*Exploding head* (sump etc)

[martcoug]

lol right... my head has exploded...

I have been reading numerous posts on diy overflows sumps etc and I still feel none the wiser on how to do things.

I only have a 55 US Gallon tank is a sump worth it?

How would I go about setting one up?
I don't really understand the overflow idea... what makes sure the pump pumps enough as to ensure the sump tank doesn't overflow.

Whole new to the concept so bare with me! haha

Some diagrams would be good

 

[kusojijii]

you need to figure out how much turn around you want to have for a 55 then tailor the system to the tanks requirments...

all the calculators you need are here

 

[martcoug]

lol thought that was funny seeing as the first link when opening that website is Head Loss Calc *exploding head*
Ok going to have a read up... I'm totally new to this

 

[martcoug]

Ok right so just read up on that a little more... now I just need more help on creating wet/dry sump and an overflow... I don't really get the concept of having a DIY overflow without drilling holes etc

 

[arkmann]

Read the DIY probably just the first and second page only. That will get you up to speed. I was clueless with wet dry and overflows until three weeks ago and after reading the two diy threads for each.

 

[Dr Joe]

The easiest way to start is to think of it as a syphon that stops when you stop returning water to the tank so the sump won't overflow.

Now for the bad news...It's not a syphon.

As you pump water into the tank it fills up the overflow and "overflows" down to the sump/filter to be cleaned and pumped back to the tank...Rinse & repeat.

What do you have for a filter now?

What's the bio-load (critters in your tank)?

Dr Joe

.

 

[kusojijii]

read these two threads all the way through, I mean really read them. It took me a while to understand the "overflow thread" concept (I actually read the whole thread twice) but it's all there spelled out.

Overflow thread (the siphon for the wet/dry flter)

Wet/'Dry filter and Check this one out too!

you can find almost anything by doing an Advanced search and only searching in the DIY forum, sometimes this is much faster than waiting for a reply...

good luck with your build and keep us posted!

 

[martcoug]

Ok so... my tank is only 55g in size so say I want to do 55g/ph it's saying...

Recommended minimum drain pipe diameter = 0.31 inches
Recommended minimum linear overflow size = 1 inches

Linear overflow? lol

Going to draw up an idea in a bit... anyone have any suggestions on how big my sub tank should be?... Gonna have fun making this when my payday comes around

 

[Dr Joe]

Need info.

Rule of thumb is "1/3 of aquarium size for heavy bio-load, 1/4 for lite bio-load.

Turnover is anywhere from 2x (110gph) to 10+ (550gph) remember to take head pressure into consideration when looking for a pump.

 

[kumdoalan]

anyone have any suggestions on how big my sub tank should be?...

What I have noticed in the many photos of sump tanks is that one of the things that tell you how big to go with the tank is how much room you have to fit it under the main tank?

I dont think there is a rule that says you have to limit the size of the sump tank based on the size of the main tank at all.

Another thing that is important from the many photos of sump tanks is the basic design you use and whats going in the sump tank?

Some people have very simple designs, and I have seen some very tricky designs.