Out of my depth with sump plumbing

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
B

Beki

Feeder Fish
Nov 17, 2018
4
3
3
45
This is my first time using a sump. It's a small tank; 75 gal with 20 gal sump. I got it from a reefer who drilled it in the back not the base. How do I set up the overflow? I swear I've searched all over and watched YouTube vids but this is just out of my wheelhouse. I figured someone with more experience could guide me in the right direction.

The distance from the top of the weir to the drilled hole is about 3-4 inches.. if that matters.

TIA

20191005_121229.jpg
 
Not sure what you are asking, are you concerned about noise, flow, returns, flooding, etc.
 
Fair questions, I wasn't clear.
I don't understand how to plumb it to prevent flooding.
I'm concerned about noise but that's a secondary concern.
I'm setting up a blackwater Angelfish biotope so it'll be slowflowing -gph is also a secondary concern. I figure multiple possible configurations will possibly work (but I don't know what they are).
I'm okay with brining the return over the top of the tank.

I've found a TON of diagrams on how to plumb a tank that's drilled in the bottom. I've also found lots with multiple back holes. But just one back hole....I've found nothing.
 
Like youve found out, theres a multitude of ways to do this but my philosophy is to just keep it as simple as possible. And always have an emergency drain in the case of your main drain clogging.

Heres how i have my 135's single 1" main drain set up:
20191005_125657.jpg
A strainer inside the tank, a tee and valve outside that controls the flow to the sump. A lot of people don't even use a tee, but the rig you see there is what works best for me in terms of a quiet and controllable drain. I can adjust this drain from around 300 gph (low as my pump will go) up to over 1000 gph and still remain relatively silent.
20191005_125821.jpg
Forgive my algae buildup. The emergency drain is in the back corner...hard to get a picture of. But all it consists of is an upturned angle of pvc cut to just above my water surface level, then a hose leading to the sump outside the tank.

Whatever you do im sure youll have to tinker with it to get it perfect. But i do recommend drilling an emergency drain before putting the overflow into use and fastening all fittings together with silicone when youre sure of how to proceed.

Also, dont be afraid to upgrade your sump to a larger size. 20 is ok but not a lot of space to work with. I like as big as possible for ease of maintenance, equipment and extra media storage, or even to accommodate a refugium.

Good luck with your tank!
 
I never drill on the bottom, and prefer tanks drilled near the top, on the back, on a side panel, it doesn't matter.

The tank in the foreground (above) is drilled near the top, and the PVC pipe pointed down, leads to, and sends water by gravity to the sump, where the pump is, which pumps water back to the tank.
Water pumped up from the sump to the tank, falls back by gravity, a circle.
Just as backfromthedead's photo shows, PVC pipe from the hole in the tank side is run directly to the sump.
It will not overflow as long as the pipe is large enough to handle the pumps flow rate.
 
I didn't see a bulkhead in your photo, so just to be clear, this maybe too simplistic but.....

The Hole above
with added bulkhead


Pipe attached to bulkhead

now with more pipe that leads and sends water to the sup.

Now pipe to sump (I use filter socks to catch debris)
 
I knew I came to the right place for help! Thanks SO much.

Duanes: I own a bulkhead I just haven't installed it bc I don't have any other of the necessary fixtures. Thank you for the detailed info.

Backfromthedead: with this type of system is the emergency drain what will keep the main tank from overflowing in the event of the siphon breaking or a power outage? My power flickers often enough but doesn't fully go out often. I don't want flooding. Thank you for those pictures.

Both these systems are so much simpler than the complicated 2/3 outflow pipe systems I've been seeing that claim to be for noise reduction or for increased flood protection. I question how necessary the more complex setups really are.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Backfromthedead
Beki said:
I knew I came to the right place for help! Thanks SO much.

Duanes: I own a bulkhead I just haven't installed it bc I don't have any other of the necessary fixtures. Thank you for the detailed info.

Backfromthedead: with this type of system is the emergency drain what will keep the main tank from overflowing in the event of the siphon breaking or a power outage? My power flickers often enough but doesn't fully go out often. I don't want flooding. Thank you for those pictures.

Both these systems are so much simpler than the complicated 2/3 outflow pipe systems I've been seeing that claim to be for noise reduction or for increased flood protection. I question how necessary the more complex setups really are.
Click to expand...

No the emergency drain is solely for preventing the tank from overflowing if your main drain becomes clogged somehow. If the main drog clogs up and stops draining, the sump will empty into the main tank, over the top, and onto your floor. Since you have a weir a clog is unlikely, but can still happen.

In the event of a power outage, the main tank will simply drain to the level of the teeth on your weir. Always leave enough space in your sump to accommodate this much water in case of power or pump failure. This is another good reason why its best to have the biggest sump you can handle.
 
  • Like
Reactions: celebrist
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom