2 55gal barrel sump ideas.

[jeffers]

ok i need some help on how to do this. im picking up 2 55 gal plastic barrels and a new reeflo hammerhead pump. im thinking about putting one beside the tank in a space i have for it and then the other under the tank but cut it half or have it 3/4 tall. for easier access. i want the big one to take in the water by 3 2" lines. then i want that filled with filter media. then i want that to transfer over to the cut barrel. there i want to house my heaters and maybe some plants on eggcrate so they dont get sucked in. plus it would be nice if i needed to throw a fish in there temp or something i dont really know. it just needs easy access for the heaters and add to the overall water.

so if anyone has any ideas of a good way to set this up im all ears. i keep thinking but when i think i have it then if the power goes out things start overflowing. so i need to avoid that. so in the end 2 55 gal barrels, hammerhead pump (tuned down lol). how would you guys do it?

 

[Richies^Ghost]

Hi Jeffers,

I'm doing something similar to what you've proposed:

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=329767

To prevent overflowing, just ensure the amount of water that goes into the sump when the power is off doesn't exceed the level of the cut barrell (less a couple of inches) in both barrells.

I think for a setup like this, using a wet/dry sump in the first barrell would be ideal:

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=269221

 

[jeffers]

thanks for the link. and yes im kinda wanting the same thing. im using the blue plastic barrels though as i know these will hold water for a very long time. i might even advise the same thing for you. i want the first barrel to be a drip then second to be a containment to an extent and i think i have it. i will draw up a pic and post it here in a bit. i just keep thinking i have the idea but then i think it will have problems.

 

[jeffers]

well i think this is the way i will try it out. i like it as it gives good mechanical and bio with submerged media as well as wet dry. and i still have extra water to put heaters with easy access also a good area for putting a mag filter for particle filtration. if anyone wants to add on to my design or change and improve please do.

 

[Richies^Ghost]

Why don't you put the pump in the second barrel?

 

[Richies^Ghost]

Also, you could try putting filter socks at the ends of your three input pipes - just make sure there is a hole above them so that if they fill up, the water won't stop flowing into the sump.

Something to keep in mind is the horizontal pipe between the barrells will not have gravity to force water through, so it will need to be large enough in diameter to ensure adequate flow (and then some, to reduce the chance of blockages). The flow rates sticky is a good place for working out what you will need.

For the wool and mechanical filtration section, I'd just have some eggcrate resting on top of some vertical PVC pipes to support it all - no need to glue/drill it into the barrell, and it would be relatively easy to service it. You could do the same for the wet and dry sections as well. Another option is to get a set of plastic draws that will fit within the barrell.

 

[jeffers]

i cant put the pump in the barrel as its not submersable. and i was thinking of having 3 3" lines running to eachother. but the more i think of this i might just end up doing one barrel and taking the pump straight off of it. as 6 3" bulkheads and all of that will start adding up pretty fast. just dosent make alot of since to do it this way if thats the case. if i was going with alot lower flow then it could. i have everything valved if i wanted to do that though. i will check the sticky and see some flow rates and decide from there. but am still open for all kinds of suggestions.