new sump set up

[those1]

So I finally decided to do a sump system on the 200 gallon 3 chamber tank. I really wanted to connect all three chambers but still have the option of separating them if need be. This is where the sump comes into play. I also am going to be adding a drip system to this tank/tanks and if all goes well will be adding it the the other tanks in the future. with this being my first sump I'm doing a diy rubbermaid style. please add your constructive criticism. Also before you start I am using pot scrubbies due to there inexpensiveness. I know there is better media on the market but for right now im using this to get up and running.





I will be using two 27 gallon tough totes as the seemed stronger then the other options I could find and were a decent price

Next I used two test plugs that have 5/8 openings to get the water from one tub into the other (this was due to bulk heads not being readily available may upgrade in the future if need be)

I then added some pvc and egg crate to the bottom so my pot scrubbies wouldn't be so submerged as i know they do better in an environment with more air. This also give an area for waste to settle. There is a 4 inch gap under the egg crate

Next I added a red stand and more egg crate the new egg crate will be attached to the red stand

After that I set another piece of egg crate on the red stand to be the base of my filter floss. this piece is only sitting on the stand so that I can easily do maintenance. The stand was put in place to keep the filter floss above the water line.

after that I will add more egg crate to the front of the base to help hold the filter floss in place. (none of the egg crate is attached yet still constructing)

This is a rough pic of what the first tote will look like when done.

How the two will sit under the stand.

Pic of the two plugs going into the second tote that will hold the heaters and the pump/pumps. the plug in the second chamber is for the over flow once the drip system is up and running.

Thanks for looking.

Nothing is final yet for this sump so if there are things you see that just wont work please give input.

 

[LukeOscar]

So I finally decided to do a sump system on the 200 gallon 3 chamber tank. I really wanted to connect all three chambers but still have the option of separating them if need be. This is where the sump comes into play. I also am going to be adding a drip system to this tank/tanks and if all goes well will be adding it the the other tanks in the future. with this being my first sump I'm doing a diy rubbermaid style. please add your constructive criticism. Also before you start I am using pot scrubbies due to there inexpensiveness. I know there is better media on the market but for right now im using this to get up and running.





I will be using two 27 gallon tough totes as the seemed stronger then the other options I could find and were a decent price

Next I used two test plugs that have 5/8 openings to get the water from one tub into the other (this was due to bulk heads not being readily available may upgrade in the future if need be)

I then added some pvc and egg crate to the bottom so my pot scrubbies wouldn't be so submerged as i know they do better in an environment with more air. This also give an area for waste to settle. There is a 4 inch gap under the egg crate

Next I added a red stand and more egg crate the new egg crate will be attached to the red stand

After that I set another piece of egg crate on the red stand to be the base of my filter floss. this piece is only sitting on the stand so that I can easily do maintenance. The stand was put in place to keep the filter floss above the water line.

after that I will add more egg crate to the front of the base to help hold the filter floss in place. (none of the egg crate is attached yet still constructing)

This is a rough pic of what the first tote will look like when done.

How the two will sit under the stand.

Pic of the two plugs going into the second tote that will hold the heaters and the pump/pumps. the plug in the second chamber is for the over flow once the drip system is up and running.

Thanks for looking.

Nothing is final yet for this sump so if there are things you see that just wont work please give input.

I am in the process of setting up my first sump aswell. Right away i want to add that i found many people that had issues with the rubbermaid containters and them cracking after time. I dont think u will have a problem at that size though.


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[those1]

ya i went to all the hardware stores around me and played with 3' garbage cans and different totes. I found these at home depot for $10 and they were way stronger then any other tote. the only thing stronger was a brute garbage can but they wanted $35 for those. I think this system should run well for me. the one concern I have is the scrubbies being mostly submerged.

 

[LukeOscar]

ya i went to all the hardware stores around me and played with 3' garbage cans and different totes. I found these at home depot for $10 and they were way stronger then any other tote. the only thing stronger was a brute garbage can but they wanted $35 for those. I think this system should run well for me. the one concern I have is the scrubbies being mostly submerged.

I decided to buy a used glass sump. It was free with another purchase actually. I had bought everything to do a DIY drawer tower and 30g tote its setup and running but im going to just put the drawers in the glass sump (100g) the glass is good because it makes inspecting alot easier. I dont think you will have problems with them being submerged. Alot of filters run that way. You just wont have both types of bacteria i think.


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[those1]

I had a 55 glass tank i was going to use but i didnt want to drill it to do the over flow for the drip system that was the reason to go with plastic.

 

[Jc1119]

Very nice! I think you're off to a good start. Looks like you've thought things out a bit.

My view with sumps is pretty simple..... Whatever works the best for the user, produces nitrates and keeps the fish happy, and healthy, is the best way to go. That being said, approximately 99,765,467 different designs fit the bill. Lol

But in all seriousness, it's all about being user friendly. I run 4 completely different sump designs based on needs (noise level, stocking density, etc.) but have found filter socks to be the best way to approach the mechanical end of things for all of my setups. 7" 25, 50 and 100 micron. Wash them in the washing machine once a week....

Now, this is not to say another user may prefer sponges, floss, trays, baffles.... Whatever keeps you happy maintaining the sump is what should dictate your approach.




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[those1]

I was worried about the noise level and evaporation however these came with lids so i can just cut out the holes i need for the water flow to help with this

 

[Jc1119]

I was worried about the noise level and evaporation however these came with lids so i can just cut out the holes i need for the water flow to help with this

Most noise from a sump is from...

1) the water falling into the overflow. Solution .... Raise the standpipes.

2) drains/standpipes .... Beananimal, Herbies or Dursos all approach the way the water enters your sump a bit differently, but they all target volume or "noise" relatively safely, ..., Beans have more plumbing and see the most flood proof and silent setups, Herbies in the middle, and Dursos the least. But they all work well if clogging is not a major concern.

3) the water level of the pipe entering the sump. If the water level in the sump is higher then the drain pipe, it will mostly remain silent.

Key point here is, for the most silent approach, all 3 of the above need to be considered.


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[those1]

my tank is drilled in the back at the top of each chamber. I will be using a straight pipe caped off with slits in it similar to a spray bar. with enough slits I should have no problem with flow. I will start with a few slits and slowly add more till i reach the desired flow rate and noise level.

 

[those1]

I finished the sump to day and got it up and running on one chamber. I also go my drip system going on that chamber so win and win. I made a few changes to the sump let me know what you think.


First I removed most of the egg crate and the red stand

Next I added the lid to help with stability and with evaporation. With the lid I drilled a few holes on the left to help let air in and to help let water drain into the sump if there is ever any spillage. Then i cut a large hole to allow for my filter basket.

Then I cut out sections of my filter basket bottom and layed egg crate over the holes.

Next I added the basket to the large hole in the top and added my filter floss

lastly I got the drain pipe from the first chamber in place and fired it up

The 2 plug drains I put in the sump seem to be having no problems keeping up.

I added an air hole to the top of my drain pipe to help increase flow.

I am wondering tho I'm using 1.5" pipe for my drain and with it being an open hole no cover the tank fills to half way up the pipe. The flow also seems a bit slow for this size pipe. is that common or do i need to change something. I don't have a pic of that right now but there is a 90 off the back of the tank with a 2' pipe that has a 45 connected to the end with a 2' pipe leading to the sump.