HELP!! No emergency I just lost with my sump build..

77pm77 · Apr 21, 2012

Hi.. Ok I just purchased a 28 gal cube and now Im trying to build a sump/ refugium. I have limited space under this tank and I have plexyglass at work so I will
try and build it myself to save $$ for other Items I cant make like fish and live rock!

I have cut pieces already and it will be 16Lx14Dx11h that will take up most of the space under my tank!! I have looked at many plans online and I have an idea of what I should do but Im not 100 % sure. The best part of this sump will be that I will have more water in the system for a more stable tank. I HOPE!! Now How do I know what my water flow is coming in and what pump to buy? Its a little scary because I dont want a flood in my house.. Can you adjust the input flow? And can you adjust the pump output? See I told you I was LOST!! Well I guess the only thing I kind of know now is what my little sump should look like and what glue to use. The set up will be an intake area with the skimmer then a divider to the refugium then a bubble trap to the pump area.. Does that sound right?? Please help.. Thank you.. Patrick :bigsmile:

Madreef · Apr 21, 2012

I would suggest setting up a 1" BH at minimum 3/4" for the drain. You can then get a 75-150 gph pump for your head pressure from the sump. You can drill another hole for the return or just run it in flex and use street 90s to make it just hang on the side of the tank. It just depends on how tricked out you want to make it. I've never messed around with small tanks too much because I know I'll be getting rid of them or going bigger eventually.

This hobby has a way of making you want bigger and more once you've found your niche.

I'm sure you'll find a lot of info when you search out DIY sump nano tanks.

Steven R · Apr 21, 2012

look into the esshops rs-75 It will fit into the cabinet so you can get a basic outline for design.. good luck

Steven R · Apr 21, 2012

Heres a pic of mine..

77pm77 · Apr 21, 2012

Thank you for the info.. Nice tank!! And I know about wanting to go bigger but the funds just wont be there for awhile!! I just got divorced and its not cheap!! THX again!!

blurry · Apr 22, 2012

if the tank is 18" by 22" then 2" (good ballpark number) of drain when the retun pump is off will be about 3.4 gallons. This is about 4" of a 16x14" sump. if the sump is 11" high you need to keep the baffles at MAX 7", and that is skating the edge. Personally I like 9" baffles so i would consider a taller sump. if you have a skimmer in mind that is in-sump read up on the water level it is made to run at - a lot of skimmers don't run well at 7", there are some that do. I'm more experienced in larger systems, so adjust accordingly

77pm77 · Apr 22, 2012

blurry said:
if the tank is 18" by 22" then 2" (good ballpark number) of drain when the retun pump is off will be about 3.4 gallons. This is about 4" of a 16x14" sump. if the sump is 11" high you need to keep the baffles at MAX 7", and that is skating the edge. Personally I like 9" baffles so i would consider a taller sump. if you have a skimmer in mind that is in-sump read up on the water level it is made to run at - a lot of skimmers don't run well at 7", there are some that do. I'm more experienced in larger systems, so adjust accordingly

Im not sure what you mean by 2" of drain. I was looking to buy the Eshopps over flow for the nano sized tank. item# CD-73741 Do you think that will work??

PF-Nano

4" x 2.5" x 8.5" H

Up to 50 gallons

Single

200 gph

Steven R · Apr 22, 2012

The esshops nano is what I am using on my cube and fits nicely in chamber 3... two inches of drain he means the amount of water that is going to be siphoned back in to the sump if the power goes out or the system is off. And the return plays a big role in how much water is pulled back into the sump so position carefully and not 5 inches down in to the tank or you will have about 2 gallons of water on the floor.

77pm77 said:
Im not sure what you mean by 2" of drain. I was looking to buy the Eshopps over flow for the nano sized tank. item# CD-73741 Do you think that will work??

PF-Nano 4" x 2.5" x 8.5" H Up to 50 gallons Single 200 gph

77pm77 · Apr 23, 2012

Steven R said:
The esshops nano is what I am using on my cube and fits nicely in chamber 3... two inches of drain he means the amount of water that is going to be siphoned back in to the sump if the power goes out or the system is off. And the return plays a big role in how much water is pulled back into the sump so position carefully and not 5 inches down in to the tank or you will have about 2 gallons of water on the floor.

Ok Im learning and listening!! Thx Im putting my duck in a row just not done yet!!