Adding a sump

[jaxteller007]

So I've seen a lot of people recommend adding a sump to my tank down the road. With us moving in 2 weeks I'd like to scope out areas to put the tank where this is possible. So I'm looking for as much information as possible at adding a sump to an existing tank without drilling. As close to plug and play as possible would be the best lol.

 

[JoshH]

Any particular reason you don't want to drill? Moving would be a perfect excuse to drain the tank and drill it If drilling really isn't an option my vote goes for a Lifereef HOB overflow.

 

[Deezill]

Do you have an overflow on your tank currently?

 

[jaxteller007]

Any particular reason you don't want to drill? Moving would be a perfect excuse to drain the tank and drill it If drilling really isn't an option my vote goes for a Lifereef HOB overflow.

Not super handy and doubt I have really any of the tools that would be required. Would rather just spend the money on a plug and play type set up. I figure between the tools and supplies I'd have to buy, and the chance that I screw it up, the gf would be happier to go the other route lol.

 

[jaxteller007]

Do you have an overflow on your tank currently?

Nope I'd be adding this from scratch. Currently just have a HOB filter and skimmer.

 

[JoshH]

Not super handy and doubt I have really any of the tools that would be required. Would rather just spend the money on a plug and play type set up. I figure between the tools and supplies I'd have to buy, and the chance that I screw it up, the gf would be happier to go the other route lol.

Any local tank manufacturers? They usually charge $10-20 a hole and it would still be cheaper than a HOB option. Only reason why I suggest drilling, regardless of the price involved, is the huge benefit of having an overflow with multiple redundancies to limit the potential of flooding. In lieu of that Lifereef has by far the best track record for not losing a siphon. So much so that Eshopps replicated Jeff's design. But aside from all that, I'd be willing to bet you're more than capable of drilling your tank with the right tools, plumbers putty, drill bit and some water are pretty much all you need. Plus a little patience

 

[jaxteller007]

Any local tank manufacturers? They usually charge $10-20 a hole and it would still be cheaper than a HOB option. Only reason why I suggest drilling, regardless of the price involved, is the huge benefit of having an overflow with multiple redundancies to limit the potential of flooding. In lieu of that Lifereef has by far the best track record for not losing a siphon. So much so that Eshopps replicated Jeff's design.

I actually think there is one near by because we were looking at buying a tank from them before we found our used one. Not sure how happy the gf would be about having to cycle the tank again but I might have to talk her into it. I assume we'd have to empty the tank out to drill it and start the cycle over again.

 

[JoshH]

I actually think there is one near by because we were looking at buying a tank from them before we found our used one. Not sure how happy the gf would be about having to cycle the tank again but I might have to talk her into it. I assume we'd have to empty the tank out to drill it and start the cycle over again.

How old is the system? Odds are your tank won't need to be cycled again. You will have to have an eye for a mini cycle but you need to be on the look out for that regardless if your moving.

 

[jaxteller007]

How old is the system? Odds are your tank won't need to be cycled again. You will have to have an eye for a mini cycle but you need to be on the look out for that regardless if your moving.

It was running for something like 6 months to a year when we bought it but we basically ended up starting over about 3-4 weeks ago. Everything was changed except the real reef rock.

 

[beaslbob]

For an overflow try building a hob overflow from pvc.

For a sump any storage container you can fit in the stand will do. And consider having the ling dimension for and aft with the aft part hanging behind the stand. That way you can probably use a larger sump and the hob drain can be straight down.

consider a separate container for a refugium. So that area stays full while the smaller sump area/container varies water level due to evaporation and topoffs. This can also be done by using smaller containers in the larger container to form a sump area.

Three adjustments:

1) no floods during power outages.

2) normal operation returns when power returns.

3) (and the one I forgot LOL) no floods when the overflow/drain fails. Sump should run out of water before display floods.

In making those adjustments be mindful of any reverse syphon from the display to the sump through the pumped return lines. Keep the display outlet above the display water line and/or drill small holes above water line pointing down. So during power outage air enter through that hole breaking the syphon.

If this seem complicated and even if not play around in the garage or driveway with a couple of containers and make those adjustments until you 1) understand what is going on and 2) you don't get floods. Much better to have floods there then in the living room.

my .02

 

[jaxteller007]

So i ended up ordering an HOB overflow and IceCap 24 sump set up. Going to start plumbing it tonight. Question about setting it up though. I have some Purigen to add to the sump, but do I need to add a bag of carbon or anything and if so where? Here are pics of the intake area for the sump and the section for my protein skimmer. #reefsquad

 

[Maritimer]

You don't have to add carbon, though many reefers choose to do so. Ideally, you want to place it so that water flows through it, without significantly blocking the flow.

~Bruce