drilling bottom of sump

[ensano]

I have decided to build my sump in the basement and have the return go up to the first floor into a 56 gal cube.

I have a 40 gal trigger systems crystal sump that I bought second hand. I also recently purchased a ReeFlow Swordtail to get the water up the 12 feet needed.

My question is whether to drill the intake for my return pump on the bottom of the sump or the side.

I'm using a 2 inch bulkhead as suggested and I'm worried that drilling on the side would restrict my options when it came to desired water lvl.

I'm also thinking of plumbing the return pipe so that I can use it to drain for water changes with the turn of a couple valves. I'm estimating that the last baffle of my sump holds roughly 5 gal and the entire would likely be around 80 gal total (56 cube and 40 gal sump less rock, sump 2/3-3/4 high, etc)

I've also seen a couple pictures of external pumps connected though the side of the sump with a 90 elbow on the inside pointed down to create a lower water level.


thought?

 

[Fudsey]

Only thing I would say is make sure the bottom isn't tempered glass.

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

The only thing I can think of with drilling the bottom is the added stress of the water weight acting on the hole and connection. By removing material to make the hole you are also removing structural support, and if its acrylic this could potentially be a cracking point. Granted, 2" isn't a huge hole but it would still depend on how much water you would be keeping in the sump as to whether or not the weight of the water would be a huge issue.

If the hole is on the side then the force of the water would be reduced as compared to the bottom since a single panel of the sump does not support as much weight.

You'd also have to worry about suspending the sump on a stand or something in order to connect from the bottom. More added complexities to an already complex situation.

Can you make a diagram of what you're proposing? That may clear things up a bit.

 

[ensano]

Only thing I would say is make sure the bottom isn't tempered glass.

acrylic sump so that wouldn't be an issue

 

[ensano]

The only thing I can think of with drilling the bottom is the added stress of the water weight acting on the hole and connection. By removing material to make the hole you are also removing structural support, and if its acrylic this could potentially be a cracking point. Granted, 2" isn't a huge hole but it would still depend on how much water you would be keeping in the sump as to whether or not the weight of the water would be a huge issue.

If the hole is on the side then the force of the water would be reduced as compared to the bottom since a single panel of the sump does not support as much weight.

You'd also have to worry about suspending the sump on a stand or something in order to connect from the bottom. More added complexities to an already complex situation.

Can you make a diagram of what you're proposing? That may clear things up a bit.

yeah, that's what I'm worried about. The sump is going to be on a stand so that it's off the concrete floor about 24 inches and I was thinking of placing the return pump directly under the tank so it's returning straight up and plumb the 2inch intake the 2-3 feet it needs.

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

If it were my sump and I was drilling it, I would use a side panel. I just wouldn't chance the long-term reliability of acrylic with the weight of the water of a large reef system on a bottom panel hole.

 

[ensano]

If it were my sump and I was drilling it, I would use a side panel. I just wouldn't chance the long-term reliability of acrylic with the weight of the water of a large reef system on a bottom panel hole.

Well that settles it. Side it is