Make a sump from a garbage can

[JasonsPlecosCichlids]

idk why but OP thats the sweetest tank ive ever seen...its obviously awesome but i think its the coolest tank ive seen yet

My tank is FAR from the sweetest tank on here thats for sure.

 

[JasonsPlecosCichlids]

I have built trash can sumps, and trashcan in pool filters.

I just filled mine with scrubbies. (I got rid of the sponges in the middle because they trap detritus, and just had the plastic floss packed in there.

Even so, I needed to rip out the floss at least once a month and rinse everything out because of how much waste got trapped in there.

Worked well with a heavy bioload though...50+ pacu with no ammonia or nitrates to speak of.

What does yours look like? Hows it set up?

 

[FLESHY]

Took a garbage can, drilled it at the bottom for an outflow, (the other way to do this would to be have it be the IN flow, and have it overflow, not an option for you)

Then I ran my pump to a DIY spray bar system over the top, and down into the media I described and out the bottom.

 

[kendragon]

Check valve is in the wrong spot.

 

[JasonsPlecosCichlids]

Check valve is in the wrong spot.

I actually dont think I need it, but if I did, where should it go?

I got everything I need except the pot scrubbies, looks like I have to order from EBAY.

Any of these will work correct?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lot-20-Nylo...031?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43a193c9af

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pot-Scrubbe...639?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a69a99157

 

[barracuda123]

Tv on top of your tank? Its one or the other

 

[JasonsPlecosCichlids]

Tv on top of your tank? Its one or the other

Yup, thats where its been over the past 2 years

 

[kendragon]

I actually dont think I need it, but if I did, where should it go?

Your diagram show a check valve on the line that is gravity feeding the trash can. A check valve allows flow in one direction. So if the water is flowing down hill your check valve would prevent water from flowing uphill?. You don't need it here.
If your return line is below water level in the tank, a power outage will syphon the water into the trash can so a check valve on the return would make sense. To eliminate the need of a check valve have the end of the return line above water level.

 

[tomojsg]

+1 on the closed loop system. i'd go with a drum/barrel rather than a trash can.

 

[JasonsPlecosCichlids]

I ran a couple tests, I need to get a flow control valve, its either too much water goes in and not enough our or the other way around. I got a 500GPH pump that use a 3/4" hose, I used a 3/4" hose from tank to sump but didnt work, then tried a small hose but wasnt enough. So back to Home Depot one last time to get that and then I should be good, once the scrubbies arrive. I thought 900GPH was to high so this is why I went with the 500GPH.