Hello MFK need SUMP advice!

[kyleallen22]

As the title suggests I need some advice on setting up a sump. I’ve had a lot of tanks but never ran a sump, just got this 300 gallon tank that has 2 corner overflows.

Plan on putting a male umbee in it but am unsure on the optimal filtration and how to setup a sump.

There are 3 holes in each overflow one measuring 1.5” and two measuring 2”

I was planning on going with a bean animal setup but haven’t found an adequate setup with a dual corner overflow that makes me feel confident.

Please help me MFK y’all always do

 

[kyleallen22]

 

[kyleallen22]

You can see the 2x 2” holes and 1x 1.5” holes above which are mirrored in the other corner

 

[Sassafras]

I also had a tank, 325 gallons, with holes already drilled and wanted to add an overflow set up as a BeanAnimal. I went with Modular Marine, sturdy, high quality build. They have several standard sizes, but can customize the bulkhead and drain sizes and number of holes to fit your application. Just tell MM how much flow you plan on running and give them the measurements they require, hole-to-hole distance, hole diameter, etc. The trick may be in matching up the bulkhead fitting with your hole size. I believe a 1 1/2" bulkhead takes a 2 3/8" hole and a 1" bulkhead takes a 1 3/4" hole. Talk to MM about that if you decide to contact them. Mine ended up being a five foot long box since my holes were about a foot from the edge o each side of the back of the tank. It fit flawlessly.

 

[duanes]

A sump is just a box, where water from the tank flows by gravity, and is filtered.
Some people use commercial sumps with compartments separating different types of commercial media.
Some people use rubbermaid bins with lots of mechanical media and lava rock for bio media.
Some people put protein skimmers in sumps with tanks that hold very carnivorous fish that eat a lot of protein.
There are many sump concepts, and how you do it, depends on what you expect from your sump

I use a 125 gal heavily planted tank with no compartments except Porret Foam as a mechanical filtration barrier between the plants and pump, as a sump for my 180 gal tank. I find tanks, much more economical than wimpy little commercial units.
Because, beside normal filtration concepts, I want my sump to eat nitrate, and normal filtration does not do that. That's where the plants come in.
I also want my sumps to hold substantial amounts of water, so are rum almost full.

Main tank left, sump on the right.
As you can see, the sump doesn't need to be directly below the tank, it can be offset on the side, as long as gravity is applied.
Below the heavily aquatic planting in the sump.

Below when first setting up the sump up (before plants were added), to help illustrate the pump section separated by the Porrett Foam barrier

Below my average water parameters using this system.

Below the return water to tank, from the sump.

Because I keep riverine cichlids, that appreciate strong flow, and highly oxygenated, low nitrate water, I use a 1500 gph pump and in addition a 500 gph wave maker to produce directional flow (riverine) in the main tank..... this concept works well for me.
I'm sure others will have differing concepts, that work well for them. But.....
There is "no" one specific or exclusive way to do a sump, except the need to use some form of gravity.
I have used a 1500 gal pond for a 55 gal outside tank in the past.

I also like to put scavenging type animals like shrimp in the sump, to help break down, extra food that overflow in the sump, and break down old plant material.

So beyond just a sump, it can be thought of as a refugium.

 

[kyleallen22]

Was initially looking to do a sump similar to this after some quick research

But your sump is honestly incredible do you have a thread going over it in more detail? Plumbing is what I’m least experienced with as I’ve typically used canister or HOB filters in the past.

I have lots of extra tanks in my garage I could convert to something like this but a guide would be extremely helpful. I’ve seen refugiums used in reef setups but never one like yours for freshwater.

As a side tangent, is it possible to run dual sumps or is that something that is likely to go poorly due to increased complexity?

 

[duanes]

My sump is similar to the video, I just use one Porret sponge instead of 3, to make room for the plants, and I have only a couple small bags of siporax as bio-media, because the plants themselves also act a Biomedia.

and I use PVC pipe from the hardware store, instead of vinyl. Its cheap, and readily available.
I like to be able to detach PVC throughout for maintenance and use union connecters to make that simple.

An example of a PVC union above, they can be unscrewed to separate long lengths of pipe.
Looks like you'' need to get 6 bulkheads to connect stand pipes in the overflow holes, with PVC measured to wherever depth you want to run the tank..

A bulkhead fitting above, placing in the drilled holes below

PVC fittings attached to the bulkheads, set to head down to the sump above

As water is pumped from the sump to the tank, it overflows back to the sump, thru the holes with bulkheads.


After its done, I use terrestrial plants to try and camouflage the piping a little.

and with their roots in the water, help to absorb nitrate

 

[kyleallen22]

Very cool appreciate the breakdown.
If I may, what kind of plants are you running in your refugium? What kind of substrate are you using?

Thanks for the help and your time duanes, you’re a legend!

 

[duanes]

I just use sand as substrate.
Aquatic plants are Vallisneria, Nymphea water lilies, Salvinia floaters, and about a dozen Mangrove tree saplings.

Vallisneria above, Nymphea, and Salvinia below

Mangrove trees below

The Terrestrials are Dieffenbachia, and Monsteras below

 

[kyleallen22]

Thanks again for the help and inspiration