I made an over-tank Sump from an old HOB...

Today I made an over-the-tank Sump out of a tupperware container and an old P.O.S. Aqueon 55 HOB filter. I had a bunch of junk left over in the garage and decided to see what I can make out of it. Best of all, this cost me $0 and nothing cents

I dremeled the pump and attachment off the old HOB, and robbed one of the Cartridge holders and cartridges. I then cut the HOB in half to make a channel out of the leftover plastic from the HOB. I measured, drilled holes, screwed it all together inside a 2.5 gallon tupperware, cut the holes needed, added the exit piping, then siliconed it all together. After a few trial and errors with the exit pipe, it started to run and run almost silently. I then added the HOBs filter cartridge and holder, then filled it with Bio Balls.

What do you guys think? Should I use the Lava Rock I have in my front yard or stick with these Bio Balls?

Heres some pics;
Side showing the HOB pump and see-through to the cartridge and holder


Exit pipe. Had to make sure it was OUT of the water or it would make this thing flush like a toilet.


Side up close


Inside.


Not pretty, but who cares... I'm building a canopy next.

john73738;4164255; said:

Love it, I love OHFs

More pics I am interested in how you did this for my 2 smaller tanks

Click to expand...

Ok... My next version will be out of a christmas wrapping paper tupperware container, as its very long and low. I'll probably build it into the hood I'm working on designing for my 150g. Do you have more pics of yours? I'm amazed at how much quieter it is than the HOB on my 26g. I'm also going to use an external pump from my original sump... its a 700gph Little Giant, so it should be an awesome turnover rate since the pump would have no water weight to push or pressure to fight.

Heres those pics;

The open space off the side of the pump at the top of it is the overflow. It flows the water right back down the side. I needed it a lot when figuring out the placement of the exit tube. This also shows the top and bottom screw locations.


Again from the back. You can see some of the permenant marker marks I used to draw out the locations before cutting and drilling holes.


This shows the pumps inlet hole I cut out. It also shows the location of the top screw used to hold the pump against the flimsy tupperware.


The channel is screwed and siliconed into place. It a valuable item, as it is the reason for the fast water flow. Without it, the water would pool and be less effective. The filter cartridge and holder are supported by 2 screws. I placed the channel perfectly as to make sure the cartridge and holder had almost no gaps anywhere, and would force the water through the cartridge.


Make sure this exit pipe stays very low. Also, do not submerge the exit pipe, as it will overflow the container, or if it gets enough water pressure, will flow randomly and sound like a toilet flush.


Notice how its screwed on. There are 5 screw keeping this very solid against the flimsy tupperware plastic (1 at the top, 4 at bottom). I covered all the screws with silicon, as to not chance rusting later.