diy sump for 125 gallon tank

[mel_cp6]

hey i just need some advice from people with experience building a sump filter.
i have 2 penguin 350 HOB filter and i dont they are sufficient filters for my tank. my water is getting cloudy.

i currently have a 125 gl tank and im turning a 30gal tank into my sump.

my sump will be devided into 3 major chambers along with the micro bubble baffle section. 1st chamber will be for the filter media, bubble trap, refugium and then the return chamber.

i have a few questions about the media, pvc overflow and the return pump.

1. im thinking of using broken porous bricks, wool sponge, then foam type media and finally charcoal pad. (bioballs are to expensive)

2. should i use 2 pvc overflow or just one?
3. what size should i use and how many. (im thinking of using 2 3/4" pvc which will bring the overflow to about 650 gph)
4. i have a powerhead that is only capable of pumping 395 ghp. (Currently using this as a wavemaker) should i buy a more pump that is at least capable of 600-700 ghp.

thanks in advance and i appreciate any advice and comments you guys have.

mel

 

[Pharaoh]

1. You could use pot scrubbies. Zennzo is selling them. PM him.
2. Always use two overflows if you are making the PVC type
3. There is a size chart on this site somewhere, but I can't remember. I would suggest two 1" PVC overflows
4. You are definitely going to need a bigger pump. Powerheads do not push that much flow. The 395 would drop drastically when adding any head hight to it. I would look at getting a pump somewhere in the neighborhood of 700-900gph.

 

[mel_cp6]

actually the powerhead was only rated at 295.
i am currently looking into a pump rated between 700-1000gph.

why do we have to used to overflow?

a 1" pvc overflow was rated at about 600+ gph when i researched it.

 

[crowconor]

i have an eheim pump that puts out 320gph...pm me if your interested

 

[CHOMPERS]

Here's the thread on how to size a pump to your tank.
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47105

You want two overflows, and they each need to be able to handle the full volume of water from the pump, not half of it. The reason is in case one gets plugged by a dead fish, etc.

You will need to decide on what kind of flow you want. I have had great success with flow rates of 3 turnovers (tank volumes per hour). Three turnovers is the minimum rate that you should go (five is typical). At that rate, you would be looking at 375 gallons per hour (at tank height, not pump rating). At tank height, most pumps lose 1/3 to 1/2 of their flow rating. Double check the pump curve before you settle on a pump. If you need help with a pump curve or the math, just let me know.

 

[CHOMPERS]

my sump will be devided into 3 major chambers along with the micro bubble baffle section. 1st chamber will be for the filter media, bubble trap, refugium and then the return chamber.

If this is for a freshwater tank, you won't need the micro-bubble baffles.

3. what size should i use and how many. (im thinking of using 2 3/4" pvc which will bring the overflow to about 650 gph)

The pipe size is going to depend on the pump you choose. You should size the plumbing to the pump rather than the pump to the plumbing (if that made any sense). When you start looking at the pump curves, it will be clear why.

Right now, one inch plumbing will be suitable for most applications. However, don't run out and buy a bunch of plumbing. If you choose to go with a higher turnover or buy a high head pump, you will need to move up to 1 1/4" plumbing.

 

[mel_cp6]

thanks,

i wanted to put baffles just in case i ever do saltwater but most likely not.

how do we figure out the PM# of the pump. im looking at these pumps right now.

http://cgi.ebay.com/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280299589630

http://cgi.ebay.com/780-GPH-water-P...5|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318|301:0|293:2|294:50

http://cgi.ebay.com/Via-Aqua-2300-6...5|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318|301:0|293:1|294:50

so according to you the 1st one should be okay to use with 2 1" pvc overflow, or will the one crowconor will do?

 

[CHOMPERS]

so according to you the 1st one should be okay to use with 2 1" pvc overflow, or will the one crowconor will do?

None of the eBay pumps are worth considering. The 780 is the only one that is suitable for your application, but you can do better elsewhere. The problem with pond pumps is that they are designed for low head applications. The other two will peter out just above the tank. They both will have about 80% performance loss at tank height.

Get the Quiet One 3000 (780gph) from Petsmart for $36. Print the page in this link with the 3000 highlighted with its price, and then give it to the cashier for a price match.
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752997

The one from Petsmart is cheaper and if you need to use the warrantee, you will know Petsmart and Quiet One are still going to be around.

 

[mel_cp6]

i meant i was going to use two 3/4" pipe for overflow and
1/2" piping for the return since most pumps are 1/2 anyways.

let me know what you think.
thanks

 

[CHOMPERS]

If you are going to ask for advice and then ignore what you were given, why would you think we would continue to waste our time on you?

Why did you waste your time asking in the first place?