I want to build a sump...

[Angelo Fatica]

I am new to this but I want to get rid of all my hang on back equipment and build my own sump. Is there any tips I would need or suggestions for brands of equipment? Also is it possible to use two water pumps instead of one with an overflow?

 

[saltyphish]

Do you plan on drilling your tank?

 

[Angelo Fatica]

I would rather not, that makes me nervous thinking about it haha

 

[melypr1985]

So you'll need an HOB overflow. If you use two pumps for the return, just make sure your overflow is rated for the combined flow those two pumps will create. You don't want them overwhelming your overflow. You could just split the return line and end up with two return nozzles instead of buying two pumps. Sumps are easy to build. I've built several, they get better each time. You can build one from acrylic- walls and all, or take a regular tank and put baffles in it. It doesn't have to be fancy, just functional. Make sure your skimmer will fit in the first chamber so you don't get micro bubbles in the display.

 

[saltyphish]

I would only use one pump and use a overflow box like this one http://www.marinedepot.com/CPR_CS_O...Boxes_for_Aquariums-CPR-CR1511-FIOFEB-vi.html. The problem with using 2 pumps is when one fails or one does not keep up with the other one. Just do the math and figure your head pressure for sizing your pump. When going the route of a overflow box over drilling the tank make sure you buy something like this http://www.marinedepot.com/Tom_Aqua...flow_Boxes-Tom_Aquatics-OE1137-FIOFOA-vi.html to maintain suction.

 

[asandbox]

I've Ben running a diy overflow from Joey Diyking on YouTube and I got a tank from Petco with their $1 per gallon deal and some silicone, my glass from lows they cut it for me Joey also shows you how to build the sump

 

[Angelo Fatica]

Would a 10 gallon work? That's the only extra tank I have right now and I know it fits right inside of my stand. Also, Is it better to use a hose or pvc for the flow?

 

[saltnewb]

I'll be setting up my tank soon. Im going to have a 10g sump on the bottom, tank is 26g bow, and will have a PVC DIY overflow to get water down to the bottom. When you ask about the PVC v Hose, are talking about the return or to get it down to the bottom?

 

[Angelo Fatica]

Both

 

[melypr1985]

I've tried a ten gallon and found that even the smallest skimmers were pretty big for that size tank. A 20 long would be easier to work with. That said... plenty of people pull it off and I'm sure you can too with some ingenuity. I use hard pvc for my overflow and flex hose for my return. The flex hose puts less stress on the pump and return line since the pumps vibrate. This is just my experience and opinion. there are tons of ways to do it.

 

[saltnewb]

I'm most likely going to set it up the same way melypr1985.

 

[asandbox]

Using this overflow for more than a year now

 

[asandbox]

 

[Angelo Fatica]

I think I'm just going to use an overflow box with pvc so i can put check valve and ball valve on so I don't screw up the system and then have a pump with a hose carry it back up. The sump itself I will just have to design to fit around everything.

 

[saltnewb]

If you are using a 10g tank for a sump, you could use a 2 chamber setup.

 

[Angelo Fatica]

explain?

 

[Reefing Madness]

http://www.melevsreef.com/allmysumps.html

 

[Harold Green]

Go for the biggest sump you can get into your stand. I've never heard anyone complain about their sump being too large. There are lots of plans out there depending on what you want to place in the sump. Most of us place our skimmers, heaters, return pumps in the sump along with filters(filter socks or sponges), refugiums(sometimes combined with deep sand bed), ato's to keep the tank full. In tight quarters the flex hoses will probably be a lot easier to run keeping bends to a minimum.

 

[beaslbob]

I am new to this but I want to get rid of all my hang on back equipment and build my own sump. Is there any tips I would need or suggestions for brands of equipment? Also is it possible to use two water pumps instead of one with an overflow?

NO!!!!!

The overflow matches what is being pumped back to the tank exactly. But two pumps can never be matched exactly. It is possible however to you two return pumps and one overflow.

Before you get all expensive, sumps can be plastic storage containers. Like 30 gallon for $10 from wall mart.

The function of baffles can be had by using smaller containers inside the larger containers.

Or you can use smaller containers in line and have the larger container with a high drain to the smaller.

overflows can be made with $20 pvc.

Finally, and most important, after setup do the following tests.

1) no floods with power loss

2) normal operation returns when power returns.

3) no floods (display) if the drain fails (loss of siphon or blockage)

Playing with a few storage containers in you garage will get you used to how thing works and probably prevent floods with the "real" setup later.


my .02

 

[Harold Green]

I'd consider one thing before using storage containers inside the stand. It's really important to be able to see what's going on in the sump.