Switching to Saltwater: Sump questions

[arg211]

Hello! I am moving and as part of the move I have decided to make the switch from freshwater to saltwater! I have a fairly small tank, 29 gal, and want to use a 10 gal tank beneath it as a sump area to increase the overall volume and hide heaters/filters/etc. I have a fairly decent canister filter that I want to keep using and don't want to spend a whole lot extra. One idea I had was using the intake for the filter from the 29 gal, with the output going into the 10 gal, and then having a submersible pump going from the 10 gal into the 29, but this seems like a perfect example of over-engineering. Anyone have any thoughts?

 

[arg211]

Just found information about overflow boxes. Somehow nothing about those showed up in all my searches. At any rate, it looks like that might be the way to go. Have the overflow box drain into my 10 gal from the 29 gal, have the filter intake from the 10 gal and drain into the 29 gal

 

[Jimbo662]

If you're using the 10g as a sump I'd get rid of the canister and get a bunch of live rock rubble to put in a section of the sump. Canisters have to be cleaned on a very regular basis to avoid nitrate build up. You can buy rubble from BRS for about $2 / pound. I've got my rubble in egg crate containers in the drain section of my sump. Section it off for the drain area on one end, center for skimmer and other end for the return pump.

 

[ReeferBob]

You need to be very careful with your flow from that setup. You want the return flow to the 29 from the 10 be able to flow slightly higher than the 29 drain. It will then equal out and work correctly. By forcing flow using the canister output you risk emptying your 29 onto the floor should something happen to the return. Only gravity should feed the sump and using a proper overflow box will help to avoid a flood. Your sump should be able to handle the volume that will drain out of the tank in case your return fails (power outage) and your tank should be able to handle the volume that will come up from the sump should your drain fail (lost siphon). You need at least 2 compartments in the sump. The return compartment should be just big enough for the return pump.

Good Luck!

 

[arg211]

Thanks for your advice! I somehow missed this and never replied. Much appreciated!

Haven't made the switch yet, as I just completed my move and will be starting a new internship next week. Hopefully after that, however, I'll be able to!