Sumps

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jaws7777

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Mar 1, 2014
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Guys can anyone help me understand how they work ? How do you figure out the pumps size ? Can it be done with out drilling ? What size should the sump be ? If it can be done with out drilling how do you get the water to flow between the sump and tank and also avoid siphoning out the tank and having a flood during a power outtage ?

The tank would be something like 210 gals
 
I would say sump size, should be as big as u can fit into Ur stand and not too high that you can't clean the sump.. so bigger the better so when power outrage you don't have to worry about flooding the are.. if you don't like drilling the tank than use the hang on back overflow box setup..that's why bigger the sump the better.. no calculation involve..
 
Thanks soupa....what are the best overflow boxes out there ? What about pump size ? Are there any kits available with a pump and box along with what i would need to connect them to the sump ? If not how would they be connected ?
 
Pm sent davenmandy


Another stupid question how does debris make its way into the sump if the overflow is on the surface ?

Im quite embarrassed with these idiotic questions but what the hell im lost
 
I always aim for a sump that is atleast 1/3 of the dispay size. I aim for 5-7x turn over between the sump and display, but pump size has to match the gph of the overflow.

You can buy HOB overflow boxes, but I would just drill. Glassholes sells complete kits, bulkheads, drill bits, internal overflow boxes, and they even throw in some candy. With HOB overflows you always have to worry about losing the siphon. I ran a HOB for 3yrs without an issue but hard plumbed gave me a better piece of mind. Sumps can be very elaborate or very simple. I go simple and use open tanks with matala mat or other pond filter mats as dividers. Its cheap and gives a lot flexibility.
This is my 29g sump for my 120, I used filter socks for mechanical filters and matala mat for dividers and extra bio
20150721_202513.jpg

This is my 40g long sump for my 125. I used filter socks for mechanical filters and pond mat for dividers and extra bio.
20150721_202440.jpg



Looks like I really need to clean my sump on the 120.
 
Hang on back overflow boxes and DIY pvc HOB overflows work but they cant handle a great amount. Its worth it to drill the tank or get a reef ready tank.

When I got my sump I was wondering how it would suck up debris with the teath being on top. Tbh, I dont know how it does it but the sponges in my wet/dry turn dark brown in a week of no cleaning.

As for pump size I try and run it at least 6x the tank not including the sump. On my 300 gallon with a 75 gallon sump, I run a 2,400 gph pump with no issues (water quality wise).

Before I got a sump I didnt really realize why everybody loved them so much but after owning a sump for just over a month, I can honestly say, from now on all of my large tanks (100+ gallons) will have a sump of some kind. They are so easy to work with and they are so effective and customisable.
 
welsher7 said:
I always aim for a sump that is atleast 1/3 of the dispay size. I aim for 5-7x turn over between the sump and display, but pump size has to match the gph of the overflow.

You can buy HOB overflow boxes, but I would just drill. Glassholes sells complete kits, bulkheads, drill bits, internal overflow boxes, and they even throw in some candy. With HOB overflows you always have to worry about losing the siphon. I ran a HOB for 3yrs without an issue but hard plumbed gave me a better piece of mind. Sumps can be very elaborate or very simple. I go simple and use open tanks with matala mat or other pond filter mats as dividers. Its cheap and gives a lot flexibility.
This is my 29g sump for my 120, I used filter socks for mechanical filters and matala mat for dividers and extra bio
View attachment 1131078

This is my 40g long sump for my 125. I used filter socks for mechanical filters and pond mat for dividers and extra bio.
View attachment 1131079



Looks like I really need to clean my sump on the 120.
Click to expand...

Thanks for including the pics.. thats a really cool idea using the foam as dividers. I guess i could use poret foam.

Im not handy realistically is the plumbing hard ? If i did frill the tank where would the holes go ?

Would a 75 gal sump be ok for a 210 gal tank ? What size overflow pump would work ?


festaedan said:
Hang on back overflow boxes and DIY pvc HOB overflows work but they cant handle a great amount. Its worth it to drill the tank or get a reef ready tank.

When I got my sump I was wondering how it would suck up debris with the teath being on top. Tbh, I dont know how it does it but the sponges in my wet/dry turn dark brown in a week of no cleaning.

As for pump size I try and run it at least 6x the tank not including the sump. On my 300 gallon with a 75 gallon sump, I run a 2,400 gph pump with no issues (water quality wise).

Before I got a sump I didnt really realize why everybody loved them so much but after owning a sump for just over a month, I can honestly say, from now on all of my large tanks (100+ gallons) will have a sump of some kind. They are so easy to work with and they are so effective and customisable.
Click to expand...

What is it about the sumps you like so much ?
Im getting sold on this idea lol...just think i would completly screw it up. What the wattage your pump draws ?
 
Plumbing is easy. Where the holes go depends on what kind of of overflow you have.

A 75 would work for a 210, and the wattage can vary based on the pump.

Sumps are great because they make maintenance a breeze. Just unplug the filter and pump then Siphon/pump water out of the sump. Refill plug everything back in and you are done. The key making sure you have enough space above and around the sump to work. Working under a cramped stand is horrible.
 
Mhhhh so say i ordered the new tank pre drilled. How do you or they know where to drill the holes. Im looking at either a 180 or 210 aqueon/aga.

Just check out glass-holes and if i had the tank predrilled would this set up work minus the drill bits ? All i would need would be the pump right it comes with all the plumbing ?
 
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