Adding a sump to existing 40 gallon breeder

[live2reef1998]

I have a 40 breeder that has been up and running for quite awhile now. I'm trying to figure out the best way to take out my little 5 gallon sump and throw in my 20 gallon sump with big fuge and not throw my parameters way off. Any advice or help is greatly appreciated.

 

[Ron Reefman]

Plan out how you are going to do it before you start.

What is in your current sump?
What will be in the new sump?
Will you be changing the return pump or any of your existing plumbing?
Why do you think making the change will throw your water parameter way off?

Shut down the drain flow to the sump and the return pump. Drain the sump. Pull the old sump out. Put the new sump in, put new water in the new sump. start the drain and the return pump.

Hope that helps a little. Ask questions and I'll try to help. Following.

 

[Retro Reefer]

driving your nitrate and phosphate to detrimental levels with the fudge would be the only risk, simply swapping one sump for the other should have minimal effects.

 

[Gareth elliott]

I just did this too!
Switched my diy sump for a new one not too long ago.

For parameters make 30 gallons of nsw that matches your tank .

To appease the household gods buy some towels from walmart, and the 30 gallon trash can to make the water.

I made a mess doing this even with having unions, shutoff valves on my pvc to start. So if doubting your towels buy more [emoji4]

old sump

New sump after detaching pvc

 

[live2reef1998]

Plan out how you are going to do it before you start.

What is in your current sump?
What will be in the new sump?
Will you be changing the return pump or any of your existing plumbing?
Why do you think making the change will throw your water parameter way off?

Shut down the drain flow to the sump and the return pump. Drain the sump. Pull the old sump out. Put the new sump in, put new water in the new sump. start the drain and the return pump.

Hope that helps a little. Ask questions and I'll try to help. Following.

This is the current sump

 

[live2reef1998]

Plan out how you are going to do it before you start.

What is in your current sump?
What will be in the new sump?
Will you be changing the return pump or any of your existing plumbing?
Why do you think making the change will throw your water parameter way off?

Shut down the drain flow to the sump and the return pump. Drain the sump. Pull the old sump out. Put the new sump in, put new water in the new sump. start the drain and the return pump.

Hope that helps a little. Ask questions and I'll try to help. Following.

Because of the size difference of the sumps I will have to add more water

 

[Ron Reefman]

Because of the size difference of the sumps I will have to add more water

Yes. Do you make your own water? With ro/di water? Or do you buy it from an LFS?