Adding a Sump to an AIO

[thomas_neil]

So, I currently have a JBJ 20-gallon AIO and a 75 gallon with a sump that's too small for it. I was able to pick up a used sump for the 75 that properly fits but not I have this sump that would be perfect for my 20 gallons.

Is there any way I can put the sump on the AIO to help with stability and be able to get some gear I don't currently have on the AIO like a skimmer on it?

The only way I can think to do it would be to drill a drain and return or put a hang on back over flow on it. Would this cause issues between the baffles though and I'm not sure how I would run the return?

I was also thinking I could turn the tank sideways and run a hang on overflow and return over the back side and still use the back chamber as a mechanical/biological filtration and use the sump for the extra water/top off/ skimmer/dosing.

Has anyone ever added a sump to an AIO tank before?

 

[Kmarshall168]

Could drill for drain and return then remove the baffles and make the back of it even more space.

 

[thomas_neil]

Could drill for drain and return then remove the baffles and make the back of it even more space.

Ill have to look at how the back filter chamber is attached. If its silicone should be pretty easy to remove. I'm not sure how much I want to cut up the tank.

 

[BanZI29]

is the separation wall plexi or actual glass? If it's Plexi, you can remove it, gain some display space and drill for an overflow. I am actually considering the same thing and making a 20 gal sump too.

 

[Kmarshall168]

Maybe use it as a refugium if the sump doesn't have enough space

 

[thomas_neil]

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This is the tank and the sump I want to put on it is an eshopps nano sump.

 

[thomas_neil]

is the separation wall plexi or actual glass? If it's Plexi, you can remove it, gain some display space and drill for an overflow. I am actually considering the same thing and making a 20 gal sump too.

I believe that back panel is plexy glass, or some sort of plastic.

 

[BanZI29]

I believe that back panel is plexy glass, or some sort of plastic.

great. that way you won't have to worry about breaking glass.

 

[reefsUP2]

I did it with a Jbj 28 years back I removed the aio silicone and panel then drilled a 1” & 1/2” hole in the back wall panel be very cautious as the glass is thin.
Added bulkheads then has my local acrylic shop make a 2 piece overflow box soap that together with #16 glue or let them seal it then silicon it all back and your good.

 

[reefsUP2]

slap that together ^

 

[thomas_neil]

I did it with a Jbj 28 years back I removed the aio silicone and panel then drilled a 1” & 1/2” hole in the back wall panel be very cautious as the glass is thin.
Added bulkheads then has my local acrylic shop make a 2 piece overflow box soap that together with #16 glue or let them seal it then silicon it all back and your good.

My wife wants to take over the tank as a starter and make it a tank she can start taking care of. The small water volume and no skimmer is challenging with parameters is the main reason I want to do this, to make it easier for her on her first tank and set her up for success.

I might look into this because I hate the way hang on back over flows look in the back of the tank.