Sump setup/pump suggestions

[predatorkeeper87]

Hey all,

So just a couple quick questions as this will be the first sump I've ever set up without an overflow box already in the tank:

1. What would be the best way to go about using this setup that came in the tank already (I can replace or change this but if I can use it I'd rather not deal with tearing all this apart)----

the tank is a 125, previous owner drilled the tank on the side, has a 1" stand pipe at roughly 6" tall from the bulkhead, no overflow box or anything as this tank was on a drip system so this was utilized as a drain for that and not a sump. the other side of the bulkhead is 1 1/4" and that plumbing is already in place but again I can change it if need be, I slapped a 1 1/4" drain together yesterday. What would be the best way to make a better overflow here? I was thinking of just adding a cap on the stand pipe and cutting teeth into it as I imagine this pipe is going to make a godawful sucking noise. all suggestions welcome here.

2. what pump would you guys suggest? I know I know...google this that and the other but I want to hear what you guys are using. I'd prefer an adjustable flow pump, that way I don't have to dial it back with the ball valve on the line. I'd need it to be a hard line capable pump as well (PVC pipe pump to tank, no hose at all).

thanks guys!

 

[fishguy306]

So just to make sure I understand, there is a hole drilled in on of the ends of the tank for a 1" bulkhead, about 6" down from the surface?

How much water would you like to flow through the tank? If you are going for 10x you are right, the sucking noise is going to be terrible with that set up. Stand pipes are good for a trickle of water, not nearly the flow most of us on here go for. If you are concerned about noise I really would plug that hole and either drill for a proper overflow or maybe look into the hang on the back style.

As for pumps, if you want adjustable, DC is the route to go. Jebao makes the cheapest ones I've found. They are supposed to be pretty quiet as well. That said I've heard they don't tend to be very reliable. So, take that as you will

 

[davenmandy]

Bluewater or Deepwater aquatics (can't remember which one, think deepwater) make a good line of DC pumps, affordable, and allegedly better controllers than the jebao, which I hear is the cause of a lot of failure. I own 2 currently, had one fail within the first couple weeks for purposes of full disclosure, however since replacement have had no issues, so I'm treating it as a fluke. Vector and laguna max flow do well too.

As for your plumbing issues, figure out the type filter schematics first, where you want placement, gravity fed vs. Siphon, etc. And go from there. Id need a better idea of where the hole is, but I would expand the hole to 2 3/8" or whatever is needed for a 1.5" bulkhead, 2" if you want overkill, and just gravity drain, otherwise leave as is and get a ball valve and make a siphon drain, but in that case you'll need more holes.

 

[predatorkeeper87]

So just to make sure I understand, there is a hole drilled in on of the ends of the tank for a 1" bulkhead, about 6" down from the surface?

How much water would you like to flow through the tank? If you are going for 10x you are right, the sucking noise is going to be terrible with that set up. Stand pipes are good for a trickle of water, not nearly the flow most of us on here go for. If you are concerned about noise I really would plug that hole and either drill for a proper overflow or maybe look into the hang on the back style.

As for pumps, if you want adjustable, DC is the route to go. Jebao makes the cheapest ones I've found. They are supposed to be pretty quiet as well. That said I've heard they don't tend to be very reliable. So, take that as you will

bulkhead is roughly 6-7" down, left side of the tank, with a stand pipe sticking up to just about the frame of the tank.

Ok so lets say I take that pipe assembly off and am left with the bulkhead, is there anything I can do without drilling a new hole? or can I create one of those DIY stand pipe overflows with the weir teeth cut into them at the top? still going to be a terrible noise I'd imagine...I may just say screw it and run a couple HOB's on this tank instead...I'm not redrilled 1/2" glass if I don't have to haha.

thanks for the reply! I'll post a pic when I'm home so you can see exactly what I'm dealing with.

 

[predatorkeeper87]

Bluewater or Deepwater aquatics (can't remember which one, think deepwater) make a good line of DC pumps, affordable, and allegedly better controllers than the jebao, which I hear is the cause of a lot of failure. I own 2 currently, had one fail within the first couple weeks for purposes of full disclosure, however since replacement have had no issues, so I'm treating it as a fluke. Vector and laguna max flow do well too.

As for your plumbing issues, figure out the type filter schematics first, where you want placement, gravity fed vs. Siphon, etc. And go from there. Id need a better idea of where the hole is, but I would expand the hole to 2 3/8" or whatever is needed for a 1.5" bulkhead, 2" if you want overkill, and just gravity drain, otherwise leave as is and get a ball valve and make a siphon drain, but in that case you'll need more holes.

I'll take a pic when I get home, its set as a gravity drain right now, I had the extra plumbing to mess with so I rigged it up, I can disassemble no issue.

the way this is sounding I'm probably going to cap it and say screw it lol, I'm not in the game of redrilling 1/2" glass haha. there really isn't much option for this I'm now starting to see.

 

[DN328]

If I understand correctly, you have a hole/bulkhead about 7" down on the side of your tank. Unless the standpipe will be too close to the water surface, it should be fairly quiet with a full siphon. What if you had a 90* PVC coming out with an attached strainer to keep out larger particles.

The other point you'll want to consider is a "stand-by" drain in case the primary does slow down to a point that it's not taking on the return water.

Between Jebao and Deepwater DC pumps, I'd look at the Waveline. There Gen 1 models had issues with the controller, but that has since been resolved. I think they were one of the first to release DC pumps. They are really quiet IMO.

 

[predatorkeeper87]

If I understand correctly, you have a hole/bulkhead about 7" down on the side of your tank. Unless the standpipe will be too close to the water surface, it should be fairly quiet with a full siphon. What if you had a 90* PVC coming out with an attached strainer to keep out larger particles.

The other point you'll want to consider is a "stand-by" drain in case the primary does slow down to a point that it's not taking on the return water.

Between Jebao and Deepwater DC pumps, I'd look at the Waveline. There Gen 1 models had issues with the controller, but that has since been resolved. I think they were one of the first to release DC pumps. They are really quiet IMO.

you do understand correctly, that's exactly how it is. but if the sump is functioning correctly, the water should always be fairly close to the edge of the standpipe, otherwise the pump is outrunning the drain and that's a whole new issue haha.

so you think have a 90 elbow running basically parallel with the water surface? Am I picturing what you mean correctly?

 

[davenmandy]

Don't worry about drilling 1/2" glass man, you're much less likely to crack that then 1/4". I personally would think it through and set it up exactly 100% the way you want it now before it's up and going and you hate yourself for not taking an extra day or two or drilling an extra hole. Personally I have only ever run gravity drains but noise doesn't bother me.

If noise is what you are primarily concerned with, buy a cheap as can be cracked tank from used classifieds and silicone in an overflow box. Then you don't even gotta worry about where the bulkhead is really. Sorry I gotta disagree with you, there is plenty of options with it man, including capping it off and doing whatever the hell else you want, but honestly drilling it one way or the other will make your life easier down the road.

 

[DN328]

you do understand correctly, that's exactly how it is. but if the sump is functioning correctly, the water should always be fairly close to the edge of the standpipe, otherwise the pump is outrunning the drain and that's a whole new issue haha.

so you think have a 90 elbow running basically parallel with the water surface? Am I picturing what you mean correctly?

I was actually thinking that the return pump was at a rate where it would put the top/opening of the 90* under enough water (~6") to create a full siphon, BUT not overflow your tank. You could experiment and test this to see the thresholds. Just don't walk away when testing. If the 90* was only "skimming" the surface, or, near that, I don't think that may be enough to keep up with your return - at least not the turnover you want. I've not used stand-pipe without an overflow box, but I believe it's the same concepts here.

You'll also want to consider much water will drain to your sump WHEN the return pump is off and that your sump can handle the backflow. Also, you will want to have a back up drain, IMO.

 

[jaws7777]

you do understand correctly, that's exactly how it is. but if the sump is functioning correctly, the water should always be fairly close to the edge of the standpipe, otherwise the pump is outrunning the drain and that's a whole new issue haha.

so you think have a 90 elbow running basically parallel with the water surface? Am I picturing what you mean correctly?

What did you end up doing ? Drilling or capping ? I had to use eshopps hob overflows drilling wasnt an option