DIY Sump Advice Please

[GrampsReef]

I've been looking at Trigger and other store bought sumps. I'm really handy and believe I can make one myself, but is that a financially wise choice?

It is for a new to me but used 110 gallon reef ready tank.

I am designing and building my own custom stand which means I can have the space I need. I plan on it being 36" tall.

I am leaning towards using my current 55 gallon tank and walling off a section of for an ATO system to add later. I would have to put shelves in the stand for the electronics.

I really like the features like a Sapphire Sump CR44 from Trigger Systems. So, it would be along those lines.

What are some pitfalls to avoid?

What are some key features in addition to the above Trigger to consider?

Thank for the inputs.

 

[Eric Cohen]

I've been looking at Trigger and other store bought sumps. I'm really handy and believe I can make one myself, but is that a financially wise choice?

It is for a new to me but used 110 gallon reef ready tank.

I am designing and building my own custom stand which means I can have the space I need. I plan on it being 36" tall.

I am leaning towards using my current 55 gallon tank and walling off a section of for an ATO system to add later. I would have to put shelves in the stand for the electronics.

I really like the features like a Sapphire Sump CR44 from Trigger Systems. So, it would be along those lines.

What are some pitfalls to avoid?

What are some key features in addition to the above Trigger to consider?

Thank for the inputs.

Those Triggers do look nice. I have some DIY sumps Im using, and pretty much anything could work.....Filter sock holders are cheap, and you can plumb any drop in pump....so what do you really need in a sump is the question? Other than it hold water

 

[Theulli]

I've been looking at Trigger and other store bought sumps. I'm really handy and believe I can make one myself, but is that a financially wise choice?

It is for a new to me but used 110 gallon reef ready tank.

I am designing and building my own custom stand which means I can have the space I need. I plan on it being 36" tall.

I am leaning towards using my current 55 gallon tank and walling off a section of for an ATO system to add later. I would have to put shelves in the stand for the electronics.

I really like the features like a Sapphire Sump CR44 from Trigger Systems. So, it would be along those lines.

What are some pitfalls to avoid?

What are some key features in addition to the above Trigger to consider?

Thank for the inputs.

I made my own sump for a 100g tank - custom stand to fit. You already nailed the big one - leave enough space in the stand for an ATO reservoir (and don’t forget making sure it won’t be a pain to fill it)

decide ahead of time what equipment you want in it so you aren’t faced with starting from scratch if you suddenly decide you want X

my sump was a simple three chamber 25g feeder tank with offset double walls made from acrylic sheets, so probably simpler than yours from the sound of it. Literally the only ingredients were the tank, four acrylic sheets, silicone glue, and an afternoon of swearing at the silicone glue

for the stand design don’t forget to take into account that you will be spilling water constantly. I stapled heavy duty plastic sheeting to the bottom of mine and then everything inside the stand is on top of slats so there is air flow. Also, I put doors on every side of the stand which is Awesome.

anyway it is totally doable and I encourage it - so many of these ridiculously expensive sumps amount to a bunch of glued together plastic compartments, and they also lock you into the design the sump maker thinks is best

 

[GrampsReef]

Those Triggers do look nice. I have some DIY sumps Im using, and pretty much anything could work.....Filter sock holders are cheap, and you can plumb any drop in pump....so what do you really need in a sump is the question? Other than it hold water

Thanks for the info. I have an HOB Filter, skimmer, and UV now plus a heater in the tank. I don't like all of the stuff hanging off of the back and sticking down into my tank. So, a sump will eliminate that.

 

[GrampsReef]

I made my own sump for a 100g tank - custom stand to fit. You already nailed the big one - leave enough space in the stand for an ATO reservoir (and don’t forget making sure it won’t be a pain to fill it)

decide ahead of time what equipment you want in it so you aren’t faced with starting from scratch if you suddenly decide you want X

my sump was a simple three chamber 25g feeder tank with offset double walls made from acrylic sheets, so probably simpler than yours from the sound of it. Literally the only ingredients were the tank, four acrylic sheets, silicone glue, and an afternoon of swearing at the silicone glue

for the stand design don’t forget to take into account that you will be spilling water constantly. I stapled heavy duty plastic sheeting to the bottom of mine and then everything inside the stand is on top of slats so there is air flow. Also, I put doors on every side of the stand which is Awesome.

anyway it is totally doable and I encourage it - so many of these ridiculously expensive sumps amount to a bunch of glued together plastic compartments, and they also lock you into the design the sump maker thinks is best

Great info. I use to make stands and canopies in the late 90's for a LFS. I'm getting back into it now and having doors on each end is in the design (I got good inputs from R2R). I'm trying to figure out if I want to leave the center support out of the front opening or just make the stand wide enough to get the sump in and out of the side door. I'm leaning toward the side door idea. Here is a screen shot of my new design.

 

[Snoopy 67]

Unless you want all the bells & whistles that can come with a custom sump you can make one for way less $$$$. Any standard rectangular tank will do, just get one a big as possible because they generally run around 1/2 full to allow for drain down on a power outage or maintenance.

 

[minorhero]

Using a 55 gallon tank can work fine. Depending on your design and needs you may or may not want baffles. If you do want them and are using a standard sized tank you can buy the baffles on eBay or Etsy. You may also want to consider using a filter roller instead of socks. With a 55 gallon tank you should have plenty of room to implement it.

 

[Theulli]

Great info. I use to make stands and canopies in the late 90's for a LFS. I'm getting back into it now and having doors on each end is in the design (I got good inputs from R2R). I'm trying to figure out if I want to leave the center support out of the front opening or just make the stand wide enough to get the sump in and out of the side door. I'm leaning toward the side door idea. Here is a screen shot of my new design.

That design Is extremely close to what I ended up with. Left out the center support because I wanted to be able to pull things in and out, and I also frequently am crawling around in there. The frame could probably support a lot more than the 100g with the wood we used so it didn’t feel necessary

 

[GrampsReef]

That design Is extremely close to what I ended up with. Left out the center support because I wanted to be able to pull things in and out, and I also frequently am crawling around in there. The frame could probably support a lot more than the 100g with the wood we used so it didn’t feel necessary

Looks like great minds think alike. LOL. Is that a 4x4 across the front? I am working on my design right now.

 

[Theulli]

Looks like great minds think alike. LOL. Is that a 4x4 across the front? I am working on my design right now.

yep 4x4s running around the top!

 

[AdamD76]

I used a kit from these guys. Jax Racks

 

[GrampsReef]

yep 4x4s running around the top!

The used 110 gallon I just purchased came with a pitiful stand. I was amazed how little support it had. It was just 3/4 plywood all the way around. I won't copy that.

 

[Theulli]

The used 110 gallon I just purchased came with a pitiful stand. I was amazed how little support it had. It was just 3/4 plywood all the way around. I won't copy that.

Honestly I am shocked by how rickety most assembly required stands are, especially considering the cost of failure.