Building a Sump

Gujustud · #1 01-01-2004, 12:35 AM

Thanks to Chad I picked up a 20g glass aquarium to use as a sump on my new tank.

Although I probably won't be using it for a while (till my stand is made) I figured I'd start working on it.

I've been reading a ton on what a sump is, and looked at tons of DIY around the net. Tons of good info.

My tank (38g) is mainly going to be FOWLR, very little coral, and if any, a few months down the road.

In that case, I'm wondering what I should add to my sump? Do I need a fuge? I've read so many different ideas, I really don't know what I should add/need?

Also I've read mix things between adding acrylic walls in a glass tank? Good/bad?

I've been looking at the 3 picture down on this page.

Gujustud · #2 01-01-2004, 12:38 AM

Oh, I should also mention, i'm looking at building my own skimmer shortly. I've got access to CNC machines at my dad's shop, so I should be able to make one fairly quickly (at least cutting everything out). Only thing is that i'm not sure on the right size yet (still reading up on them).

BCOrchidGuy · #3 01-06-2004, 08:43 PM

I don't like the refugium in the sump idea, but if you mean a DSB calupera farm sure you can keep that in your sump. A refugium in my opinion is where you put critters to keep them isolated from other critters, it's a great place for shrimp etc to spawn. It's not a place for sick fish, but if a fish is being a bully or being bullied it's a good place for that.
A sump in my mind is somewhere you put your filtration equipment, skimmer, heater etc.. btw, before you start to glue things in, make sure your heater will fit in.. my first sump I was soooooo proud of was great it had this that and the other thing.. then when I went to put my heater in... it didn't fit, I had to start all over again...

I've used 20 gallon glass aquariums with out any trouble for a sump, right now I'm using a 15, I use acrylic panels and simply silicone them in, I've never had any trouble with that. The third pic is kind of cool and is not much different than what I use but, I don't think it's entirely clear what goes on in there... See the egg crate sections.. that's where the water comes in, there is a filter pad there, great idea, that second one below should be where you can put charcoal etc if you're going to use it. That means the top one has to be removable... then the water goes into that holding area where it flows over the top of the next piece of glass and out UNDER the last piece of glass, That's were you'd insert some foam filter media. I build my sumps to use aquaclear 500 foams.. I like the size of them and they are cheap.. $5.99 The last section is where you're heater and return pump goes. You could put a sand bed in the section before the foams if you wanted, keep that on a light cycle that goes opposite your tank light cycle and that should help stabilize your pH etc in your tank.

Doug

Gujustud · #4 01-06-2004, 11:07 PM

Sweet! Thanks for the great info! Good call on not having the fuge in the sump.

I'm working on making a HOT fuge for now, which I make make to fit onto the outside of the sump later on, who knows, I may change the idea.

Where does one get egg crate from around here? I was thinking about just getting some acrylic and just drilling, or putting some slots in it. Btw, is it a good idea, to make some space for bio balls (I'm just reading up on them now.

mark · #5 01-06-2004, 11:50 PM

Check out the picture of the fuge on the side here:
http://members.shaw.ca/reefs/dez/'

LostMind · #6 01-07-2004, 01:02 AM

Hey man,

You can pick up eggcrate at home depot, revy, etc. Just about all lighting stores will have it as well. Its the stuff used to diffuse light from flourescent lights in offices, etc.

I think most people shy away from bioballs because everyone is afraid they will turn into nitrate factories by collecting too much detritus.

BCOrchidGuy · #7 01-07-2004, 02:59 AM

Here's a pic of my sump, nice and simple, the water comes in where the sand is, overflows down through the sponge and out into where the heater and return pump sit. You can see the float valve that is my auto fresh water top off.
http://www.canreef.com/photopost/sho....php?photo=336

Doug

IluvHockey · #8 01-08-2004, 04:49 AM

Hey Gujustud, I am also a starting newbie. Just wondering what kinda of overflow you are using? I ended up getting a used setup with a CPR overflow. I am not too keen on using it, as if the siphon fails I will get flooded. But since I have not got water in it yet, I was figuring that might as well make an internal one if I can. I like your documentation so far on your project. Nice to know someone else is starting at the same time.

Gujustud · #9 01-08-2004, 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IluvHockey

Hey Gujustud, I am also a starting newbie. Just wondering what kinda of overflow you are using? I ended up getting a used setup with a CPR overflow. I am not too keen on using it, as if the siphon fails I will get flooded. But since I have not got water in it yet, I was figuring that might as well make an internal one if I can. I like your documentation so far on your project. Nice to know someone else is starting at the same time.

Thanks! I haven't setup my overflow yet. I'm actually working on making one, that looks like the cpr. However I figure that if I keep my water level at a certain level in the tank, in the case the siphon fails, and the pump pushes all the water in my tank, there should be enough for it not to overflow.