sump overflow the works (havent started yet)

[EDM]

Ok, after doing some more research i have decided on making am over flow (so i don't have to drill my tank) and a sump for my fish tank. The sump will be for either a 150 gallon (72"x26"x18") or 180 gallon (72"x24"x20") tank. I have pretty solid ideas as how I'm going to set up the actual sump ill post a little drawing later. As for the over flow i don't really know what size tubing i should use or how i will go about it( ideas, pictures, explanations, what ever appreciated for over flow). The pump also really don't know what ill looking for here either interns of GPH or any thing really. Oh, also i don't know what size tank i should use for the sump. Some thing i don't really under stand is how to prevent over flowing in the sump in case of the pump failing or some thing like that, if any one would care to explain that part it would be very helpful. i have read so much all ready and tiered of looking at so much crap that pops up in google searched so i decided to post here and make it a bit easyer on me. All and any help will be appreciated.

Thank you all,
EDM

 

[cypher1024]

As for the over flow i don't really know what size tubing i should use or how i will go about it( ideas, pictures, explanations, what ever appreciated for over flow).

The best place to start is this thread and this thread.

The pump also really don't know what ill looking for here either interns of GPH or any thing really.

Generally with a sump you're looking for about 3 - 6 turnovers/hour (i.e. if you have a 150 gallon tank, you want a pump that can do between 450 - 900 gallons/hour). Keep in mind that all pumps are rated at 'zero head' (i.e. when the pump doesn't have to pump the water up at all.) As soon as it starts having to pump the water vertially (e.g. from a sump back up to your tank), the flow rate drops. This is where pump curves are handy. All of that stuff is dicussed in detail in this thread.

Oh, also i don't know what size tank i should use for the sump.

Most people seem to go for a tank that's around 1/4 to 1/5 of the size of your display tank. The size isn't super critical, becuase its effectiveness also depends a lot on how you design it (i.e. how much media it contains).

Some thing i don't really under stand is how to prevent over flowing in the sump in case of the pump failing or some thing like that, if any one would care to explain that part it would be very helpful.

If you've built a proper overflow, it will stop flowing when the water level in the dispay tank gets below a certain level (i.e. when the pump shuts off). You just need to make sure that you have enough room in the sump to cope with the water that will flow into it between when the pump shuts off and when the overflow stops flowing.

Also, if your return pipe (from the pump to the display tank) goes underwater in the display tank, drill a hole just beneath the waterline to prevent the return line from becoming a siphon when the pump shuts off.

 

[Pharaoh]

I agree. ^^^^

 

[hybridtheoryd16]

I agree. ^^^^

x2

 

[EDM]

thanks ill read that