Jbj28g "as" a sump?

[AForys]

Has anyone used a jbj28 as a sump? With the rear compartments intact? Was thinking of using it as a sump for a 30g long. Was wanting to use 2x mj1200's as the return pumps (inside rear chambers) and maybe a small filter sock holder inside of jbj. I would be drilling 3 holes in the dt 2 for returns. What size bulkheads? Would the 2x mjs be enough? How would I connect mjs to bulkheads? A lot of questions, I know but I've never ran a sump. Trying to wrap my head around it!
Will also be a display fuge, so minimal equipment in the jbj is preferred that's why I want to keep the compartments intact.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

unless you are as stubborn as I am dont do it. You first sump can be a pain, add that to hacking it. big pain.
my opinion get a 30 long for a sump.
Im working on a 30 gube with a cube bottom stand so I need a 14g cube sump or nothing. a 10g l wont fit.

downsides to the plan
lotta labor
mj12oo dont do well with back pressure so they get loud
return rate is total water volume x 10 = gph of the pump+600gph @10 = $35 for a new one
if you dont keep water flowing throug fuge its an auto junk collector and the macros will fail as they need flow and its hard to keep even flow in the cube shape.
Iff you pull the jbj chambers, put the back wall back in with a T behind it. input and return chambers. A third chamber should be in for the skimmer. add a long tall t in the front and the water will flow around the corner.
the fuge is now a u shape instead of the traditional long but with same chambers.
keep a place for the skimmer...yes even a small one TUNZEE IMO IME. (9001,9002)the fuge will not be mature enough to handle the bio load for a long time.
an eshopps overflow works great now you know your return rate you can calculate the overflow size and or the holes that need to be drilled.
A third chamber should be in for the skimmer with more passive flow, connecting directly to the inlet side may not allow for settling of detritus so poor skimming.


pros to the plan
Fun

check out melevs reefs lots of great sump info. theory and practice.

 

[AForys]

Ahhhh! Looks like you know what your talking about! I may reconsider, but! What a boutique a above tank fuge? And use a actual sump to pump both?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

it all works. just depends on your level of crazy.. A simple sump is a good learning curve.
I usually plan my crazy on the end result.
Im my house the tanks are pretty furniture I use to keep my pets in. So I visualize that. first.
Second is the how big a project is it.
third how mad will my wife be.
can she run it when im not home or on vacation(failure points)
is it going to benefit the system?

 

[AForys]

Agreed, the jbj isn't even available as of now. Just thinking of something for the near future once my 60g is all set up and cycled. Once it's all emptied perhaps I'll tinker with it a bit. Thanks for all the input buddy!