Diy sumps

[klesel]

See a lot of high end sumps but I can't afford most of it found its easy and half to quarter of price buy acrylic sheets and cut and glue up your own not hard if u got carpenter skills and you can customize how you want your sumps reactors what ever you want to make . Find your local plastic shop and give it a try .

 

[143MPCo]

FWIW... at its most basic level a sump is nothing more than an additional tank/container, that said, ppl have been using the petco dollar gallon sales for years to pickup a super cheap tank that can be turned into a sump... without naming names, I know of a few reefers that use plastic storage containers to accomplish the same... both methods work (some better than others) and help to get someone that might not have the budget for an over-priced sump into the hobby.

 

[Rjramos]

I make my own sumps out of acrylic sheets. It's not difficult but you gotta know how and most important right tools. These are my main tools; table saw with carbide blade( the more teeth the better), jointer to clean up saw kerf, squares, clamps, mini router to cut excess and a torch gives a nice clear finish to your joints. It's not hard, but you will spend a day making even a small sump. And as we all know, "Time is money".

 

[klesel]

Ya true I find it fun and I always see sumps of different design but always something want different so started messing with scrap I bought cheep and found how easy it is to work with do a lot of woodworking so was easy to cut especially with a table saw . Iv built a calcium reactor sumps media reactors

 

[Pepcrylic]

The percentage of reefers that have the correct tools to work acrylic (I assume) is very small. Now throw into the works the percentage of them that have the funds, plus the skill and knowledge to produce a water tight vessel?????
Your typical regular "Joe Reefer" will end up with water on the floor, and one ticked off spouse.

 

[Josh Bayne]

I just posted my latest sump. Probably my 40th version. I like this one.

 

[Pete polyp]

You can get the acrylic cut to the size and shape you want at the glass shop. No need for any special tools. Home Depot even cuts acrylic to size.

 

[Josh Bayne]

Yes, I would suggest a local plastic shop, Google. Most are friendly and my local show even gives me weld on, and any scraps or extra plastic rhey have I might need. Got all my plastic cut for 40 bucks. Love my small local company's.

 

[Pepcrylic]

If you are going to build a water tight vessel ( tank or sump) be sure to buy cell cast acrylic. I use Pexi-G. Home Depot acrylic is not recommended for sumps or tanks.
Building a tank or sump with acrylic straight off the tablesaw is extremely risky!

 

[Fin]

Don't forget glass! Personally, I find it easier to work with. It's a lost art nowadays, but many of us old reefers used to build DIY projects with glass back in the day.

You don't need a lot of expensive tools. You only need a straight edge, a glass cutter, a Sharpie and a pair of cut run pliers. You can get all of that for $25 - $30. Get some scraps of glass and practice. It's not that difficult.

Or, you can also go to your local glass shop and they will be glad to cut your glass (1/4" plate is what I use) to size. Then all you need is some reef safe silicone and a little patience.

Here are some pics I took once when I was cutting a piece of glass. I have cut pieces of glass three feet long like this with just a squeeze of the pliers. All you need to dull the sharp edges is a quick pass with some sandpaper.

This is a nano sump w/refugium that I built from scratch out of glass a few years ago.

 

[Rjramos]

If you are going to build a water tight vessel ( tank or sump) be sure to buy cell cast acrylic. I use Pexi-G. Home Depot acrylic is not recommended for sumps or tanks.
Building a tank or sump with acrylic straight off the tablesaw is extremely risky!

I agree with you here! Above suggestions is how someone looking for know-how, runs into trouble. As stated, any joint bonded with saw kerfs on it will produce a weak and leaking joint, it might not happen now, but under the water pressure of months or years, problems. They do sell a hand scraper at the plastic shop that can smooth out the edges nicely, and it even rounds and tapers edges.

 

[Mike in CT]

Dollar per gallon sale and a few pieces from a glass shop makes a great cheap sump!

 

[drstratton]

Dollar per gallon sale and a few pieces from a glass shop makes a great cheap sump!

That's how we built my sump!

 

[klesel]

I agree I just posted again because a lot of people love doing there own design it's not for everyone but it's a since of being proud of building your own things and like a lot of people I can't afford all these high dollar equipment love the hobby but don't feel got to spend all my money on stuff I can do my self love the challenge and saying I did that and saved $$$