My first sump

[JoeFarrah]

So I have my 180gal all set-up and my little silver Arowana and others seem to love their new swimming room BUT I've got a problem. My only filtration is a fluval 406 and a Cascade 1000 canister filters. So in an effort to boost filtration I'd like to build my first sump, mainly because I'd like to increase my total water volume. So here's the question. Should I build something with submerged media, emerged (like a wet/dry) or build a fluidized sump. Any comments on sump size, proffered media and recommended style are greatly appreciated. As always thanks.

 

[millerkid519]

What is your budget for building a sump is my first question

 

[JoeFarrah]

What is your budget for building a sump is my first question

Realistically I'd like to keep everything under 200.

 

[millerkid519]

Are you able to drill the tank? Building a sump itself with plumbing and hob overflow/drilling tank is doable for 200 but a decent pump will cost almost 200 itself

 

[millerkid519]

I would build a 60g wet dry with pot scrubbies and a quiet one 6000 pump just for a reference price wise

 

[Hoplo]

There is no correct answer to that question, only personal preference.

For size: Go as large as you can fit in the space, you won't regret going to big, you might regret going to small.

For design: A simple beginner sump design is to have the water go through sponges in a first compartment, then through media in the next compartment, then back up to the tank in the last compartment.

But that is only one simple design, and the great thing with sumps is if you don't like a design you start with you can just change it easily.

 

[JoeFarrah]

Thanks guys, I kinda had the feeling that most DIY sumps had a good bit of creativity involved and it seems so. Probably gonna base the sump on an old 55 I have, should be enough room for plenty of media

 

[millerkid519]

You have a 55 gallon on hand that's a good start.
King of diy shows submerged, emerged and fluidized in the most basic setups which is how I would do it. My emerged sump is a rubermaid drawer cart using top 3 drawers as mechanical and bottom 3 drawers as bio with pot scrubbies. And I had the tank sitting around. I think I have about 350 in the sump but I am also in canada where everyrhing cost more

 

[Tig Phish]

I completely agree with Hoplo , go as big as you can. I actually just build my first ever sump yesterday. Its a laguna max flo 2900 ($175 ebay). I have 2x 2" overflows. I have two 7" x 17" 150 micron filter socks. I just dump in a load of pot scrubbies and ceramic rings. No baffles no nothing. Im prob gonna put in a wave maker to help with circulation. main tank is 270, sump is 120 (old tank). KISS (keep it simple stupid)

 

[millerkid519]

I agree and disagree if you have a budget and a free tank use it. Yes in reality go big or go home but that's not always the case or doable budget wise or time wise a huge sump with tons of bio does not mean that you have a ton of benaficial bacteria in your sump it just means you have more area for bacteria to grow guys. Water volume is a plus but in my opinion I would use what you have for a sump and take the extra cash you would put into a bigger sump and look into making a diy drip on the tank. Water volume problem solved