RES tank with pvc overflow sump filter/refugium

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
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hermeticcharm

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Aug 25, 2010
35
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36
Wilmington, DE
Hey guys! First post here for me. I am about to get a 125gal upgrade for my RES and I have been considering building a pvc overflow with a sump filter tank/refugium. I was wondering if set up properly is this enough filtration for a RES? And also is it practical (effectiveness and pricewise) compared to a canister filter?

I was either going to do a 3/4" or 1" pvc overflow down into either a 20L or 30L sump tank. In the sump tank I would have multiple chambers starting with some basic mechanical filtration then a ton of bio media, then a chamber with some live plants and finally the pump chamber running back up into the display tank.

Right now I just have a 55gal with a Cascade1000 canister filter.
 
I think the sump with the overflow will be much easier to use than a canister filter when it comes to turtles. Also it allows for a higher level customization for your turtles specific needs. These are the types of filters I use with all my aquatic turtles. Just my opinion.
 
Cool, thanks for the reply. I have just now come across all this awesome stuff you can do for your tank and this forum has been a great resource! Most of the turtle forums I have come across are really lacking so I came to the fish sites hehe. I was just reading about surface skimmers, would that be a good thing to throw into the sump design? I was thinking it'd be good and they're only like $15.
 
Anything that promotes turnover in the tank is good with turtles, just make sure that it is turtle proof. I have had some of my larger aquatics like S. triporcatus rip filter parts right off of the tank turning turning rigid filter tubes into plastic scrap.
 
I think in the end you'll want a canister or hob in addition, to take care of most of your mechanical filtration. But using a sump with a lot of bio will keep your ammonia cycled and you won't have any smell issues.

I assume you're planning to fill it to the top and do some kind of over-tank basking platform? Otherwise the overflow won't really work well...if you go that route a decent hob like a ac110 will help. If not then it would have to be a cansiter.
 
Yeah I am gonna make a custom canopy for over tank basking to give em the highest water volume possible. So the sump filter isn't really so great at doing mechanical filtering? I guess that makes sense since it will be draining water from the surface and most of the crap will be floating mid-tank or on the bottom.

So I could do the overflow/sump full of bio media and then the canister for mechanical?
 
I have built a totally DIY sump for my 120gallon turtle tank an it works great!! i have a 600gph pump in the sump and i also have to HOBs that do 150gph. i get around a 7/8x turnover rate. i would absolutely use a sump as they can be customized with your own media and the bio capacity is huge!!:headbang2

you can look at some of my threads for ideas.
LOL. i always watched Bauribob's videos before i got my 120gallon turtle tank. that tank is like a dream tank for me. LOL anyways, good luck!!!:D
 
I just called a local aquarium shop and just found out that they do custom tanks. In fact they are in the process of making a 900 gallon shark tank. I didn't get an estimate from them but would any one know about how much a tank like the one in that video would be to make? I'm guessing it's not cheap but I am wondering about how much "not cheap" would be. Under $1000 or over?

Edit: I just called them back and they said for a glass 200 gallon at about 6ft length drilled would be about the $1000 mark. I originally said 8ft but they said at that length they have to start using thicker glass which would bump the price up a lot and it'd be well over $2000. Anyone have any experience with custom tank builders and do these prices sound about right?
 
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