Actual cost of simple sump for 20gal?

[Moloch]

I've been looking at threads a bit today, but I can't really figure it all out (especially the pump) so far.

Here's what I have....65gal with a rena xp3, 20gal with a magnum 250 HOT.

Here's what I'm thinking....I have a feeling I'm going to need more filtration on the 65, it stays pretty cloudy as is and my stock is still young & quickly growing. I've been thinking just grab an ac70 and be done with it. But I'm getting interested in doing the PVC overflow with a sump.

Now...I could either do a 10gal sump on my 20gal and move the magnum to the 65, or I could add a 15-20gal sump to the 65. Adding a sump to the 65 would be harder space-wise if its anything bigger than a 10gal tank, just because of the space thats not left in my stand with the xp3 sitting there....I could probably make a 20 work, but that also increases the cost.


So I think the overflow could be made for about 20 bucks, a 10gal tank is about 10 bucks at the store. The biomedia (if I just do ceramics) could get kind of costly but I'm not really factoring that. I would just do it with a sock over the intake to the sump, biomedia in a bag and a pump back out to the aquarium. No dividers or anything like that.

What sort of pump would I need for either tank?

 

[FishKeepingNoob]

So far, I only have a few dollars in my 20g sump. However, that will go down the drain as soon as I buy a pump...

I think I'll end up with a Quiet One 4000 but the cheapest I have found one is 74 shipped.

You need to have an idea of the turnover rate and head before you will know what size pump you'll need. Also use this to determine your diameter of your overflow piping.

 

[Pharaoh]

If you go with the Jcardona version

$20 for a 20G tank
$10 for bio media
$3 for the basket
$4 for the filter sock
$10 in misc hardware
$50 for the pump

Come out to right about $100, give or take a few bucks for shipping, better pricing, and/or free stuff.

 

[Bee0912]

Here is my 10 gallon sump. You do not need the devider and you can change one of the baskets over to a filter sock.

10 gallon-$10
Mag-7 $15(craigslist!) (not in the pic)
baskets $5 (meijer)
Sponge media- $5 (dollor store)
PVC- $10

( I had the overflow sitting in storage and yes i know it was like $120 but a PVC one can be made for under $10)

It is on a 32 gallon tank but paired with a canister it would be great for a 65 gallon.

I also added spray bars to the drains over the media baskets.

Let me know if you have any questions.
The mag 7 is also HUGE for a 32 gallon IMO but go big or go home!

 

[Moloch]

So...if the magnum on my 20 is doing a fine job on it's own, and my xp3 has a pretty heavy load of bio-media, it might be more effective for cost and water clarity to just add an ac70 (or other??) to the 65?

 

[jcardona1]

If you go with the Jcardona version

$20 for a 20G tank
$10 for bio media
$3 for the basket
$4 for the filter sock
$10 in misc hardware
$50 for the pump

Come out to right about $100, give or take a few bucks for shipping, better pricing, and/or free stuff.

I'll need my own subforum in the DIY section. kthxbye

 

[ar0wan]

sooo not to high-jack but maybe you could PM me on this concept
yes, you've increased the water volume
but that 'baffle' is doing little more than making top-offs difficult
(evap is gonna move the water level at the pump daily)
no media below the baskets?

 

[watercrawl]

Without media and without a pump mine comes up as follows:

20 Gallon Tall/Regular (not long) - $15.00

Glass - $10.00

Silicone - $5.00

Acrylic for Top and shelves for bio chamber - $10.00

PVC to support shelves in bio chamber - $2.50

Plumbing supplies for supply and return - $30.00 (most of which is the vinyl tube & the "U" for over the tank on the return side)

Sponges for mechanical - $4.00

Media and pump I'm going to splurge a little and get Pond Matrix from Seachem and a new Mag Drive 7.

 

[Bee0912]

sooo not to high-jack but maybe you could PM me on this concept
yes, you've increased the water volume
but that 'baffle' is doing little more than making top-offs difficult
(evap is gonna move the water level at the pump daily)
no media below the baskets?

Yes I have to top off every other day. The devider is not needed in this set up.

As of the media. I am running it as a wet.dry not a sump per-say

The wet dry means the media is dry but the water runs down through it. The media has a lot of bacteria (sp?) on it and is working great.

The water is clear as it can be and this is the only filter on the tank.

 

[ar0wan]

I am glad this works for you but I do not recommend this to others
first - need at least wet media in the sump, if not a drip system
second - do not segregate your pump so thin. it will go dry.