gallons.
Chamber 1 Refugeium 16”x14”x13-1/2” = 13.1 gallons
Chamber 2 Skimmer / heaters 8”x12”x14” = 5.82 gallons
Chamber 3 Mechanical filtering / return 8-1/2”x12”x14” = 5.82
Full running capacity is 24.75 gallons of added water volume, with 8.25 gallons of overflow area. This gives me 2-3 times more than I need for a loss of power or pump failure.
OP
OP
TheAquarian
Active Member
Victoria M
5000 Club Member
very cool.
McPuff
Valuable Member
This is awesome! I've been racking my brains trying to think of a good way to build a sump that has enough volume and fits in the space I have (120 gal). PVC might be a good option. I can see some deflection for sure. How rigid is this material? Do you think it can be used for a larger sump... say 50 x 24 x 20H? I'm assuming I would need to build in some baffles at least to improve structural strength. Even a few cross bars would likely go a long way toward strengthening it. Mine would probably only run at 10-12" depth at most (except when return is cut off). And I would be able to build it with one sheet I believe.
As for cementing the panels together... did you simply brush on the cement, then press together and tape? Then add silicone after it cured? If you have any additional pictures of the build process, I'd certainly love to see them. Very glad you posted this build!
As for cementing the panels together... did you simply brush on the cement, then press together and tape? Then add silicone after it cured? If you have any additional pictures of the build process, I'd certainly love to see them. Very glad you posted this build!
McPuff
Valuable Member
I wonder if gussets would help along the long end of the sump... basically just add a few triangle or "L" [internal] supports. Makes sense to me. Any structural engineers out there?
