First MONSTER tank...first sump...advice needed!

[fishguy306]

You can do the overflow across the side, most people just dont like to as you'd be able to see into it from the front of the tank.

Two things to consider, usually the overflow when coast to coast does not go all the way to the bottom. It'll stick 4 or 5 inches into the tank and only be about that tall as well at the top, so it really doesn't take up too much room.

Another option is an external overflow box. The back glass is notched for the overflow and flows into the box which is attached to the outside of the tank. This way it doesn't take up any space inside. It shouldn't stick out any further from the wall as plumbing can go straight down instead of making a turn out of the back.

 

[Abyss]

Someone is selling a tank local to me that I think might be perfect as a sump for my tank.

It's 60" x 16" x 14" - glass.

What do you reckon?

It's just a bare tank. So If I wanted to add baffles to it, I'd need to do that myself. I'd probably go down the acrylic route and silicone them in.

I'm a fair bit away from getting my new tank, so at this stage, I've got some time to watch out for things coming up cheaply, whatever that may be.

 

[fishguy306]

It is not wise to use acrylic baffles in a glass tank and vice versa, the materials absorb water at different rates. Acrylic and swell and cause the glass to crack.

 

[ragin_cajun]

On the tank for a sump thing....some things to consider with that.

1. I personally have a custom made acrylic sump, made at the same time as my sump.....because my tank is huge, the sump had to be big, and it's too big to just slide out from under the stand. To get my sump out, I'd have to drain the display tank, move the display off the stand, and lift the empty sump tank out from within the stand. Since that's the case at my house, I wanted to be REAL SURE it wouldn't leak, bust, have any problems------so I paid DEARLY for my sump. If the size of YOUR sump means it won't come out from under the stand without removing the display above it.....you might not want to skimp on the sump.

2. You can get a used tank to use as a sump, but will it leak? What happens if it does? Can you get it out from under the stand? If, on the other hand, the sump is not under the stand, it's in another room maybe. Well then, you can use ANY cheap container for a sump because it's SO EASY to swap it out. You might want to re-design your setup to put a sump someplace other than under the display tank stand.

3. BEST idea I've heard so far, is a rubbermaid tub from tractor supply as a sump. Ya can't see into it--which sucks--but it's so cheap, so reliable, comes in big sizes or little sizes, you can drill them and put bulkheads, too. That's so cheap and easy, and you don't have to watch craigslist--just ride down and buy one from Tractor Supply right now.

4. On the other hand, I'm really glad I have a clear sump. Although I originally didn't want to have any fish in my sump, it eventually just happened. So, it's nice to have a clear sump instead of a rubbermaid tub that's opaque. I can see what's living in my sump, see if they're eating, see how clean it is, see if the heaters are on, etc.

 

[DN328]

I wanted to reiterate what was mentioned above and a coast to coast doesn't extend from top to bottom. It actually makes skimming the surface more efficient. You also want to consider how you'll access the plumbing down the back if against the wall. Many have it this way but just something to consider when maintenance is needed.

I'm not a tank builder in the least, but my glass tank does have acrylic weir, and, that's what the builder uses for all internal overflow boxes. Their site has good examples of coast to coast with black acrylic. Let me know of you want to reference.

Finally, based on your budget, you may want to consider steel stands vs wood. I had an acrylic sump made too, and still wanted to be able to remove. So the sump is just narrow enough to pull out through the end of the stand (when the sump is not filled). I added removable wood wrap for ease of access but we can hold off on that part since you have a lot to think about ;-)