Help with Sump Build

[heathd.hd]

To me I would go with acrylic. So much easier to mess with. Start with skimmer. How wide is it? How big is your return pump? If you let me know what your sump tank measures that you have I can draw something basic for you.

 

[heathd.hd]

Lowes will have glass drill bits.

 

[heathd.hd]

I made mine with three tanks and bulkheads connecting because my tank is up and running and my stand door is 12" wide.

 

[Waffo]

My tank is a 36 long, 12 wide and 17 high.. I can petty much play with the inside cuts myself whenever I cut them.. And my skimmer is really fat.. It might need some descent room..

 

[heathd.hd]

Measure the skimmer once. See what it is. Also research the height of water it needs to sit in and get back to me.

 

[Waffo]

Ok I just researched my skimmer and I can actually set it outside of the sump.. All I have to do is run the pump from the inside and the outlet of the skimmer back into the sump.. I think that's neat..

 

[heathd.hd]

Yah will save room for you refugium. More drilling but no worries.

 

[Waffo]

Ok but if u need the specs it is 7 inch wide and max water is 10 inches

 

[heathd.hd]

So maybe go 6" section for your filter sock and skimmer pump. Does it have any restrictions on water height at all? For the skimmer pump? Than u could go like 10" area for bubble trap \ return pump. And have 24" for your refugium. Depending on what u want. If your return pump area is small you will have to either top off daily or have a ato system.

 

[heathd.hd]

I'll draw some things tomorrow. If I get time.

 

[Waffo]

No does not have any restrictions on it.. I don't mind topping of every day but right now I'm used to toping off every week.. If I can get something close to that I will be fine..

 

[Waffo]

If it's not too hard I will def try to build it..

 

[heathd.hd]

I think u should just put the skimmer in the area. That way if it overflows ever it's just in the sump. Not on your floor. Lol. So I mean just go 9" for skimmer 10" for return pump and 17 for refugium. That would be fine. You can make your bubble trap height like 14" than either raise your skimmer up on egg crate or..... I'll show pictures later but the holes u drill from the outside sections Into the first stage of bubble trap you can put bulkheads and use elbows and pvc at whatever height to set water lvls in each section. I have my skimmer in 9.5 inches of water and my refugium at 11" this way.

 

[heathd.hd]

Idk if you will understand that rambling but I'll take pictures of mine later lol.

 

[heathd.hd]

You got this! Once you start I think it will make sense.

 

[Waffo]

Yeah I got the idea.. For some reasons I like those specs you just gave me.. Sounds like a plan.. If u can just give me a picture of it I will work on it best as I can..

 

[Waffo]

Oh and thank you both for helping me out.. It helps me a lot..

 

[heathd.hd]

Will do. Look at meleves reef Web site he's got a lot of good info on sumps there.

 

[heathd.hd]

Your gonna wanna calculate how much water is gonna drain from your display into the sump area when you shut the power off to make sure it will fit in there lol.

 

[heathd.hd]

Like my tank drains 5 gallons and fits easy cause I have plenty of extra height in my sump for 8 gallons.