6 Socks, Really!?

sbash · Nov 3, 2017

I recently purchased a complete system. I was more interested in the tank, livestock and other hardware, so I did not pay much attention to the sump... not that it would have been a deal breaker...

Anyway, it came with an 40 gallon acrylic sump. The seller's setup had the water flowing through the socks, to the fuge in the center chamber to the return chamber (which also had the skimmer in it).

Now, I am not a big fan of having the skimmer at the end of the sump; I usually put it at the beginning. I do like the size of the fuge and I need enough room for two return pumps (it is going to two different tanks). I might be able to fit the skimmer in the last chamber with the two pumps, but it will be tight.

Also, I am not a fan of socks, let alone 6 to maintain, lol... So, I would prefer to just remove at least four of the sock holes, I would be fine with removing all six if that is easier...

What is the best way to manipulate these acrylic sumps?

Would I be better of just selling it and building a glass pump to suit my needs?

Thanks!

Reef of Fillory · Nov 4, 2017

A handheld/trim router or a jigsaw should make it pretty easy to remove as many sock holders as you like. You could then move your skimmer to the first compartment, or move your refugium to the first compartment and put the skimmer in the second.

As far as selling, I personally feel that it's more work to make up your own glass sump. If on the other hand you can get a good amount ($$$) for this acrylic sump, like to DIY and have specific needs, it may be beneficial to build your own so that it's exactly how you want it

sbash · Nov 4, 2017

Reef of Fillory said:
A handheld/trim router or a jigsaw should make it pretty easy to remove as many sock holders as you like. You could then move your skimmer to the first compartment, or move your refugium to the first compartment and put the skimmer in the second.

As far as selling, I personally feel that it's more work to make up your own glass sump. If on the other hand you can get a good amount ($$$) for this acrylic sump, like to DIY and have specific needs, it may be beneficial to build your own so that it's exactly how you want it

Thanks for the response!

Yeah, just cutting it out would be simplest... Due to the lips, I could not get a clean cut with the jig saw; but I do have some saw blades for the various dremel type rotary tools that I have.

Flippers4pups · Nov 4, 2017

sbash said:
Thanks for the response!

Yeah, just cutting it out would be simplest... Due to the lips, I could not get a clean cut with the jig saw; but I do have some saw blades for the various dremel type rotary tools that I have.

I agree with you, I like having the skimmer in the first chamber. I'm also a big fan of making my own sumps to fit my needs.

Cutting the sock plate out could be done, but caution would be best as not to crack the sump walls.

Flippers4pups · Nov 4, 2017

Nice sump. Cutting it out with a Dremel and a cut off disk would work.

The heat from the cut off disk will cause the acrylic to melt and jam the disk as you are cutting, so be careful. Cutting across the top of the acrylic until thin and then going back over it would help the melting issues.

sbash · Nov 4, 2017

Flippers4pups said:
I agree with you, I like having the skimmer in the first chamber. I'm also a big fan of making my own sumps to fit my needs.

Cutting the sock plate out could be done, but caution would be best as not to crack the sump walls.

Excellent point! Okay, it is not worth it then...

I have a small 30 gallon sump that I can make work for now and I can order a 37 gallon, throw in a few baffles and I am off to the races...

Also, that DCS 9000 looks like a beast of a pump, so I may not need to use two pumps if I just crank it up and split it between the two tanks...

woodguy · Nov 5, 2017

be careful with a trim router or dremel, its easy to get away from you, causing further damage, i have always built my own sumps, lets you create what YOU need, could possibly get some good money for that sump

10Seconds · Nov 5, 2017

I wouldnt be scared to use the dremel. Should be fine. A 6 sock compartment seems crazy.

And I agree with keeping the skimmer in the first bay too.

I made my sump from a 40 gallon tank and it works well.

jsker · Nov 5, 2017

All good ideas, and the sell the sump would be the way I would go.

One thing as suggested, cutting acrylic with a roto zip, drimel and trim router is the speed. If one is going to attempt to cut acrylic one needs a variable speed router and a spiral up cut bit. There is on other way by using a die grinder with a large compressor and adjusting the speed with the air pressure

Cherub · Nov 5, 2017

Its worth more uncut and its not what you want anyway. Sell it and put the money toward a new sump IMO. Trigger systems have some nice sumps. Have you seen their Triton? I have an emerald on a frag tank, its perfect. I hate the skimmers at the end too

sbash · Nov 5, 2017

Thanks everyone for the input!

woodguy said:
be careful with a trim router or dremel, its easy to get away from you, causing further damage, i have always built my own sumps, lets you create what YOU need, could possibly get some good money for that sump

Agreed, I have built several sumps and done lots of glass work, this is the first prefabricated sump I have ever had... Based on the inflexibility, probably the last, lol...

jsker said:
All good ideas, and the sell the sump would be the way I would go.

One thing as suggested, cutting acrylic with a roto zip, drimel and trim router is the speed. If one is going to attempt to cut acrylic one needs a variable speed router and a spiral up cut bit. There is on other way by using a die grinder with a large compressor and adjusting the speed with the air pressure

Yeah, the 'roto zip' would be the tool I would use, I have little saw blades for it (picture tiny circular saw blades as opposed to the traditional drill bit style cutter).

But yes, I am going to sell it and build my own and get exactly what I need...

Denvercherub said:
Its worth more uncut and its not what you want anyway. Sell it and put the money toward a new sump IMO. Trigger systems have some nice sumps. Have you seen their Triton? I have an emerald on a frag tank, its perfect. I hate the skimmers at the end too

Exactly!