Overhead sump

[that_fish_Guy]

Id like to buy or build a decent sized overhead sump for my 240 gallon, a traditional sump wont be an option I dont think because I dont want to drill my tank or take it down to drill my tank. I have a 240 glass 8x2x2 I will have two FX6s on it Id like to have at least a 40 gallon sump. Is this something thats even possible? If so lets see your setups and ideas. I dont want to waste my time with small planter boxes Id rather have a proper setup thats visually appealing. Do any of you know where to purchase one?

 

[duanes]

First off, you don't need to take a tank down to drill it, I have drilled a number of them, almost full with fish inside, and also empty.
The process is the same.
Just drop the water level to where the holes are to be.
I usually drill just a few inches below the rim, and drill inside to out, using a hose for cooling water for the diamond bit, with hose water flowing into the tank, over the bit and place for the hole.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/i97/dstuer/Drilling/.highres/016_zps901d78a3.jpg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds

But
if you're not comfortable drilling that's a different matter. Or if your tank is made of tempered glass, and can't be drilled.
As far as overhead sumps go, I have done many. Some totally overhead, some half way between.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/i97/dstuer/plants/papyrus/.highres/081.jpg?width=450&height=278&crop=fill

I just use small tanks and drill them, put them in window boxes, or just elevated, because I like to plant them heavily to help mitigate nitrates.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/i97/dstuer/plants/papyrus/.highres/fractionation082213030_zpsc0456762.jpg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds

Below is a commercial type sump that came with a tank I bought used, it is elevated so after water passes thru mechanical and bio media, and empties into a 125 gallon heavily planted sump/refugium.

Below a long shot of the refugium the small sump empties into.

 

[aussieman57]

What species of plants do best in these setups?

 

[duanes]

What species of plants do best in these setups?

I like bog plants,
anything from Papyrus, to Arrow Arium (Peldantra), to tropical terrestrials like dieffenbachia.

Dieffenbachia on the left above, Papyrus on the right of the refugium.
The only problem with Papyrus is it grow very fast and large, the root ball took up 1/3 of the 125 gal refugium, and had to be regularly hacked back with a machete.

Below Arrow arium (Peltandra sp like P Virginica) close relative of Anubias

I am also experimenting with mangrove trees.
I have heard complaints that they don't suck up enough nitrate. But that may be, because aquarists try only one or two small plants.
In my experiment I have added about a dozen pods to the refugium (jury is still out on nitrate consumption, they are only 12"-15" saplings)

 

[aussieman57]

Thanks.

 

[duanes]

Sorry if I tend to blather,
One of the reasons I use plants so much, is they are multipurpose filtration.
Beneficial bacteria live on the surfaces like stems and roots of plants (just like they do on biomedia) but the plants also consume nitrate (normal filtration does not). I do use some biomedia, but plant volume tends to far exceed the amount of artificial materials.
And then there is the aethsetic value. above and below the surface of the tank/sump/refugium (one reason I don't hide sumps under the main tank.
Beyond simple greenery, some even produce flowers, Peltandra flower below.


Very similar to the flower produced by Anubias (pic below)

https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/i97/dstuer/plants/anubis/flower/.highres/IMG_2729_zps970af41c-1.jpg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds

I also have water lilies growing in the refugium, although I have yet to see them flower.

 

[Iwhoopedbatman]

Above tank sumps work great. I don't have any set up right now, but have. I like them because you don't have to worry about an overhead box failing if your tank isn't drilled. So long as you've got the weight managed (40 gallons is way too heavy to just leave on the lid, especially if you're using a glass tank) the only thing to remember is that when the power goes out, all the excess water is coming into the tank, so bigger isn't necessarily better if you like a high water line in your tank.

 

[Iwhoopedbatman]

*overflow box not overhead.