Round 4 in the upgrade. DIY 33G Long sump conversion.

[RichtheReefer21]

Hey all..
I've share all my diy's for my 125g since I joined... here is the latest... for anyone considering this as an option to the mind-blowing price tags on acrylic sumps or dont wanna be constrained by the size of 40b's and the height challenges on 55g long conversions.


Been running an Aqueon 400 canister and a remora HOB skimmer for the last 7 months on it.

Gonna leave details out and just share photos. I finished Thursday night after a 5 day battle and learning as I go.

Hope u enjoy.

The rough drafting.

Doomsday eve

Acrylic is messy. Custom baffling.

The set up.
(1900gph eflux bnib arrived monday)

Pvc and fittings chamfered and painted.

Dry fit.

Shadow 16" overflow.
Drilled 3/4" returns to locline
Emergency drain goes to skimmer section. Primary and secondary to sock block chamber.

Done.

 

[P-Dub]

Looks good. I would have added an under/over/under baffle sequence just after the skimmer compartment to keep microbubbles out of the DT since you poted for the fuge first.

 

[RichtheReefer21]

Looks good. I would have added an under/over/under baffle sequence just after the skimmer compartment to keep microbubbles out of the DT since you poted for the fuge first.

I thought of this after the fact sadly. But one thing u xant see first look is that theres a 3" channel that runs from the fuge to the return chamber, behind the skimmer. I drilled holes in the wall in those rear 3" to allow pods to escape and a 2nd line of flow to the return without involving the skimmer chamber.

Scared of the possible fine bubbles now as I prepare to fill and fire it up for testing. Perhaps I can throw another baffle for a bubble trap "under flow" between the skimmer and return. Hmmm

 

[P-Dub]

I thought of this after the fact sadly. But one thing u xant see first look is that theres a 3" channel that runs from the fuge to the return chamber, behind the skimmer. I drilled holes in the wall in those rear 3" to allow pods to escape and a 2nd line of flow to the return without involving the skimmer chamber.

Scared of the possible fine bubbles now as I prepare to fill and fire it up for testing. Perhaps I can throw another baffle for a bubble trap "under flow" between the skimmer and return. Hmmm

You can always make modifications to the sump much easier than almost any other part of the system. Just empty and dry. Glue in some baffles, wait a few hours and go. Silicone readily cures in contact with water. Just don't goop on too thick.

 

[RichtheReefer21]

Thanks for the input. Always learning.

#r2rforlife

 

[dugthefish]

Where did you find the 33L? Been considering the same thing, but haven't been able to find the right sized tank....

 

[RichtheReefer21]

Where did you find the 33L? Been considering the same thing, but haven't been able to find the right sized tank....

They are hard to come by. But my buddy has 11 tanks at his house and has been reefing and fw fish keeping for 20 years. He had it laying around. Literally.

I originally planned a 55g long for the sump. But it's just too dang high to go under a stand. 55g perfect for applications like basement builds imho.