Weird "sump" idea, overly complicated?

[MikeyM]

Hello,

So I have 2 canister filters, 2 HOB's and a spare tank. I'm not a fan of having a bunch of crap hanging off the back of my tank so I thought up this overly complicated plan with the items I have on hand. The tank that this would be filtering is a 65g.

The advantages I can see would be, eliminating the heater and one pick up tube, extra filtering via the HOB's and increasing the water capacity by 10g or so.

now keep in mind this would only cost me the amount for the plumbing from the tank.

I'd like to know what you guys think, good idea or pointless idea?

 

[jcardona1]

Buy a submersible pump. Dilemma solved.

 

[jcardona1]

And it won't work because the inlet for canister filters is gravity-fed, then pumped OUT. You have the canister filters level with the "sump", and the water be fed in properly. That's why canister filters go under the tank, not next to it.

 

[MikeyM]

And it won't work because the inlet for canister filters is gravity-fed, then pumped OUT. You have the canister filters level with the "sump", and the water be fed in properly. That's why canister filters go under the tank, not next to it.

I knew there was a reason it wouldn't work, keep if mind though that it was just a crappy sketch done up in paint and not meant to be accurate to that extent. If I was some how able to mount the tank above the canisters would this setup be functional?


oh and I wouldn't mind building a sump, this is just an idea I had to utilize the items I had on hand. aside from the $20 for the plumbing this would be free.

Thanks for the input.

 

[brich999]

U can use the HOB just make sure the intake is toward the bottom, but the canisters can't replace a pump.

 

[jcardona1]

I knew there was a reason it wouldn't work, keep if mind though that it was just a crappy sketch done up in paint and not meant to be accurate to that extent. If I was some how able to mount the tank above the canisters would this setup be functional?


oh and I wouldn't mind building a sump, this is just an idea I had to utilize the items I had on hand. aside from the $20 for the plumbing this would be free.

Thanks for the input.

If you raise the tank and put the 'sump' above the canisters it should work. It would almost be like a tiered tank system plumbed together, with one flowing into the other. Too complicated for my tastes though. I think the KISS principle applies here

 

[billm90]

You know I have all that stuff you do. canistors, HOB.... and a DIY wet dry

I would opt to just keep it all simple. if you are going to plumb in an overflow and return, go to walmart and get a storage container with drawers, and make a wet/dry.
I have my canistors still in my tank where they can get the large floating crap out of the tank/ vs what is left over in a sump.

If having things in the tank bother you, you could try to make an overflow box that just hides the pickups and returns, but does not actually dump water out of the tank. Keep in mind you will need to think it out pretty good.

I have been thinking about making a very complicated overflow/return/co2 pump reactor/canistor filter intake and return box. 10 pounds of crap in a 6x6" box. lol

Basically my point is this. If you are getting water to come out of your tank, why not take advantage of gravtiy and filter it on the way down?

 

[MikeyM]

yea i guess it would be best to just build an actual wet/dry sump. not every idea is a good one, no harm no foul i guess.

going back to the drip trey method, how effective is it compared to wet/dry system? As of right now I have limied space below the tank because of a divider in the stand. I'm trying to find a reasonably price 140g-200g tank for my growing CA/SA Cichlids, apparentely not an easy task up here.

 

[billm90]

I used rubber made tubs, and drilled holes with bulk heads to connect 3 of them under my 180g. I had to do this to get in-between the 3 legs on the front of my stand.

 

[KaiserSousay]

good idea or pointless idea?

You`ve been around long enough to know the answer to that.