Sumps

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Subscribed. I enjoy the planning and execution of sump and things in/under the stand.

Keep researching, and come back with any questions on sump and plumbing designs. There are some key things to consider, but many ways to skin this cat...fish...LOL.

If I were you and getting custom, take advantage of that and plan for possible internal overflow and predrilled holes. Sure you could do it after the fact, but I'm in favor if planning ahead and incorporating into the build.
 
I just recently set up my first tank with a sump. Was a bit spooked to do it, but glad I did! Couple things I wish I would do differently if I had it to do over....
I should've studied up on the different style overflow set ups more. In the end, I chose to go with a herbie style drain (very happy with btw). But if I thought about it I would've had one of the drain holes cut bigger and planned out where I wanted my return line better.

Being my first sump, I chose to buy mine from Glass Cages with the tank. It's a 38 gallon sump for a 150 gallon tank. After looking at it, it I realize it would be pretty easy to duplicate and would've saved myself a few hundred dollars. With that said, it was one less thing to deal with when I was already stepping into uncharted territory with running a sump in the first place. If I was to do it again, I'd build my own and make it bigger. I have limited space for the tank, but want/need as much volume as possible. I could've fit a 75 under the stand.
 
slippery slimecoat said:
it was one less thing to deal with when i was strpping into uncharted territory.
Click to expand...

I have to admit thats what i was thinking too. If you have time can you take a vid of how yours is set up and plumbed.
Maybe i can build a small sump just to get a feel for how it would go with a large tanks design.

I have a 20 gal laying around that i could make a sump out of or can just go by a cheap 10 gal. Us it on my 75 gal. But i would have to go with a hob overflow.

If i did a practice sump like mentioned above the main diferrence would that for the "real" sump there would be plumbing involved ?
 
Some questions. Please excuse my terminology as i have zero knowledge of plumbing.

Would it be ok to use plexiglass for baffles in the sump ?

What aquarium safe silicone should i use ?
What stops the tank from losing siphon during wc's ? Im guess a valve of some sort.
Im a power outtage what stops the tank from being emptied if the holes are drilled on the ottom of the tank and the overflows are internal ?

I wanna build a smaller version of what i will eventually build for the larger tank that being said maybe a 20 gal would be too small i also have a 30 gal i could use. Today im gonna try and draw up some sort of design would you guys mind critiquing it ?
 
i personally would never use acrylic for baffles.. they warp.. unless using thicker but if that's the case than why waste the space in sump..
i just went to Home Depot and brought GE 1 silicon.. do a search on here about silicon and you'll find lots of info
i'm not sure what kinda of setup (drainage) are you intend to do so can't answer..
well here if you're setup the drain on the bottom of the tank than you have to cut a PVC and stick the drainage pipe up to certain amount so water won;'t drain out your display tank..
i would definitly take some time and put things into paper or have it in your head.. i just got one of my friend to buy a used 300DD from craigslist and right away when he go home and started to ask his buddy to glue the setup back together.. after a long day picking up the setup and late into the night (11PM) glueing the tank up.. next day i saw him and he had to rip everything back out because stupid mistakes... my rule of thumb is NEVER rush but plan ahead.. are you going to use a UV in your setup?? if so plan for that also..
 
Silicone doesn't adhere to acrylic well. GE1 will be fine for a sump, just make sure it is not the one with mould protection or inhibitors, just 100% silicone with no additives or it may leach. SCS1200 is probably the best silicone around, but it may be too heavy duty for what you need if the price is too high in your area. If the difference is negligible go SCS1200 or RTV108 as you will never have to worry.

Buy a cracked tank off used classifieds for cheap. Make sure it is thin glass, watch a couple youtube videos on how to score and break glass, and that will be your cheapest option.

Consider building a new 2x4 tank for your stand with a lot of room. This way you can make the tank eye level which is neat, you have a lot more room to play with plumbing, and you don't cause bruises on your hand everytime you have to squeeze in and reach into the sump like millerkid519 millerkid519
 
jaws7777 said:
Some questions. Please excuse my terminology as i have zero knowledge of plumbing.

Would it be ok to use plexiglass for baffles in the sump ?

What aquarium safe silicone should i use ?
What stops the tank from losing siphon during wc's ? Im guess a valve of some sort.
Im a power outtage what stops the tank from being emptied if the holes are drilled on the ottom of the tank and the overflows are internal ?

I wanna build a smaller version of what i will eventually build for the larger tank that being said maybe a 20 gal would be too small i also have a 30 gal i could use. Today im gonna try and draw up some sort of design would you guys mind critiquing it ?
Click to expand...

Aside from the "proof of concept", you should draw out your tank and the sump underneath. Even if it's free hand, sketch how you envision the plumbing will run. If you decide to run all PVC, make sure you map out the most efficient piping. That is, you can still easily access, but yet out of the way so that you can easily access your sump/chambers without hitting them. I used all PVC as well, and it's less forgiving than tubes so you'll want to think through. You can see in my avatar, I had to account for Herbie with 3 drains, as well as a closed loop circulation. Every tank/sump combination is different, but I can provide better detailed pictures to get the ideas flowing. I'm sure there are plenty of others willing to share plumbing ideas as well.
 
Dude, just don't put baffles at all. I don't have any baffles in my sump--don't want em. My sump has filter socks, pumps, bags of bio-media, and a rubber ducky floating on top (for good luck). All in one big tank. No chambers, no baffles, nothing.

Problem with canisters on a tank that big is the cost. You'll need 2-3 big canister filters with the media--that ain't cheap. My Eheim 2262 was $500, it's on a 125. 2 of those would be $1000? Nah, a sump and some PVC pipe/fittings, maybe a cheap table saw to cut the pipe real quick and square, you're WAY under $400. Filter socks are $10 a piece? All you need now is a way to mount the filter sock holders--maybe some aquarium magnets to stick 'em on the side? Or you MAY be able to just hang 'em off the PVC drain runs if you run 'em right?

This right here is all I needed to build mine-- http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/300-gallon-sa-ce-community-build-thread.423425/

He shows how/why he used magnets for his filter sock holders...
 
And you don't have to do Herbies, either. I'd tell them to drill the tank with 4 drains just so you could do it later, but at first, you could just run Durso's. I saw a youtube video a guy got his to run almost totally silent. You just put a cap on a piece of PVC and regulate how much air goes in the hole you drill in the cap with a little plastic needle valve and piece of airline hose. That's $10.
 
davenmandy said:
Silicone doesn't adhere to acrylic well. GE1 will be fine for a sump, just make sure it is not the one with mould protection or inhibitors, just 100% silicone with no additives or it may leach. SCS1200 is probably the best silicone around, but it may be too heavy duty for what you need if the price is too high in your area. If the difference is negligible go SCS1200 or RTV108 as you will never have to worry.

Buy a cracked tank off used classifieds for cheap. Make sure it is thin glass, watch a couple youtube videos on how to score and break glass, and that will be your cheapest option.

Consider building a new 2x4 tank for your stand with a lot of room. This way you can make the tank eye level which is neat, you have a lot more room to play with plumbing, and you don't cause bruises on your hand everytime you have to squeeze in and reach into the sump like millerkid519 millerkid519
Click to expand...
Ya I only have 3 1/2" between my sump and stand not the nicest to maintain

1453491144796.jpg
 
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