DIY Filter idea, looking for critiques

[wickette]

Due to a series of major health issues and injuries my 75g tank w/29 sump was put on hold for months. Im back at it and had some time to come up with some ideas. The variations on my idea all seem particle, less ugly. easier to hide, and less expensive than other filters DIY or otherwise. It makes me think there is a a major flaw i cant see.


My initial idea was to put sump at the level with the aquarium, use multiple small syphon tubes to make sure the water lever is the same in the sump as the tank The only quirk this filter has is; to match a 800gph pump, you need 5x 1/2 siphon pipes, larger pipes would not have the drop distance to reach full flow. BIt this can be done on the cheap with one 1/2 pvc Uipipe, and two 1/2" clear vynil tubes zip tied to each to to keep shape. It would in everyway work like a sump without needing wasted overflow volume or plumbing.

The idea built on that was to use the HOB filter approach to plumbing.. Set up the sump 2" above the main tank. Use a single tube attach to the pump as input. dril 2x 1" bulkheads to the top of the sump tank to allow the water to over flow bak into the tank. Youd need to drill a small hole on the intake tube near the surface, If the water level drops, the pump starts sucking in air. (this would only be an issue if both out put holes get clogged, just one hoke is ore than enough).

Im going with the second build unless someone can find a flaw with it. Im still seaching for a rigid platic container that can be used, I dont love the idea of drilling a 10g tank.
.

 

[Mandelstam]

Here are my thoughts and take them for what they are, just thoughts from an not very experienced reef keeper...

First, what are the reasons behind you not wanting the sump underneath? No space, easy access, display sump/fuge, ..., ? Because I'm not entirely sold on the ideas you present with only the arguments you mentioned (less plumbing, less overflow volume). To me those things are not really a big issue, not a big enough issue to move away from a traditional sump anyway. I can definitely see the point of raising up the sump because of access issues for people with mobility issues or if you want to make like a display refugium or something like that. But to save on some plumbing supplies? Not really.

The first idea you mentioned seems too risky for me, all depending on hope-to-god-they-don't-fail-siphons. Second idea looks safer and a lot like those separate refugiums people hook up to their sumps. If I would be doing this build I would probably turn the 10g into a nice macro algae tank...

Anyway, I love watching DIY builds and what people come up with so keep us updated! Success or failure, it's all lessons learned and gained experience.

 

[Billdogg]

I'm trying to figure out how you expect a siphon to work. Last time I checked, they need gravity to function. With the tanks at the same level, there can't be a siphon, so no flow.

 

[ss30]

So in the second option your having the pump in the 75g tank to get water into the 10g tank?

 

[motortrendz]

The siphon wont work if the tank is higher or even. The levels will equalize or flow backwards draining you fuge. If your gonna do a gravity feed back into your tank use a small pump like a maxi jet or something equivalent to pump up to the fuge.. also make sure theres a syphon break incase of power failure

 

[Silent]

Bottom looks the same as a large hang on the back filter. Like ones for freshwater (aquaclear or something similar).

 

[Billdogg]

The siphon wont work if the tank is higher or even. The levels will equalize or flow backwards draining you fuge. If your gonna do a gravity feed back into your tank use a small pump like a maxi jet or something equivalent to pump up to the fuge.. also make sure theres a syphon break incase of power failure

Although that sounds like a possible solution, trying to match the flow between two dissimilar pumps - or even to "identical" pumps is pretty much impossible, especially long term. They will wear and build up gunk unevenly, too much water will end up in one tank or the other, and eventually you will overflow onto your floor. This will make (in my case at least) the wife exceedingly unhappy.

 

[GlassMunky]

Although that sounds like a possible solution, trying to match the flow between two dissimilar pumps - or even to "identical" pumps is pretty much impossible, especially long term. They will wear and build up gunk unevenly, too much water will end up in one tank or the other, and eventually you will overflow onto your floor. This will make (in my case at least) the wife exceedingly unhappy.

You misunderstand. Only one pump, in the display that pumps up to the fliter tank and then gravity drains it back to the display.
Only one pump

 

[Silent]

Pump up, gravity feed down. doesn't matter if sump is above or below the tank. Same concept just a personal choice of having the return pump in your display or in the sump.

 

[motortrendz]

Although that sounds like a possible solution, trying to match the flow between two dissimilar pumps - or even to "identical" pumps is pretty much impossible, especially long term. They will wear and build up gunk unevenly, too much water will end up in one tank or the other, and eventually you will overflow onto your floor. This will make (in my case at least) the wife exceedingly unhappy.

Not sure what your saying. I didn't say anything about using 2 pumps. Use 1 pump to pump up into the fuge and gravity will drain it back to the tank.

 

[wickette]

Woah lots of replies. Love it.

Here are my thoughts and take them for what they are, just thoughts from an not very experienced reef keeper...

First, what are the reasons behind you not wanting the sump underneath? ... But to save on some plumbing supplies? Not really.

The first idea you mentioned seems too risky for me, all depending on hope-to-god-they-don't-fail-siphons. Second idea looks safer and a lot like those separate refugiums people hook up to their sumps. If I would be doing this build I would probably turn the 10g into a nice macro algae tank...

The biggest benefit of this is that sump is at table height, much easier to do any kind of maintenance or adjustment to than on the floor and under a tank.
But to clarify the point about the plumbing, its not to save money, it removes 10 feet of potential failure points.

I much prefer the second design, but it involves drilling a thin walled tank-near the edge- twice. If I destroy a few ($9) 10g tanks attempting it, no big deal, its the only reason I chose that size. If it all goes well, Id make a 17g DIY acrylic tank for version 2 (18" x 10" x 22"), so it aligns with the 75g tank and only ads 10" to the overall lenth,

As for the siphons failing, all of my larger tanks are tempered glass Id be using an HOB overflow with a sump. Id have to lose siphon on all 5 for there to be no filtration.

I'm trying to figure out how you expect a siphon to work. Last time I checked, they need gravity to function. With the tanks at the same level, there can't be a siphon, so no flow.

The siphon wont work if the tank is higher or even. The levels will equalize or flow backwards draining you fuge. If your gonna do a gravity feed back into your tank use a small pump like a maxi jet or something equivalent to pump up to the fuge.. also make sure theres a syphon break incase of power failure

The comments regarding the first design. A siphon can climb appox. 32 feet (on earth). The water level destination has to be lower than the source. The amount lower depends on the diameter of the tube/pipe.
-1/2" tube will needs to drop 2" bellow water level to get full flow.
-1" needs to drop 9"
-2" needs to drop 36"
They will all get some amount of flow as long as there is any drop, but its best to have close to max flow to prevent micro-air bubbles from accumulating at the siphon's bend (which will cause the siphon to break)

IF the pump stops then the siphon will flow which ever direction needed to get the water levelsequilized.

So in the second option your having the pump in the 75g tank to get water into the 10g tank?

Bottom looks the same as a large hang on the back filter. Like ones for freshwater (aquaclear or something similar).

To both comments; yes. The flow design is no different than a 10 gallon freshwater HOB filter. BUT it will be baffled like a sump without any overflow space (doesn't need it because it will over flow back to the tank).

 

[lilgrounchuck]

It seems like you’re going for an aio style without the aio wall. Why not silicone in a piece of acrylic on the side to make it into an aio lagoon and forego the possible flood issues of your siphon idea?