Plumbing a sump

[natashakay.]

Alright I have a 90 gallon tank with an internal overflow in the left side corner. I’m wanting to setup a sump as I’m sick of seeing my tank look like garbage without one but I’ve never dealt with much plumbing in that aspect and I’m afraid of messing it up or wasting time and money on doing things wrong so if anyone could help with any suggestions, what I’ll need, step by step on how to do it etc that would be great!

 

[JoshH]

First things first, how many holes are drilled in the bottom of the tank inside the overflow? Two?

 

[Rmckoy]

There is a few things we will need to know prior to giving advice .

measurement of the size of plumbing , pictures will help .

 

[Rmckoy]

By the way …. Welcome to r2r
You have come to the right place for help.

 

[TokenReefer]

Who makes your tank? Can probably look up the sizes... If you're not good with plumbing I suggest soft tubing; just need clamps on the ends, simple.

Very basically you need:
a sump tank
Tubing from overflow to the sump tank
Return pump
tubing from return pump to display return nozzle

I mean that is the bare bones basic; without knowing more about your setup it's hard to get more specific. Do you want to run filter socks or a roller mat or a refugium? These would influence my route personally. Do you have a sump picked out? Maybe post that and someone can assist you more specifically to get it connected, etc. Oh and one thing I learned when setting up my sump that imo is important to remember is the return pump determines the flow rate, not the overflow. Welcome and good luck!

 

[natashakay.]

First things first, how many holes are drilled in the bottom of the tank inside the overflow? Two?

Yes there is 2

 

[natashakay.]

Who makes your tank? Can probably look up the sizes... If you're not good with plumbing I suggest soft tubing; just need clamps on the ends, simple.

Very basically you need:
a sump tank
Tubing from overflow to the sump tank
Return pump
tubing from return pump to display return nozzle

I mean that is the bare bones basic; without knowing more about your setup it's hard to get more specific. Do you want to run filter socks or a roller mat or a refugium? These would influence my route personally. Do you have a sump picked out? Maybe post that and someone can assist you more specifically to get it connected, etc. Oh and one thing I learned when setting up my sump that imo is important to remember is the return pump determines the flow rate, not the overflow. Welcome and good luck!

I would rather have it hard plumbed. I already have a few sumps laying around but they are all basic three chamber sumps. Im also aware the pump does more than the overflow but I wanna make sure I’m getting right size plumbing as well as connecting/running it correctly

 

[Rmckoy]

Yes there is 2

The one I circled is a return ….
which will require hose from the return pump to the bottom side of this .
The other side is the overflow which flows over the weirs and into the sump .

 

[JoshH]

Yes there is 2

So with two holes you have two options.

Option 1 - Durso drain. This is how it is currently plumbed with one drain line and one return.

Option 2 - Herbie Drain. This would be a modified version with both holes becoming drain lines and a third return line being plumbed up and over the back of the tank. You MAY also be able to drill the return line in the back of the Aquarium instead depending on the type of glass

 

[natashakay.]

So with two holes you have two options.

Option 1 - Durso drain. This is how it is currently plumbed with one drain line and one return.

Option 2 - Herbie Drain. This would be a modified version with both holes becoming drain lines and a third return line being plumbed up and over the back of the tank. You MAY also be able to drill the return line in the back of the Aquarium instead depending on the type of glass

Considering I’m new to the plumbing of all this I’d rather keep it as simple as possible. I had a tank with a sump years ago but it wasn’t drilled just had a HOB over flow and the guy I was dating at the time plumbed it. Since then I’ve just been running tanks with no sumps and I’m highly over not having a sump especially on and already drilled tank!

 

[Rmckoy]

Considering I’m new to the plumbing of all this I’d rather keep it as simple as possible. I had a tank with a sump years ago but it wasn’t drilled just had a HOB over flow and the guy I was dating at the time plumbed it. Since then I’ve just been running tanks with no sumps and I’m highly over not having a sump especially on and already drilled tank!

Option 1 is your easiest at this point .
Mira already there . Just need to connect the piping to the sump on the overflow . And the hose from your return pump in your sump to the return side .

 

[JoshH]

Considering I’m new to the plumbing of all this I’d rather keep it as simple as possible. I had a tank with a sump years ago but it wasn’t drilled just had a HOB over flow and the guy I was dating at the time plumbed it. Since then I’ve just been running tanks with no sumps and I’m highly over not having a sump especially on and already drilled tank!

Option one is slightly easier, however long term you might be better off and happier with option two

 

[Rmckoy]

Is there a barbed fitting on the u see side of the tank where the return pump attaches to ?
Diameter of the hose required will need to match the barbed fitting on the return pump .

ideally the size of pipe from the overflow is 2x the size of the return

 

[dstockwell]

Welcome to the Reef

 

[rd62rdstr]

Would love to see an update as I am in a similar position. Did you get it plumbed? How’s it working out?
Also for those who have answered this thread, how can you tell what type of glass you have on your tank for the purpose of drilling the 3rd hole for return if you went second option?

 

[natashakay.]

Would love to see an update as I am in a similar position. Did you get it plumbed? How’s it working out?
Also for those who have answered this thread, how can you tell what type of glass you have on your tank for the purpose of drilling the 3rd hole for return if you went second option?

I have done absolutely nothing so unfortunately I don’t have an update for you lol

 

[JoshH]

Would love to see an update as I am in a similar position. Did you get it plumbed? How’s it working out?
Also for those who have answered this thread, how can you tell what type of glass you have on your tank for the purpose of drilling the 3rd hole for return if you went second option?

If you google search "how to tell if glass is tempered" you should have a ton of information on how to tell. Sometimes the tank itself will have a sticker on the bottom of the tank to let you know, sometimes it won't. I "Believe" you need a set of polarized glasses and your cell phone. Haven't done it myself though so best to do a little digging