I want to experiment with building a sump. Unfortunately, none of my tanks are drilled or plumbed for sumps. Can I put a submersible pump in the tank to send water to the sump and a pump at the opposite end of the sump to return the water to the tank?
Sump Question
- Thread starter Cichlid savage II
- Start date
You really probably wouldn't even need a pump just a gravity hose should work. Just like when you are doing water changes, just return it to the sump. If you want something a little more permanent you can always look at getting an overflow box which would allow you to create what you are looking to do without possibly having the hose slip out and the need to drill.
In a word....NO. To achieve what you are proposing you'd need both pumps pumping exactly the same rate of water 24/7. The fact that you'd have head height to contend with on your sump pump compared to no restriction at all on your tank pump would mean that even with variable speed pumps you'd be constantly tweaking their speed. And what if one packs in just leaving the other one running! It's just not feasible.
If you have a sump the most effective way is to have one pump in your sump pumping water up. Then the water in your display tank gravity feeds back down to your sump. Having a drilled tank to start off with always helps with conventional sump systems.
Could I use PVC pipe with 90 degree elbows to rest over the rail of the tank and then some hose into the sump?
This seems like a great idea!
You could also go overhead sump if you don't trust DIY overflows and don't want to drill
An overhead or "dump" filter is the way to go: Basically a pump in the tank pushes water to a container on top of the tank and the water "dumps" back into the tank via gravity.
I have them on most of my large tanks. An actual sump, a rubbermaid bin, a decorative planter or just about anything that holds water can work.
I have them on most of my large tanks. An actual sump, a rubbermaid bin, a decorative planter or just about anything that holds water can work.
